How to Use the System and Security Logs to Fix Common Issues in Windows 10
Windows 10 has long been a go-to operating system for personal and professional use. However, maintaining a Windows 10 PC can be challenging. Although knowing about system and security logs helps with this, you must also know how to interpret them.
Many Windows 10 users encounter various issues, which can be diagnosed and fixed using system and security logs. As such, exploring practical applications of these logs to fix common problems on your PC should be a priority.
To this end, let’s dive into various ways to use system and security logs to fix common issues and ensure your PC runs smoothly.
Common Issues That Can Be Diagnosed and Fixed with System Logs
Analyzing system logs makes it possible to identify errors, track performance, and determine the root cause of problems. They help you get things back on track. Here are some common issues you can easily fix by diving into those system logs.
1. System Boot or Startup Failure
So, you turn on your computer, and nothing happens. You’ve just experienced a startup failure. This issue is frustrating, especially if you rely on your PC for work or other essential tasks.
If you manage to turn on your computer, the first step is to open theEvent Viewer. you could access this utility by pressing theWindowskey and typingEvent Viewerinto the search bar.
Then, findtheWindows Logssection and selectSystem. This action displays a list of system events, including those related to system boot or startup. Look for messages that indicate an error during the boot process, such asdisk boot failureoroperating system not found.
Pay attention toerror codes, which provide detailed information about the cause of the problem. you may find these codes in theDetailstab of the error message. Use these codes to identify specific hardware or software components that may be causing the problem.
You must review the logs in more detail if you can’t find any specific error messages. Look for patterns that may indicate a broader system issue. For example, you may notice that the system consistently fails to boot after a particular software update.
Based on your analysis of the system logs, take steps to address the problem. This may involve replacing a failed hard drive, reinstalling the operating system or drivers, or disabling complex software components.
After trying a fix, check the log files to ensure the issue is resolved.
2. Driver Errors or Malfunctions
Once the Event Viewer is open, navigate to the System logs to look for records relevant to drivers or hardware components. you could filter the logs by clickingFilter Current Login the right pane and selectingCritical,Error, orWarninglogs.
Once you have located the driver-related events, click on them to view more details. Look for any error codes or messages that can help you identify the problem so you can take corrective actions.
Based on the information you have gathered from the system logs, you can resolve the issue by either updating or reinstalling them tofix corrupt Windows drivers, replacing the hardware component, or performing other troubleshooting steps.
3. Application Crashes or Failures
Following the previous steps to get to the system logs on your PC, look for application-related events. you could also filter the records and selectCritical,Error, orWarningevents.
Once you have located the application-related logs, click on themto see if anyerror codes or messages can help you identify the problem. You may also want to check thetimestampsto see if there is a pattern of when the application crashes or fails.
Using the information you’ve gathered from the system logs, take corrective action to resolve the issue. This could involve updating the application, reinstalling the application, or repairing corrupted files in the application.
After trying out fixes, test the application to see if the issue has been resolved. If the application still crashes or fails, repeat the steps above to gather more information and try other methods tofix application crashes on Windows 10.
Common Issues That Can Be Diagnosed and Fixed with Security Logs
Security logs are an essential tool for maintaining the security and stability of a Windows 10 system. These logs provide valuable insights into the health of your Windows 10 PC. To this end, let’s dive into some common issues that security logs can diagnose and fix.
1. Failed or Unauthorized Login Attempts on User Accounts
One of the most important functions of security logs on a Windows 10 system is to track failed or unauthorized login attempts on user accounts. These logs can help identify potential security breaches and help you take immediate precautions.
First, open theEvent Vieweron your Windows 10 system, find theWindows Logssection, and selectSecurity. Then, filter the logsto display only failed or unauthorized login attempts.
In theEvent sourcesdrop-down menu, selectSecurity-Audit-Configuration-Client. Then, in theBy Loggeddrop-down menu, selectSecurity. Finally, in theEvent IDbox, type4625; this is the Event ID that corresponds to failed login attempts.
After you’ve applied the filter, the Event Viewer will display only the failed or unauthorized login attempts. Each log will include information about the targeted user account, the time of the attempt, and the computer’s IP address from which the attempt was made.
you could use this information to identify patterns and potential sources of attacks. Once you’ve identified a failed or unauthorized login attempt, you must take action to secure the affected user account.
This may involvechanging the password, temporarily disabling the account, or even revoking the user’s access to the system. It’s important to act quickly to prevent further attempts from being made on your account.
2. Malware Infections
The first step in using security logs to troubleshoot a malware infection is to locate the logs themselves. On the security log section on the Event viewer, look for events that indicate suspicious or unauthorized activity, such as changes to system files or settings or unusual network activity.
This may require you to do some detective work, as malware often attempts to hide its tracks by disguising itself as a legitimate activity. However, by examining the activity patterns over time, you may be able to identify irregular behavior possibly caused by malware.
The next step is to remove it. Depending on the severity of the infection, this may involve running a virus scan, a malware removal tool, orperforming a system restoreto a previous point in time before the infection occurred.
It’s essential to follow best practices for malware removal, as incorrectly removing malware can cause further damage to your system. In addition, you should also note that while security logs can be a valuable tool for troubleshooting malware infections, they are not foolproof.
Some types of malware are designed to evade detection by security software and can even delete security logs to cover their tracks. For this reason, you must use security logs in conjunction with other security measures, like antivirus software and regular Windows system updates.
3. Security Policy Violations
The first step to using security logs to troubleshoot security policy violations on Windows 10 is to locate the relevant logs in the security logs.
Next, look for events that indicate attempted security policy violations, such as attempts to disable antivirus software or modify system settings to protect against unauthorized access.
These events may be logged asfailed attemptsor assuccessful attemptsthat were later discovered and prevented.
Once you have identified the attempted security policy violations, you can take steps to address them. This may involvere-enabling security features on the Windows 10 Security appthat were disabled or modifying system settings to prevent future violations.
Following the best practices for security policy management is important, as incorrect modifications can leave your system vulnerable to attacks. You should also note that security policy violations can indicate a more significant security issue, such as a malware infection or a breach of network security.
As such, it’s crucial to investigate any security policy violations thoroughly. By staying vigilant and monitoring security logs regularly, you can maintain the security of your system and protect it against potential threats.
System and Security Logs Help Resolve Windows 10 Issues
As technology evolves and cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, prioritizing system security is becoming increasingly important. By using the system and security logs on your PC, you could stay ahead of potential issues and keep your system secure.
However, it’s worth noting that log analysis is just one aspect of a broader approach to system and network security. While logs can provide valuable insights into system activity and help you identify potential issues, they can’t prevent cyber threats independently.
To protect your system from malicious activity, you must implement several security measures, including antivirus, firewalls, and network monitoring tools. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments can also help you identify potential weaknesses in your PC and resolve them.
Windows has plenty of good built-in security tools, but you can make it even tougher to crack with these apps.
My foolproof plan is to use Windows 10 until 2030, with the latest security updates.
Not Linux, not Windows. Something better.
Sometimes the smallest cleaning habit makes the biggest mess.
I gripped my chair the entire time—and then kept thinking about it when the screen turned off.
OneDrive is one of the best, but it has a catch.
