subject: What Is Windows Log Files? [print this page] Windows log files are produced by the system to aid w/ troubleshooting potential problems, as they provide reports of everything your system is experiencing, be it protection issues or something else. The various types of log files are comprehensible by certain permission groups. For instance, the protection event log is able to be comprehended by the administrator. Logs made by some applications, like log information software like "HijackThis", are capable to be comprehended by all users.
What can I utilize to view these log Files?
All of the different logs that Windows involuntarily produce may be comprehended by the "Event Viewer" software. This software is easily used over the control panel. For methods on how to run this program, the following are instructions:
1. Start by pushing the "Start" key that can be seen at the bottom left side of your screen.
2. After the menu pops up, find and click "Control Panel". This will open the Control Panel in a new window.
3. On the left side of the menu, click "Switch to Classic View".
4. Click the "Administrative Tools" icon 2 times.
5. Once you are in the folder of Administrative Tools, click the "Event Viewer" icon twice. This will run the Event viewer software.
Here you can view all kinds of different logs regarding your computer and its status. Several different choices are as follows:
" Security
" Application
" Internet Explorer
" System
Each of these comprise their logs and data reporting, and are good for locating potential troubles your PC may be silently experiencing, causing your PC to reduce speed. Going over your choices and checking for stability is a good way to keep your PC problem free and clean.
Another method to comprehend the log files is by making use of a built in plain text viewer, like Wndows" Word pad. Directions on how to do these things are as follows:
1. Start by pushing the "Start" button at the bottom left side of your screen.
2. Then click All Program - Accessories - WordPad
3. After you have opened WordPad, click "File" that can be seen at the upper left side.
4. Then click "Open"
5. This will bring a "select file box". Here you will ask to navigate to the file you like to open. Once you have found it, click the file and run it.
6. WordPad will show the contents of file. If it looks distorted at anytime, it is because it was not meant to be comprehended with WordPad and it maybe is not a system file.
