How to Use Windows Event Viewer for Event Logs

The Windows Event Viewer is a powerful tool that allows users to view and analyze event logs on their Windows operating system. Event logs provide valuable information and can help diagnose and troubleshoot issues on your computer. In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to use the Windows Event Viewer to effectively navigate and interpret event logs.

Step 1: Opening Windows Event Viewer

To open the Windows Event Viewer, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Type "Event Viewer" into the search bar.
3. Click on the "Event Viewer" app that appears in the search results.

Alternatively, you can also access the Event Viewer by right-clicking on the "Start" button and selecting "Event Viewer" from the power user menu.

Step 2: Navigating Event Viewer

Once the Windows Event Viewer is open, you will see a hierarchical structure on the left-hand side, consisting of different event categories and logs. The main categories include:

• Windows Logs: Contains various logs related to the Windows operating system.
• Applications and Services Logs: Contains logs from specific applications and services installed on your computer.
• Subscriptions: Holds event logs forwarded from other computers or remote systems.

You can expand each category to view the available logs. For example, under "Windows Logs," you will find:

• Application
• Security
• Setup
• System

Selecting any of these logs will display the corresponding event logs in the center pane.

Step 3: Understanding Event Log Entries

When you select a specific event log, such as "Application," the center pane will display a list of event log entries. Each log entry represents a recorded event, such as an error, warning, or informational message. Here are some key details provided for each entry:

• Level: Indicates the severity of the event (e.g., Information, Warning, Error).
• Date and Time: Specifies when the event occurred.
• Source: Displays the source that generated the event (e.g., a specific application or driver).
• Event ID: A unique identifier for the event, enabling easier troubleshooting.
• Task Category: Helps categorize events into different functional areas.
• Keywords: Provides additional information and context for the event.

Step 4: Filtering Event Logs

If you are looking for specific event logs or need to narrow down your search, you can use the Windows Event Viewer's filtering options. Here's how to apply filters:

1. Right-click on the log you want to filter (e.g., "Application").
2. Select "Filter Current Log" from the context menu.

A new "Filter Current Log" window will appear, allowing you to define filter criteria based on event level, date and time, event source, and more. Specify your filters and click on the "OK" button to apply them.

Step 5: Viewing Event Details

To view the detailed information of a particular event log entry, double-click on the desired entry in the center pane. A new window will appear with the complete event information, including:

• General: Provides a summary of the event, including its level, source, and date/time.
• Details: Offers more specific information about the event, such as error codes or informational messages.
• XML View: Shows the event data in XML format, helpful for advanced troubleshooting or analysis.

Step 6: Saving and Clearing Event Logs

If you need to save event logs for further analysis or clear existing logs to free up space, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the desired log (e.g., "Application") in the left-hand pane.
2. Select either "Save All Events As" or "Clear Log" from the context menu.

Selecting "Save All Events As" allows you to save the log entries in an .evtx file format. Choose a suitable location and provide a filename to save the log. On the other hand, selecting "Clear Log" will remove all existing log entries in that particular log.

Conclusion

Windows Event Viewer is an invaluable tool for accessing event logs on your Windows system. By properly navigating, filtering, and understanding event logs, you can efficiently diagnose and troubleshoot various issues. Remember to save important logs as necessary and clear logs periodically to maintain your system's performance.