Relog (Windows Performance Toolkit) - ETW Trace Post-Processing
relog.exe is safe. It is a legitimate Windows Performance Toolkit utility used to post-process ETW trace data into human-readable formats like CSV or XML.
relog.exe is the Windows Performance Toolkit command-line utility used to post-process ETW (Event Tracing for Windows) traces. It converts ETL files into human-readable formats (CSV, TSV, or XML) for analysis, filtering, and reporting. It is typically invoked in scripts or during offline profiling.
Relog.exe reads an ETL trace, applies user-specified format options and filters, then writes output to a chosen file. This console tool supports commands to select time ranges, data types, and output formats, enabling automated trace analysis.
Quick Fact: Relog.exe is a core component of ETW workflows; it enables batch processing of traces without a GUI.
Yes, relog.exe is safe when obtained from Microsoft Windows Kits and installed via official channels.
The real relog.exe is not a virus. Malware often tries to imitate legitimate tool names. Always verify the file location and signature.
Red Flags: If relog.exe is found outside the Windows Kits folders, lacks a valid digital signature, runs without a known ETL job, or consumes CPU in idle state for extended periods, run antivirus/antimalware checks and verify the Windows Kits installation.
relog.exe runs when you start an ETW tracing workflow, or when a script or automation invokes the tool to post-process traces.
Reasons it's running:
Yes, you can disable relog.exe. It's safe to ignore if you do not perform ETW trace post-processing. If you uninstall the Windows Performance Toolkit, Relog.exe is removed.
If relog.exe is consuming excessive resources during trace processing:
Quick Fixes:
1. Open an elevated Command Prompt and run a small test with a known ETL file.
2. Use a simple command to convert ETL to CSV (e.g., relog.exe yourtrace.etl -o output.csv -f csv).
3. Split large ETL files into smaller chunks and re-run Relog.
4. Verify output path permissions and ensure enough disk space.
5. Update Windows Kits to the latest version.
relog.exe is the command-line utility from the Windows Performance Toolkit that post-processes ETW traces, converting ETL files to readable formats like CSV, TSV, or XML for analysis.
Relog.exe is typically found under C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Tools\x64\ or C:\Program Files\Windows Kits\10\Tools\x64\Relog.exe, depending on your Windows Kits installation.
Open a Command Prompt and run relog.exe input.etl -o output.csv -f csv. You can add filters like -start 00:00:00 -end 01:00:00 to limit data.
Yes, relog.exe is safe when obtained from the official Windows Kits. Ensure the executable is located in the Windows Kits path and is digitally signed by Microsoft.
Relog.exe is designed to work with ETW traces generated by xperf or other ETW producers. It post-processes the ETL produced by those tools.
Processing time grows with ETL size, data types selected, and output format. Large traces with many events or filters require more CPU time; using smaller ETL chunks helps.