I am using the Windows 7 "Backup and Restore" control panel. I see that "Last backup" is reported but this does not include the level of detail I expect from a backup tool. Does "Backup and Restore" write more detail to log files or the system log somewhere? Test system: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional x64

You can find the windows backup logs at C:\windows\logs\windowsbackup. See: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itprogeneral/thread/bbd398bd-aab4-4719-bc2a-9aa05c0057f3 to see how to read using the Event Viewer. Jerry

Thanks for the reference to "C:\Windows\Logs\WindowsBackup." I was able to open the WindowsBackup.etl file in Event Viewer. Unfortunately, neither the General or Detail representations of the log entries provide any useful information. I also find that Event Viewer lists "Application and Services Logs\Microsoft\Windows\Backup." This node is empty except for an Operation entry with a Number of Events of 0 even though I have run Backup and Restore a number of times. Event Viewer contains a "Windows Logs\Application" folder. Entries reported with Source "Backup" appear to report messages from the service starting and stopping. Entries reported with Source "Windows Backup" are the only ones that I have found to actually hold entries on the success or failure of a specfic backup operation. This is a slight improvement over the Backup and Restore Control Panel. The Control Panel only reports the date and time of the last successful backup whereas the "Windows Logs\Application [Source:Windows Backup]" provides a history of backup runs and their success or failure. Unfortunately, these entries do not include the settings that were in effect when the backup job ran, which is a basic bit of reporting that I feel should be included.

The event logs provide the user with general information, based on the Event ID or some descriptions, you can do a further research. If you want to clear every tiny steps, please run the Process Monitor, it’s a powerful tool to help you monitor the detailed changes. This behavior is by design, if you have any suggestion, you can submit your feedback to our Product Feedback Team : http://mymfe.microsoft.com/Windows%20%207/Feedback.aspx?formID=195 Regards, Miya This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. | Please remember to click "Mark as Answer" on the post that helps you, and to click "Unmark as Answer" if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.