Introduction
Windows event viewer is a tool on your device that shows you warnings, errors, and other problems related to your window. If there is some error in your window, the event viewer will inform you about the systematic error. This tool is helpful for all the problems related to Windows. Even a well-working system can also show different errors and suggestions in logs. You can examine any issue in the event viewer.
Charlatans even use this fact for fraud by telling people that there is a systematic problem with their devices. Even if your system is properly functioning but still receiving warnings, then you can neglect them. These warnings are to alarm you before the error.
Events shown on the event viewer
Here are three main events that the event viewer shows:
●Errors
Any problem in a system, such as data loss or poor functioning of the system is an error. For instance, there is an error if the service fails to load.
●Warning s
Currently, if there is no visible problem in your system, there will be some notifications to alarm you before the error.
●Information
This event tells about the successful ending of any task related to the window.
Only the administrators can view security events, while other events are accessible to all users.
| Error | Apparent issues, chances for the loss of data |
| Warning | Not apparent issues, predict the future errors |
| Information | Notifications appear on the successful ending of the task |
Launching way
To launch a Window event viewer, you have to follow these steps:
● Click on Start.
● Search “Event viewer”
● Then click the result.
Log files
The computer-generated files are called the “Log files”. Such files are the primary information source for various activities related to Windows or systems. Logs are specialized to identify systematic problems. These log files are to detect and troubleshoot operational errors.
There are different categories of events. As we are concerned about troubleshooting, we have to know only three of them which are application, system, and security.
● Application logs
The events concerned with window system components are saved in this log.
● System logs
The events related to the installation of files or programs in the system are recorded in the system log.
● Security logs
Security-related events are recorded in this log.
Purpose of logs
Event logs are the information centers of computers. Every single piece of information about the user, device, software, and hardware is present in logs. You can get basic and important information about the initiation of any process and any crash in hardware or software. Such information is to prevent any massive issues in the future.
Don’t worry
Window event viewer helps to troubleshoot all the problems related to Windows. Sometimes, warnings and errors are shown on your device, even if your system is functioning well. The purpose of an event viewer is to help administrators by troubleshooting systematic problems. There is no need to panic if a well-functioning system receives systematic errors and warnings. It often happens that we see notifications of errors that were some weeks ago.
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It also informs us about all the problems which we can face in the future.
The blue screen of death
Generally, the question that arises in our mind is “Why is the event viewer important for our system?”. We might face some permanent issues with our device if we are not taking action about errors. For example, if our computer or device is showing a blue screen, an event viewer can solve this. This tool detects and troubleshoots the problem of the system. Moreover, it also informs about the causes of bluescreening.
Any change in the system log section can tell you which software or hardware is not working well. You can also find event IDs online that can guide us to detect and solve problems related to the system.
Importance
Windows event viewer provides much knowledge about errors related to Windows to everyone. But it is more important for engineers. Engineers stay updated on different errors inside the system like, external threats, system failure, and many other problems. This tool provides general and detailed knowledge about the system to detect and fix the problem.
It also helps the network engineers to take necessary steps to avoid future errors. With the help of event logs, one can get information about software, hardware issues, and systematic errors.
Event viewer in Windows 8.1 and Windows 10
● Click on “Start”
● Search “System and security” and Tap two times “Administrative tools”.
● Select the log you want to see or observe.
Event viewer in Windows 8
● First of all, let the start button appear on your device.
● Right-click on “Start”.
● Select the control panel, and search “System and Security”
● Now, click on “Administrative tools” and select the log type you want to view
Event Viewer in Windows 7
Event Viewer in Windows 7 is the same as in the above Windows. i.e, Windows 8 and Windows 10
● Tap “START”
● Open the control panel
● Search “System and Security”
● Double-click on “Administrative Tools” and select the log type you want to observe.
Limitations
Besides all its uses, Window Event Viewer also has some limitations
● Event Viewer does not support the collection of data from different platforms.
● It includes the observation of vast amounts of data to understand event viewer reports in a better way.
● It is not wise to rely on event viewer because there is no security reporting.
FAQs
What is Windows Event Viewer and how can it help me?
Windows Event Viewer is a program that lets you view logs of events that happen on your Windows computer. These events can range from successful logins to apps that fail. Event Viewer can be used to solve computer issues, track system changes, and monitor your machine’s security.
How do I open Windows Event Viewer?
To access Windows Event Viewer, click the Start button and type “Event Viewer” into the search field. You may alternatively open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows key + R and typing “eventvwr.msc”.
What are the different types of logs in Windows Event Viewer?
Windows Event Viewer has five different logs:
* **Application:** This log contains events created by apps.
* **Security:** This log covers security-related events, such as successful and failed logins.
* **System:** This log contains events created by the Windows operating system.
* **Setup:** This log comprises events generated during the installation of Windows and other software.
* **Forwarded Events:** This log contains events forwarded from another computer to this machine.
What are some common problems that can be troubleshoot with Windows Event Viewer?
Some frequent issues that can be resolved using Windows Event Viewer are:
* Blue screen of death errors * Application crashes * Network connectivity issues * Hardware issues * Security flaws
How can I use Windows Event Viewer to monitor my computer’s security?
You can use Windows Event Viewer to monitor your computer’s security by scanning for security-related events. You can, for example, seek occurrences with the event type “Critical” and the source “Security.” You may also search for occurrences with the description “Logon failure.”
Conclusion
Windows Event Viewer is a program that allows you to see event logs on your Windows PC. These events can range from successful logins to application failures. Event Viewer can be used to solve computer problems, trace changes made to your system, and monitor your computer’s security.
Application, Security, System, Setup, and Forwarded Events are the five logs available in Event Viewer. Each log’s events are classified by kind, source, and category.