dumpstack.log & dumpstack.log.tmp

Bottom Line: It is 100% safe to delete dumpstack.log and dumpstack.log.tmp. Deleting this file will not harm Windows or your applications in any way.

What is dumpstack.log?

Located directly in the root of your system drive (e.g., C:\dumpstack.log or C:\dumpstack.log.tmp), dumpstack.log is a hidden log file generated by the Windows operating system.

When Windows experiences a system crash, Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), or hardware memory dump, the operating system creates a stack trace log to record what went wrong before writing the full memory dump file (MEMORY.DMP).

In some versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11, a bug causes dumpstack.log.tmp to continuously grow or fail to clear automatically, taking up unnecessary disk space.

Can You Delete dumpstack.log?

✅ Yes, it is completely safe to delete.

• No system risk: This file is merely a diagnostic text log. It does not contain operating system code or critical system settings.
• Auto-regeneration: Windows will recreate a new, clean log file automatically if another crash dump occurs in the future.

How to Delete dumpstack.log

Because dumpstack.log is often marked as a hidden system file or locked by Windows processes, standard deletion might sometimes throw an “Access Denied” error.

Method 1: Standard File Deletion

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\.
2. Ensure hidden items are visible (View > Show > Hidden items).
3. Right-click dumpstack.log (or dumpstack.log.tmp) and click Delete.

Method 2: Force Delete via Command Prompt (If File is Locked)

If Windows says the file is in use:

1. Open Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   del /f /q /a C:\dumpstack.log.tmp
   del /f /q /a C:\dumpstack.log

What Happens After You Delete It?

• You reclaim lost disk space immediately.
• Windows continues to function normally.
• Future system crashes will simply log to a fresh file without issue.

Related Guides

• Learn about deleting MEMORY.DMP crash dumps.
• Check if you can clear [Windows Temp Files].
• Understand how to safely clean CBS.log files.