Hi, new here but a long time user of CCleaner and I apologise if this has been mentioned before (I did a search but couldn't see anything) but what about CCleaner having the option to clear Windows event logs?
DS
Hi Darren
I'm speaking just for myself here, but I would hate to see this implemented as a ccleaner default action.
There is just so much info these logs can give you for troubleshooting and once they are gone..well.
So I prefer just to do it manually when I'm sure there are no error logs I need.
But that's just me
I think that DarrenShan has a great idea, but i can also see the point that hazelnut made. I sometimes do it manually. What if Ccleaner gave you the choice of cleaning out the event logs?
It actually has been suggested before.
The problem with blindly deleting those logs can be a big issue. For example when a piece of software is having invisible/hidden issues in the background such as an anti-virus/anti-malware with something failing, i.e.; not fully protecting the system.
I believe these are what you want
This is already built into CCLeaner (on the system tab "windows log files")
[Windows Log Files] ID=1017 LangSecRef=3003 LangRef=3145 Default=True FileKey1=%SystemDirectory%\wbem\Logs|*.log FileKey2=%SystemDirectory%\wbem\Logs|*.lo_ FileKey3=%windir%|*.log FileKey4=%windir%|*.bak FileKey5=%windir%|*log.txt FileKey6=%commonappdata%\Microsoft\Dr Watson|*.log FileKey7=%commonappdata%\Microsoft\Dr Watson|*.dmp FileKey8=%windir%\Debug|*.log FileKey9=%windir%\Debug\UserMode|*.log FileKey10=%windir%\Debug\UserMode|*.bak FileKey11=%windir%|SchedLgU.txt FileKey12=%windir%\security\logs|*.log FileKey13=%windir%\security\logs|*.old FileKey14=%windir%\SoftwareDistribution|*.log FileKey15=%windir%\Logs|*.log|RECURSE FileKey16=%windir%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData|*.Log|RECURSE FileKey17=%windir%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData|*.Log|RECURSE FileKey18=%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows|*.log|RECURSE FileKey19=%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows|*.log|RECURSE
and From Winapp2.ini
[Windows Logs More*] LangSecRef=3003 DetectFile=%WinDir% Default=False FileKey1=%WinDir%\SoftwareDistribution|*.log FileKey2=%WinDir%\Logs|*.log|RECURSE FileKey3=%WinDir%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData|*.Log|RECURSE FileKey4=%WinDir%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData|*.Log|RECURSE FileKey5=%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows|*.log|RECURSE FileKey6=%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows|*.log|RECURSE
I am personally glad it does clean those.
99% of the time, the computer does great & you don't need those taking up space.
Good thing it cleans them!
Thanks, Nergal, for pointing that out.
I was going to point that part out, but you beat me to it!
Event viewer log files are not cleaned by ccleaner on my machine. I don't believe ccleaners windows logs files -system does clean them.
I will have to check on my machine later then to see...
CCleaner definitely needs option to clear logs for those who just don't need/want the logs.
If a computer is going bad, it can generate them on the fly.
+ I can usually tell if a harddisk/component is failing without a dump
I will have to check on my machine later then to see...
CCleaner definitely needs option to clear logs for those who just don't need/want the logs.
If a computer is going bad, it can generate them on the fly.
+ I can usually tell if a harddisk/component is failing without a dump
I don't agree that ccleaner definitely needs this option for users by default.
Event logs are not dumps.
The event logs files are capped to maximum of 512KB (by default) which isn't really much if you think about it.
If you want to prevent any further software / system logging then run "services.msc" and disable the "Event Log" service.
As for CCleaner I doubt this idea could ever be implemented event logs files are protected from outside deletion or modification.
While on a similar subject does CCleaner remove debug logs of Piriform products and Windows crash dumps i.e. %windir%\minidump\*.dmp ??
Richard S.
I know for a fact Richard it deletes minidumps and DrWtsn logs.
Also see here
http://www.piriform.com/docs/ccleaner/ccleaner-rules/windows-tab/system-files
Event viewer log files are not cleaned by ccleaner on my machine. I don't believe ccleaners windows logs files -system does clean them.
Where are they?...I'll try it.
They're in the folder: C:\Windows\System32\Config
AppEvent.Evt - Application
SecEvent.Evt - Security
SysEvent.Evt - System
(and no cheating using an offline boot disc)
Richard S.
...
(and no cheating using an offline boot disc)
Richard S.
Would never stoop so low...
Anyhow, CCleaner's "windows logs files -system ... analyze" does not find them, and adding them to "custom files and folders ... analyze" does not find them. Unlocker shows them locked by ...system32/services.exe, but you can delete them. After that, the event viewer still shows the same info as before they were deleted. Cannot tell what would happen after a reboot.
One probably shouldn't do this...I've no idea what would normally happen on restart, but all these reckless deletions will be gone after restart here.
Login every so often I clear my event viewer logs out after checking them out. I have done this for years now with no issues. The thing that worries me about something else doing it instead of me is that any issues in the logs I may have wanted to look at are gone, and can never be got back.
I understand. And you were right, of course, CCleaner didn't clean them, and should not.
Login every so often I clear my event viewer logs out after checking them out. I have done this for years now with no issues. The thing that worries me about something else doing it instead of me is that any issues in the logs I may have wanted to look at are gone, and can never be got back.
That is very understandable...
However, since you never had a problem for years, I don't really think you will have any problem in the next several years as well. Even if you do, there are always ways to check things. For instance:
-> Dead harddrive -> No Operating System found error
-> Dying harddrive -> Random problems... Windows boots erratically, or sometimes not at all. Usually accompanied by an irregular click/click noise right before it dies if it is a mechanical drive
-> Dead video card -> No output
The symptoms are usually unmistakable, so I don't foresee you having anything to worry about. However, if you still want to worry & get a few grey hairs, hahaha!
Life is short! Why worry? You will always have what you need to handle the day, just relax! If you have problems, ask one of us, I would most certainly be glad to help you if you need it...
What the heck are you talking about?
I use the event viewer to troubleshoot software errors as I am a beta tester for a couple of software companies.
I need the event viewer to see which event id errors occurred at a specific time and how it relates to the said software. Also things like the beta software affecting auto retrieval of certificates and Windows Time. This info is then relayed back to the software devs
Got nothing to do with hardware.
What the heck are you talking about?
I use the event viewer to troubleshoot software errors as I am a beta tester for a couple of software companies.
I need the event viewer to see which event id errors occurred at a specific time and how it relates to the said software. Also things like the beta software affecting auto retrieval of certificates and Windows Time. This info is then relayed back to the software devs
Got nothing to do with hardware.
Couldn't you Sandboxie that folder?
So you could revert all changes when your done?
That way, if it affected certificate retrieval, you could revert it.
Just thought I would add my $0.02 worth. Just in case it might help you! I believe you already use Sandboxie, but I was just wondering if you ever thought of using it for that particular folder?
Help me do what?? What particular folder??
You don't seem to understand the concept of alpha and beta testing and the helpfulness of Windows Event Viewer. Even for folk not testing software for devs, they are so useful.
Bottom line is I don't believe Event Viewer logs should be deleted by ccleaner.