How to check system logs on Windows

System logs in Windows provide a detailed record of system events, capturing errors, warnings, and audit entries. They are essential for diagnosing issues, monitoring performance, and maintaining overall system stability. Detailed inspection helps administrators track activity and identify potential problems before they escalate.

The Event Viewer categorizes logs into Application, System, and Security sections, each containing events with unique identifiers and severity levels. This structure makes troubleshooting more efficient by revealing the event ID, source, and a description of each event. Viewing and interpreting these details is vital for targeted issue resolution.

Regular analysis of logs uncovers hidden errors, hardware faults, and security breaches. Proactive monitoring can prevent downtime and inform preventative measures. Exporting logs as .evtx, .txt, or other formats allows collaborative investigation and archival for future reference.

1. Open the Run dialog.

   Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

2. Type the command to launch Event Viewer.

   eventvwr

3. Select the Windows Logs option in the left pane.

   The Windows Logs section includes categories such as System, Application, and Security logs.

4. Choose a log category: System, Application, or Security.

   Logs in each category track different events, such as errors, warnings, and informational events.

5. Browse the logs in the middle pane to review recent events.
6. Click an event to view details in the lower pane.
7. Use the Filter option to narrow down events by type or time range.

   You can filter by Event Level (e.g., Error, Warning) or specify an Event ID to find specific issues.

8. Right-click the log category to export logs if needed.

   Export logs as .evtx, .txt, or other formats for later analysis.

   Example filtered output:
   
   Event ID: 41
   Log Name: System
   Level: Critical
   Description: The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first.