A built-in Windows utility to detect failures in computer memory, testing RAM for errors and helping identify issues with random access memory.
Windows Memory Diagnostic is a memory test utility included in Windows operating systems to help users diagnose potential issues with their computer's random access memory (RAM). It is accessible from the Windows start menu and can be run by booting into the tool before the operating system loads.
The diagnostic performs a series of tests on the RAM, writing different patterns to memory and reading them back to check for errors. It tests the full capacity of RAM installed on the computer to identify any faulty memory cells or corruption issues. The test takes several minutes to complete, with the time varying based on the amount of memory installed.
After finishing the tests, Windows Memory Diagnostic reports whether any errors or problems were detected. If issues are identified, it can indicate failing or improperly seated memory modules. The tool also returns a logging file with detailed information about any errors for advanced troubleshooting.
Running Windows Memory Diagnostic regularly can help identify potential RAM issues before they lead to system crashes or data corruption. While the tool focuses solely on testing memory hardware, detecting RAM problems can improve general system stability and performance. Other more comprehensive diagnostics are required to fully validate all computer components.