Tips, Tricks, and Answers

The following articles are available for the 'Event Logs' topic. Click the article''s title (shown in bold) to see the associated article.

    Adjusting the Size of an Event Log
Event logs are used to store information about what goes on, behind the scenes, on your system. Whether you want to increase or decrease the size of an event log, this tip shows you how to do it.

    Changing How Event Log Overruns are Handled
By default, the event logs are implemented in a circular buffer, i.e., when its maximum size is reached, the oldest events are deleted to make room for the new events. You can change this behavior, though, and this tip tells you how.

    Creating a Custom View in the Event Viewer
Creating a custom view in the Event Viewer allows you quick access to those events you're interested in watching over time. This tip explains how to create a custom view.

    Deleting Events in Your Event Logs
You don't need to worry about event logs filling up your disk, but you still may want to clean them out eventually. This tip tells you how.

    Filtering Event Logs
Filtering a log in the Event Viewer allows you quick access to those events you're interested in watching over time. This tip explains how to apply a filter to an event log.

    Tracking Down Who Installed or Removed a Program or App
Managing a computer system can often involve a good deal of detective work. This tip looks at how you can use your sleuthing skills to find out who installed or uninstalled a program or app on your system.

    Understanding Event Logs
Windows event logs are great resources to see what is "invisibly" going on with your system. By understanding the various logs and their capabilities, you can keep better track of your system's resources.

    Using the Event Viewer to Examine Remote Event Logs
Assuming you have proper access to remote computers, you can examine their event logs from your system without much trouble. This tip explains how.

    Viewing Event Logs
Event logs are automatically maintained by the operating system. By periodically viewing them, you'll have a better idea of what's going on with your system and maybe even take action before things get out of control.

    What is the Purpose of the Application Event Log?
The Application event log holds messages generated by applications and services. This tip explains more about it.

    What is the Purpose of the Forwarded Events Event Log?
The Forwarded Events event log collects events that have been forwarded from other computers. In this way you can login to just one computer and keep track of significant events happening throughout your network.

    What is the Purpose of the Security Event Log?
The Security event log captures success and failure audit events when auditing is turned on. This tip explains a bit more about it.

    What is the Purpose of the System Event Log?
The System event log holds messages generated by device drivers. This tip explains more about it.