This guide teaches you how to view a log of system events and errors using either Windows Event Viewer or the Mac Console, helping you diagnose issues or understand system behavior.
How to check the event log on PC or Mac
Follow these steps to access and review system event logs on your Windows PC or Mac computer.
Method 1: Using Windows Event Viewer
- Open the Windows search bar. If you see the search bar next to the menu, skip to the next step. Otherwise, press ⊞ Win+S to open it now.
- Type administrative into the search bar. A list of matching results will appear.
- Click Administrative Tools. This opens an Explorer window that contains several administrative options.
- Double-click Event Viewer. It’s in the main panel. This opens the Event Viewer, where you can view different types of event logs.
- Click the > next to “Windows Logs.” It’s in the left column. A list of logs that pertain to Windows will appear.
- Click a log to view its contents. The log will appear in the main panel.
Method 2: Using Mac Console
- Open the Applications folder on your Mac. To do this, click the Go menu and select Applications.
- Double-click the Utilities folder.
- Double-click Console. This opens the Console app, which is where you can view system diagnostic logs for all sorts of events.
- 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.
- Click Errors and Faults. It’s next to the “All Messages” button. This refines the log results so it only displays errors.
- Click a report under the “Reports” header. This opens reports of system or user/application events in the right panel.
Why this matters
Checking your system’s event logs is a fundamental skill for anyone looking to maintain a healthy and efficient computer. These logs provide a detailed record of everything that happens on your system, from successful program launches to critical errors and security alerts.
Understanding how to access and interpret these logs empowers you to diagnose problems, troubleshoot software conflicts, identify hardware failures, and even detect potential security breaches before they become major issues. It transforms you from a passive computer user into an active problem-solver, extending the life and reliability of your device.
