XML filtering within the Windows Event Viewer

Starting in the Windows Vista/Server 2008 time frame, an option was made available to modify or create a XML query to generate Custom Views within the Event Viewer.  To create a Custom View, access the Event Viewer application.  Right-click on the Custom Views subfolder and select the Create Custom View menu option.

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Click on the XML tab and then on the Edit query manually checkbox.  Click on the Yes button within the warning dialog box.

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Enter text for the XML query.  Below is some sample text to search the Security logs for the user account test:


 
   
 

When finished, give the Custom View entry a name and description.

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Queries can include AND/OR operators.


 
   
 

To find additional fields to query on, access the details of an event entry and click on the XML view.

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The query below looks for events that any data or field equals test