eventvwr.exe

Windows Event Viewer

Application ProcessSafeSystem Tool

CPU Usage

0-3%

Memory

20-60 MB

Location

C:\Windows\System32

Publisher

Microsoft Corporation

Quick Answer

eventvwr.exe is safe. It’s Windows’ built-in Event Viewer used to inspect and manage system, application, and security logs.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Windows\System32\eventvwr.exe

Warning

Usually legitimate

Event logs can be large; ensure you opened it intentionally and verify logs from the Windows Log service

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Disabling is not typical; you can avoid opening it, but it’s part of Windows diagnostics

What is eventvwr.exe?

eventvwr.exe is the Windows Event Viewer executable that lets you view and analyze event logs generated by Windows components, applications, and services. It graphically presents logs, filters, and alerts, aiding troubleshooting and auditing across the system.

The tool queries the Windows Event Log service via the Event Log API, renders entries in a structured UI, and supports custom views, subscriptions, and error details for forensic analysis and troubleshooting.

Quick Fact: Event logs are centralized by the Windows Event Log service, and Event Viewer provides a user-friendly interface to search, filter, and export them.

Types of Event Viewer Components

Event Log Viewer: UI for navigating System, Application, and Security logs
Event Log Service: Background service storing and managing event records
Subscriptions: Remote logging from other machines or sources
Custom Views: Saved filters for quick access to specific events

Is eventvwr.exe Safe?

Yes, eventvwr.exe is safe when it’s the legitimate Microsoft file located in C:\Windows\System32 and digitally signed by Microsoft.

Is eventvwr.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real eventvwr.exe is NOT a virus. Malware can masquerade with similar names; always verify the path and signature.

How to Tell if eventvwr.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Windows\System32\eventvwr.exe. Any other location is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer > Properties > Digital Signatures. Should show a certificate issued to "Microsoft Corporation".
Resource Usage: Normal usage is minimal when idle; check Task Manager for unusual spikes in cpu or memory.
Behavior: Event Viewer should launch when opened by the user or by system task. Persistent background execution without user action is suspicious.

Red Flags: If eventvwr.exe is found outside C:\Windows\System32, lacks a valid signature, or runs without any user action, scan for malware with a reputable tool and verify the certificate.

Why Is eventvwr.exe Running on My PC?

Event Viewer runs to present and manage logged events. It starts or is invoked by the OS or applications when there’s a need to view or export logs for diagnostic purposes.

Reasons it's running:

User Initiated View: You or an admin opened Event Viewer to inspect logs for system, application, or security events.
Log Subscriptions: Event subscriptions from local or remote computers can trigger log collection and display within Event Viewer.
Background Diagnostics: Some system diagnostics or IT maintenance tasks launch Event Viewer to summarize issues.
Startup/Automatic Checks: Certain monitoring tools may launch Event Viewer during startup or at scheduled checks.
Remote Monitoring: Administrators use Event Viewer to review remote logs via Windows Remote Management or Event Forwarding.

Can I Disable or Remove eventvwr.exe?

No practical need to remove it, but you can avoid using it. You can disable startup or prevent logging exports via Settings, though this is not recommended for system administration.

How to Stop eventvwr.exe

Close Event Viewer: Close any open Event Viewer windows.
End Related Processes: Use Task Manager to end eventvwr.exe if it appears unwanted; note this won’t disable OS logging.
Disable Startup Triggers: There is no global startup switch for eventvwr.exe; rely on user actions to open it.
Adjust Subscriptions: In Event Viewer, reduce or disable subscriptions that cause heavy logs.
Alternative Admin Workflows: Use PowerShell Get-WinEvent and Clear-EventLog to manage logs without the GUI.

How to Uninstall Event Viewer

✔ Event Viewer is a built-in Windows component and cannot be uninstalled separately. You can disable usage or rely on other tools for log analysis.
✔ To reduce reliance, you can switch to PowerShell-based logging tools like Get-WinEvent and Clear-EventLog.

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If eventvwr.exe is consuming excessive resources while you’re viewing logs:

Common Causes & Solutions

Large log files being browsed: Limit the log view to a subset, or export logs and view offline. Use filters to narrow results.
Extensive event subscriptions: Disable or lower the frequency of remote subscriptions and clear old logs.
Corrupted log files: Clear corrupted event logs via Event Viewer or PowerShell and restart the service.
Background indexing: Disable or limit Windows Search indexing on event logs to reduce overhead.
Insufficient resources: Close other heavy apps, increase system RAM, and restart Windows if needed.
Malware disguised as eventvwr: Run full antivirus scans and verify the executable path to ensure integrity.

Quick Fixes:
1. Open Event Viewer with Administrator privileges to access logs without permission issues
2. Filter logs to reduce data load
3. Clear old logs: Event Viewer or PowerShell (Clear-EventLog)
4. Restart the Event Log service: services.msc > Windows Event Log > Restart
5. Update Windows to ensure fixed event handling

Frequently Asked Questions

Is eventvwr.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate eventvwr.exe from Microsoft is not a virus. It’s the Windows Event Viewer located in C:\Windows\System32 with a valid signature from Microsoft.

How do I open Event Viewer?

Open Run (Win+R), type eventvwr.msc, and press Enter. You can also find Event Viewer under Administrative Tools in the Start menu.

Where is eventvwr.exe located?

C:\Windows\System32\eventvwr.exe is the typical location. If you find the executable elsewhere, verify digital signatures and paths.

Can I disable Event Viewer?

You can stop using it, or limit access by removing shortcuts and restricting privileges. The system component itself should not be removed.

Why is Event Viewer not showing logs?

Check that the Windows Event Log service is running (services.msc -> Windows Event Log). Also verify log retention and permissions.

What logs does Event Viewer display?

System, Application, and Security logs are the core categories, plus custom logs from applications. You can create custom views and subscriptions.