How to Check the Event Log on PC or Mac

This wikiHow teaches you how to view a log of system events and errors using the Windows Event Viewer or the Mac Console.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Windows Event Viewer

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    1
    Open the Windows search bar. If you see the search bar next to the
    Image titled Windowsstart.png
    menu, skip to the next step. Otherwise, press ⊞ Win+S to open it now.
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    2
    Type administrative into the search bar. A list of matching results will appear.
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    3
    Click Administrative Tools. This opens an Explorer window that contains several administrative options.
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    4
    Double-click Event Viewer. It’s in the main panel. This opens the Event Viewer, where you can view different types of event logs.
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    5
    Click the > next to “Windows Logs.” It’s in the left column. A list of logs that pertain to Windows will appear.
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    6
    Click a log to view its contents. The log will appear in the main panel.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using Mac Console

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    1
    Open the Applications folder on your Mac. To do this, click the Go menu and select Applications.
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    2
    Double-click the Utilities folder.[1]
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    3
    Double-click Console. This opens the Console app, which is where you can view system diagnostic logs for all sorts of events.
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    4
    Click All Messages. It’s near the top-left corner of the window, right above the left column. This displays all of the messages recorded by each process.
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    5
    Click Errors and Faults. It’s next to the “All Messages” button. This refines the log results so it only displays errors.
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    6
    Click a report under the “Reports” header. This opens reports of system or user/application events in the right panel.
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.omnigroup.com/console-osx/

About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA
Written by:
Nicole Levine, MFA
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 20,352 times.
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Co-authors: 1
Updated: March 29, 2019
Views: 20,352
Categories: Basic Computer Skills
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