This article discusses the benefits of using the Windows' Event Viewer as troubleshooting aid
Windows' Event Viewer is part of window’s in-built security information and event management system. It is an embedded Windows feature useful for troubleshooting and ensuring security overview of errors. Users are able to view logs of the system and applications that are automatically logged.
Event Viewer can be opened via the search bar and typing Event Viewer or via the Windows key + R and typing eventvwr.
Logs are categorised into 3 categories – Information, Error, Warnings
The event viewer will for example also state the name of the application and show further details on what the error is and where the error can be found. Users are also provided with timestamps for each log entry.
Some of the options users can select as highlighted above include Application logs, Security logs and System Logs.
System logs contains log entries of the entire windows system.
Security logs provide users with an audit trail of successful and unsuccessful login attempts. The windows user will be able to see how many login attempts were made, if an incorrect username or password was entered and can deduct whether any malicious activity was taking place.
Under the Application logs option, users will find information, warnings and errors on applications running on the Windows machine.
In the details section further details are listed such as the detected problem, and where the file is located or missing thereof.