SymCleanup

SymCleanup is a utility included with some versions of Microsoft Windows, particularly those used for debugging and development. Its primary purpose is to clean up and manage symbol files on a system. Symbol files, often with a .pdb extension, contain debugging information that maps compiled code back to its original source code. This information is crucial for developers when debugging applications or analyzing crash dumps.

Over time, a system can accumulate a large number of symbol files, some of which may become outdated or unnecessary. SymCleanup helps to reduce the disk space occupied by these files by identifying and removing older or redundant symbols. It can be configured to retain a specific number of recent symbol files or to remove symbols older than a certain date, allowing for efficient management of debugging resources.

The tool is typically used in development environments where extensive debugging is common. By keeping symbol caches organized and lean, developers can ensure they are using the correct symbol files for their current projects and avoid the confusion that can arise from a cluttered symbol store. Its use is generally confined to technical users and is not something end-users would typically interact with.