If you're like most Windows 10 users, you might not know that your computer keeps logs of everything that goes in it. Furthermore, you can use these logs to troubleshoot any security issues on your Windows PC.
Simply put, system and security logs are records of events and activities on your PC. These provide valuable insights into what's happening on your computer, from software errors and bugs all the way to security breaches.
In this beginner's guide, we will explore what system and security logs are, how to access them, and how to interpret them. Regardless of your experience, you'll learn how to use system and security logs to improve the performance and security of your computer.
Understanding Windows 10 Logs: Types and Importance
As a Windows 10 user, you might have encountered the term Event Viewer and examples of various logs on your PC. But what exactly do these terms mean, and how do they impact your PC's operation?
1. System Logs
System logs are files that record events related to the operation of your Windows operating system. Examples include driver installations, system shutdowns, application errors, and hardware failures.
Think of system logs as a diary of your computer's activities. They track events on your computer and when they happen. You can use these to troubleshoot computer hardware issues.
2. Security Logs
Next, we have Security logs. These logs are files that capture security-related events on your computer. It is worth noting that security logs are crucial in checking if your computer is infected with malware and preventing it in the future.
Examples of security logs include login attempts, changes to security policies, changes to your user accounts, or attempts to access files or programs that require administrative privileges.
3. Application Logs
Application logs record events related to specific applications installed on your PC. Types of application logs include errors and warnings generated by applications, successful and failed login attempts, and program crashes.
4. Setup Logs
Setup logs are generated during the installation of Windows 10 and record every step of the process. They can help diagnose issues related to the installation of the operating system or specific updates.
5. Explorer Logs
These logs record all events related to Internet Explorer on your PC. Examples include browsing history, download history, and website errors. Internet Explorer logs can also help troubleshoot browsing and website compatibility issues.
6. Event Trace Logs
Finally, we have Event Trace Logs which capture detailed information about system events and activities. Developers and IT professionals typically use them for diagnosing complex issues and optimizing your system's performance.
Why are System and Security Logs Essential?
The answer is simple. When something goes wrong on your computer, system logs help you identify the source of the problem and find a solution. For instance, you can check system logs whenever your PC freezes. That way, you can determine the reasons why your computer keeps on crashing.
Similarly, security logs help you identify and prevent potential security breaches on your computer system. By monitoring security logs, you can detect and prevent unauthorized access to your system and other security threats.
In addition to troubleshooting and security, system and security logs are also crucial for regulatory compliance. After all, many organizations are required to maintain detailed records of their computer systems' activities to comply with industry-specific regulations.
Finally, system and security logs are essential for administrators and IT professionals. They rely on these logs to manage and monitor computer systems to optimize performance. Without access to these logs, system admins would find resolving issues more challenging.
How to Access and Interpret Windows 10 System and Security Logs
Using the Windows 10 system and security logs may seem daunting, but it's a relatively straightforward process. You can access your system and security logs with the Windows Event Viewer. You can check our primer on the Windows Event Viewer app if you want to know more about it.
To access your Windows 10 system logs, click the Start menu and type Event Viewer in the search bar. Select the Event Viewer app that appears in the search results.
Once you've launched the Event Viewer app, find the Windows Logs folder on the left-hand side of the screen and click on System.
You should now see a list of system events logged on your computer.
Accessing the security logs is largely similar. Find the Windows Logs folder on the left-hand side of the Event Viewer window and click on Security.
Interpreting System and Security Logs in Windows 10
Once you've accessed the system or security logs, you'll see a list of events that have been logged. Each event contains detailed information about what happened on your computer system, including the date, time, source of the event, and a description of what occurred.
To effectively interpret the information in an event log, you must understand what each field means.
First, the Event ID field shows a unique identifier for each log, which you can use to search for more detailed information online. By referencing the Event ID, you can better understand the specific type of event that occurred.
Another critical field to understand is Source, which identifies the software or component that generated the event. You can use this information to find the event's root cause and potentially troubleshoot any related issues.
Date and Time provides a timestamp of when the event occurred. It allows you to track the sequence of events and identify any patterns or trends.
Likewise, Category gives additional context to the event, indicating whether it's an error, warning, or informational message. This helps you to prioritize events and determine which ones require immediate attention.
Finally, the Description field provides a detailed explanation of what occurred during the event. This information is critical for understanding the event's impact and identifying any corrective steps.
By thoroughly reviewing each field, you can better understand the information provided in an event log.
Types of Events Recorded in Windows 10 System and Security Logs
Some of the various events that are recorded in the Windows 10 system and security logs are:
1. System Startup and Shutdown Events
These are some of the most common events recorded in your Windows 10 systems and security logs. They log when your computer is turned on and off and can help diagnose issues related to power management.
For example, if your computer is experiencing issues with starting up or shutting down, you can check the system logs to see if any events were recorded during those times. This information can help you identify the cause of the issue and take appropriate action.
2. Driver Installation and Removal Events
These events detail when a new driver was installed, or an existing driver was removed from your system. Consequently, this information can help identify driver-related issues.
If your computer is experiencing issues with a particular device or peripheral, you can check the system logs to see if any events were recorded during the installation or removal of its drivers. This information can help you troubleshoot the issue.
3. System Errors and Warnings
These events provide details about errors or warnings on your system, such as driver failures or application crashes. For example, if an application crashes frequently or fails to start, you can check the system logs to see if any events were recorded during those times.
This information can help you diagnose and fix the issue by updating the application or troubleshooting the system components that caused the error.
4. Logon and Logoff Events
Logon and Logoff events provide details about when a user logs on or off your Windows PC, which can be useful for tracking user activity and detecting potential security threats.
If you suspect someone has unauthorized access to your computer, you can check the security logs to see if any suspicious logon or logoff events were recorded.
Unlocking the Full Potential of Windows 10 System and Security Logs
Learning how to access and interpret Windows 10 system and security logs is crucial in maintaining the health and security of your computer. With this, you can troubleshoot issues, detect potential security threats, and keep your system running smoothly.
Moving forward, you can explore advanced techniques for getting the most out of these tools. Thus, allowing you to improve your computing experience.
