Windows Event Log Tools

• Windows event log tools allow you to see any issues-related events.pc image by Dron from Fotolia.com
  
  An event is any occurrence that is significant enough that it either needs to be added to a log or that creates a user alert, and an event log is a list of all these events. Some tools are pre-installed on Windows systems to allow users to scan through these many events, and these tools are free. Other tools, however, will require a fee to use.
  
  

Windows Event Viewer

• The Event Viewer comes installed on Windows operating systems, and it allows you to see any events related to security systems, system components, software programs, hardware systems and applications. You can view these events either on your local computer or a remote workstation. This tool allows you to figure out what is going on with your system and determine whether or not any issues exist. Events are broken down by date, time, computer and user. The log will also provide you with information about what type of event it was and where it originated. The event log will also display the event ID (a number that corresponds to an event type) and the category (a security log feature that corresponds to the source of the event). The Event Viewer is located in the Administrative Tools, which is located in the Control Panel.
  
  

Event Log Explorer

• This tool expands on the capabilities of the pre-installed Windows Event Viewer, and it allows you to look at and analyze events. This program records information about system security and application logs. You can view attempts made to log into a system, account lock-outs and file manipulation events, including the generation and deletion of files. Information about each event is stored in the event list or the event description dialogue box. The program uses a graphical user interface (GUI), which allows you to retrieve information without writing code. The Event Log Explorer is compatible with Windows 2000, 2003, XP and NT. There is a free download from this program, but the full version must be purchased.
  
  

Snare Epilog for Windows

• This program creates a central storage location for text logs, IIS (Internet Information Services), SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), ISA (Internet Security and Acceleration Server) and Exchange Server logs. You can view events from remote servers, and each event is shown in tab delimited text format. You can set the priority of events and indicate where the information should be sent. The Snare Epilog for Windows is compatible with both 32- and 64-bit Windows computers. There is a free download.