Many applications record errors and events in various proprietary error logs. These proprietary error logs have different formats and display different user interfaces. Moreover, you cannot merge the data to provide a complete report. Therefore, you need to check a variety of sources to diagnose problems. Event logging provides a standard, centralized way for applications (and the operating system) to record important software and hardware events. The event-logging service stores events from various sources in a single collection called an event log. The Event Viewer enables you to view logs; the programming interface also enables you to examine logs.
Starting with Windows Vista, there is a new event log service. For more information, see Windows Event Log.
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Build date: 11/12/2009