The easiest way to get Windows symbols is to use the
Microsoft Symbol Server. The symbol server makes symbols available to your debugging tools as needed. After a symbol file is downloaded from the symbol server, it is cached on the local computer for quick access.
If you prefer to download the entire set of symbols for Windows 8.1 Preview, Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Windows 2000, then you can download a symbol package and install it on your computer.
Before downloading and installing each symbol package, you should have at least 1 GB of disk space free, because of the size of the download package and required temporary files:
Each x86 symbol package may require 750 MB or more of hard disk space.
Each Itanium symbol package may require 560 MB or more of disk space.
Each x64 symbol package may require 640 MB or more.
Symbol packages are non-cumulative unless otherwise noted, so if you are using an SP2 Windows release, you will need to install the symbols for the original RTM version and for SP1 before you install the symbols for SP2.
Installation Instructions
The symbol download packages are listed by processor type (x86, Itanium, and x64) and build type (retail and checked). Almost all customers require the symbols for the retail version. If you are debugging a special version of Windows with extra debugging information, then you should download the symbols for the checked version.
Windows XP and later and Windows Server 2003 and later do not require localized symbols in order to debug localized versions of the product. Each symbol download package for these versions of Windows works for debugging all localized versions.
Feedback- We are interested in your feedback about symbols. Please mail suggestions or bug reports to
windbgfb@microsoft.com. Technical support is not available from this address, but your feedback will help us to plan future changes for symbols and will make them more useful to you in the future.
Windows 8 Release Preview and Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate
These packages contain the full set of symbols required to debug Windows 8 Release Preview and Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate, released May 31, 2012.
Windows 8 Consumer Preview and Windows Server 8 Beta Symbols
These packages contain the full set of symbols required to debug the Windows 8 Consumer Preview and the Windows Server 8 Beta, released February 29, 2012.
These packages contain the full set of symbols required to debug the Windows Developer Preview and the Windows Server Developer Preview released at the BUILD conference, September 13, 2011.
Windows Server 2008 SP2 SymbolsThese packages contain the full set of symbols required to debug Windows Server 2008 with Service Pack 2.Note: These packages also contain the full set of symbols required to debug Windows Vista SP2.
Windows Server 2008 RTM/SP1 symbolsThese packages contain the full set of symbols required to debug Windows Server 2008 RTM.Note: These packages also contain the full set of symbols required to debug Windows Vista SP1 RTM.
These packages contain the full set of symbols required to debug Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2. The symbols for Windows Server 2003 have been modified to match the updated files that are in the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2.
Note: The Windows Server 2003 SP2 x64-based symbols packages also apply to Windows XP x64 Edition.
Reduced download size: Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
These packages are a smaller download size than the full set of Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2 symbols. They contain only the symbols for the files that ship with the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2. If you already have the Windows Server 2003 symbols installed, you can install these to the same location and you will have a full set of Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2 symbols.
These packages contain the full set of symbols required to debug Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1. The symbols for Windows Server 2003 have been modified to match the updated files that are in the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1.
Note: The Windows Server 2003 SP1 x64-based symbols packages also apply to Windows XP x64 Edition.
Reduced download size: Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1
These packages are a smaller download size than the full set of Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 symbols. They contain only the symbols for the files that ship with the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1. If you already have the Windows Server 2003 symbols installed, you can install these to the same location and you will have a full set of Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 symbols.
These packages contain the full set of symbols required to debug Windows XP with Service Pack 3. The symbols for Windows XP have been modified to match the updated files that are in the Windows XP Service Pack 3.
These packages are a smaller download size than the full set of Windows XP with Service Pack 3 symbols. They contain only the symbols for the files that ship with the Windows XP Service Pack 3. If you already have the Windows XP symbols installed, you can install these to the same location and you will have a full set of Windows XP with Service Pack 3 symbols.
These packages contain the full set of symbols required to debug Windows XP with Service Pack 2. The symbols for Windows XP have been modified to match the updated files that are in the Windows XP Service Pack 2.
These packages are a smaller download size than the full set of Windows XP with Service Pack 2 symbols. They contain only the symbols for the files that ship with the Windows XP Service Pack 2. If you already have the Windows XP symbols installed, you can install these to the same location and you will have a full set of Windows XP with Service Pack 2 symbols.
Windows XP with Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 1a symbols
These packages contain the full set of symbols required to debug Windows XP with Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 1a applied. The symbols for Windows XP have been modified to match the updated files that are in the Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 1a.
Reduced download size: Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 1a symbols
These packages are a smaller download size than the full set of Windows XP with Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 1a symbols. They contain only the symbols for the files that ship with the Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 1a. If you already have the Windows XP symbols installed, you can install these to the same location and you will have a full set of Windows XP with Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 1a symbols.
The links below will either download the symbols package, or take you to sites that have information about downloading Windows 2000 symbols.
Windows 2000 Symbols. Files required for debugging Windows 2000.
Click here to download (Download size: 98 MB)
Windows 2000 Service Pack 4. To install additional symbols introduced with Service Pack 4, select the language that you want to download in the drop down box below and then click on the link that says "Click here to download". To obtain a complete set of symbols, you need to first install the Windows 2000 symbols, and then install the Service Pack 4 symbols.
Select language: (Download size: 72 MB)
If you have a special version of Service Pack 4 with extra debugging information, then you should download the symbols for the checked version. To download the English checked version of Service Pack 4,
Click Here (Download size: 66 MB).
Update Rollup 1 for Windows 2000 SP4. To install additional symbols introduced with the Update Rollup 1 for Windows 2000 SP4, select the language that you want to download in the drop down box below and then click on the link that says "Click here to download". To obtain a complete set of symbols, you need to first install the Windows 2000 symbols, and then install the Service Pack 4 symbols, and then install the Update Rollup 1 for Windows 2000 SP4 symbols.
Select language: (Download size: 22 MB)
Windows 2000 Service Pack 3. To install additional symbols introduced with Service Pack 3, select the language that you want to download in the drop down box below and then click on the link that says "Click here to download". To obtain a complete set of symbols, you need to first install the Windows 2000 symbols, and then install the Service Pack 3 symbols.
Select language: (Download size: 67 MB)
If you have a special version of Service Pack 3 with extra debugging information, then you should download the symbols for the checked version. To download the English checked version of Service Pack 3,
Click Here.
Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 Symbols. To install additional symbols introduced with Service Pack 2, select the language that you want to download in the drop down box below and then click on the link that says "Click here to download". To obtain a complete set of symbols, you need to first install the Windows 2000 symbols, and then install the Service Pack 2 symbols.
Select language: (Download size: 70 MB)
Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 Security Rollup Package 1. To install additional symbols introduced with the Service Pack 2 Security Rollup Package 1, select the language that you want to download in the drop down box below and then click on the link that says "Click here to download". To obtain a complete set of symbols, you need to first install the Windows 2000 symbols, and then install the Service Pack 2 symbols, and then install the Security Rollup Package 1 symbols.
Select language: (Download size: 19 MB)
* Windows 2000 Service Pack 1 Symbols - To install additional symbols introduced with Service Pack 1, select the language that you want to download in the drop down box below and then click on the link that says "Click here to download". To obtain a complete set of symbols, you need to first install the Windows 2000 symbols, and then install the Service Pack 1 symbols.
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