Welcome to the Windows Driver Debugging documentation. This section provides essential information and tools for developers to diagnose and resolve issues within Windows drivers.

Introduction to Driver Debugging

Debugging kernel-mode drivers is critical for stability and performance. This guide covers the fundamental concepts, tools, and techniques required for effective driver debugging.

Key Concepts

  • Kernel Debugging vs. User-Mode Debugging
  • Debugging Tools (WinDbg, KD)
  • Debugging Techniques (Breakpoints, Stack Traces, Memory Inspection)
  • Driver Verifier
  • ETW (Event Tracing for Windows)

Setting Up Kernel Debugging

Learn how to configure your system for kernel debugging using various connection methods, including serial ports, USB, and network connections (KDNET).

Connection Methods

  • Serial Cable Debugging
  • USB 3.0 Debugging (USBNMD)
  • Network Debugging (KDNET)
  • 1394 Debugging (FireWire)

Example: Setting up KDNET

To enable KDNET on a target machine:

bcdedit -debug on
bcdedit -set {dbgsettings} dhcp on
bcdedit -set {dbgsettings} net hostip:YOUR_HOST_IP port:50000

On your host machine, start WinDbg with:

windbg -k net:port=50000,key=YOUR_KEY

Note: Replace placeholders with your actual IP and generated key.

Using WinDbg for Driver Debugging

WinDbg is the primary debugger for Windows drivers. Explore its powerful features for analyzing driver behavior.

Common WinDbg Commands

  • bp (Set Breakpoint)
  • g (Go)
  • kb (Kernel Backtrace)
  • dd, dq (Display Memory)
  • !analyze -v (Analyze Crash)

Advanced Debugging Techniques

  • Breakpoints on specific functions or memory addresses
  • Conditional breakpoints
  • Watchpoints
  • Analyzing crash dumps
  • Debugging driver initialization failures

Debugging Tools and Utilities

Discover other essential tools that complement WinDbg in the driver development lifecycle.