By default, the initial maximum of size of a log is set to 512 KB, and when this size is reached, new events overwrite older events as needed.  Depending on your requirements, you can change these settings, or clear a log of its contents.


How to Set Log Size and Overwrite Options


To specify log size and overwrite options, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.  Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Computer Management.  Or, open the MMC containing the Event Viewer snap-in.
  2. In the console tree, expand Event Viewer, and then right-click the log in which you want to set size and overwrite options.
  3. Under Log Size, type the size that you want in the Maximum log size box.
  4. Under When maximum log size is reached, click the overwrite option that you want.
  5. If you want to clea the log contents, click Clear Log.
  6. Click OK.

 


How to Archive a Log


If you want to save your log data, you can archive event logs in any of the following formats:


  • Log-file format (.evt)
  • Text-file format (.txt)
  • Comma-delimited text-file format (.csv)

To archive a log, follow these steps:


  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. Click Performance and Maintenance, then click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Computer Management.  Or, open the MMC containing the Event Viewer snap-in.
  2. In the console tree, expand Event Viewer, and then right-click the log in which you want to archive, and then click Save Log File As.
  3. Specify a file name and location where you want to save the file.  In the Save as type box, click the format that you want, and then click Save.


The log file is saved in the format that you specified.