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Microsoft public symbol server

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The Microsoft public symbol server is fully operational.

Report any known issues to windbgfb@microsoft.com.

The Microsoft public symbol server provides free access to Windows debugger symbols, enabling developers to debug Windows applications efficiently. This service allows you to configure symbol paths that automatically download and cache debugging symbols from Microsoft's servers.

Use this guide to quickly set up your symbol server connection and start debugging. You'll learn how to configure paths, cache symbols locally for faster access, and troubleshoot common issues.

Access the symbol server

You can refer directly to the public symbol server in your symbol path in a number of different ways, described in Symbol path for Windows debuggers.

Quick start options:

For example, to set the _NT_SYMBOL_PATH environment value, use this command:

set _NT_SYMBOL_PATH=srv*DownstreamStore*https://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols

DownstreamStore must specify a directory on your local computer or network that the debugger uses to cache symbols. This downstream store holds symbols that the debugger accessed. Most symbols that you never access remain on the symbol store at Microsoft. This storage process keeps your downstream store relatively small and allows the symbol server to work quickly, only downloading each file once.

To avoid typing this long symbol path, use the .symfix (Set symbol store path) command. The following command appends the public symbol store to your existing symbol path:

.symfix+ C:\MySymbols

If you omit the local symbol cache location, the sym subdirectory of the debugger installation directory is used.

Use the .sympath (Set symbol store path) command to display the full symbol path. The following example shows how to use symfix to create a local symbol cache and use the Microsoft http symbol server.

0: kd> .symfix c:\MyCache
0: kd> .sympath
Symbol search path is: srv*
Expanded Symbol search path is: cache*c:\MyCache;SRV*https://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols

For more information about working with symbols, see Using a Symbol Server and Symbol path for Windows debuggers.

The public symbol server only supports TLS 1.2+ for https connections.

Microsoft license terms - Microsoft symbol server

Microsoft makes certain symbols, binary code, and other executables available through the Microsoft symbol server. Use these resources to debug and test your software with Microsoft software. Don't use these resources without authorization. For more information, see the Microsoft license terms - Microsoft symbol server.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter connection issues, verify your network supports TLS 1.2+ and check your firewall settings.

Next steps

Now that you've configured the Microsoft public symbol server, explore these related topics to enhance your debugging workflow:

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