Event Viewer

<p>Event Viewer is a component of <a href="/facts/Microsoft/nGIDDXdx">Microsoft</a>'s <a href="/facts/Windows_NT/EtccWvxQ">Windows NT</a> <a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">operating system</a> that lets administrators and users view the <a href="/facts/Computer_data_logging/p7FHf8mA">event logs</a>, typically file extensions .evt and .evtx, on a local or remote machine. <a href="/facts/Application_software/YQuj7Kog">Applications</a> and operating-system components can use this centralized log service to report events that have taken place, such as a failure to start a component or to complete an action. In <a href="/facts/Windows_Vista/IASEUCTB">Windows Vista</a>, Microsoft overhauled the event system.
</p><p>Due to the Event Viewer's routine reporting of minor start-up and processing errors (which do not, in fact, harm or damage the computer), the software is frequently used by <a href="/facts/Technical_support_scam/9Q6jXaaV">technical support scammers</a> to trick the victim into thinking that their computer contains critical errors requiring immediate technical support. An example is the "Administrative Events" field under "Custom Views" which can have over a thousand errors or warnings logged over a month's time.
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Event Viewer open-in-new

Event Viewer