0 ratings0% found this document useful (0 votes) 127 views3 pagesGflag
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content,
claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
3123/24, 8:36 AM Flags - Windows divers | Microsoft Lam
GFlags
Article + 03/08/2023
GFlags, the Global Flags Editor, enables and disables advanced debugging, diagnostic, and
troubleshooting features. It's most often used to turn on indicators that other tools track,
count, and log
Where to get GFlags
GFlags.exe is included in the Debugging Tools for Windows 10 (WinDbg).
After the debugging tools are installed, the 64-bit version of gflags.exe is installed by
default in the following directory.
Console
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Debuggers\x64
If you're running a 32-bit version of Windows, use the 32-bit version of gflags.exe located
here:
Console
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Debuggers\ x86
Overview of GFlags
Driver developers and testers often use GFlags to turn on debugging, logging, and test
features either directly, or by including GFlags commands in a test script. The page heap
verification features can help you to identify memory leaks and buffer errors in kernel-
mode drivers.
GFlags has both a dialog box and a command-line interface. Most features are available
from both interfaces, but some features are accessible from only one of the interfaces. For
more information, see GFlags details.
Features
hitps:leam microsoft comler-usiwindows-hardwareerversidebuggeriaflags234, 86am Fags - Windows dvers| Mirosch Lea
‘* Page heap verification. GFlags now includes the functions of PageHeap
(pageheap.exe), a tool that enables heap allocation monitoring. Pagelieap was
included in previous versions of Windows.
‘* No reboot is required for the Special Pool feature. On Windows Vista and later
versions of Windows, you can enable, disable, and configure the Special Pool feature
without restarting ("rebooting") the computer. For more information, see Special Pool
‘* Object Reference Tracing. A new flag enables tracing of object referencing and object
dereferencing in the kernel. This feature detects when an object reference count is
decremented too many times or not decremented even though an object is no longer
used, This flag is supported only in Windows Vista and later versions of Windows
‘+ New dialog box design. The GFlags dialog box has tabbed pages for easier
navigation.
Requirements
To use most GFlags features, including setting flags in the registry or in kernel mode, or
enabling page heap verification, you must be a member of the Administrator's group on
the computer. However, prior to Windows Vista, users with at least Guest account access
can launch a program from the Global Flags dialog box.
When features don't work, or work differently, on particular operating system versions, the
differences are explained in the description of the feature.
This section includes:
Flags overview
GFlags details
GFlags commands
Flags flag table
GFlags and PageHeap
Global Flags Dialog Box
GFlags Examples
hitps:leam microsoft comler-usiwindows-hardwareerversidebuggeriaflags
2032374, 536 AM Cage -Windons divers | Microsoft Lam
Global Flag Reference
© Note
Incorrect use of this tool can degrade system performance or prevent Windows from
starting, requiring you to reinstall Windows.
© Important
Pool tagging is permanently enabled on Windows Server 2003 and later versions of
Windows, including Windows Vista. On these systems, the Enable pool tagging check
box on the Global Flags dialog box is dimmed, and commands to enable or disable
pool tagging fail
See also
GFlags examples
Global flag reference
Tools included in Debugging Tools for Windows
Feedback
Was this page helpful?
Provide product feedback —_| Get help at Microsoft Q&A
hitps:leam microsoft comler-usiwindows-hardwareerversidebuggeriaflags a