Logging in to your Windows computer is one of the primary activities that you perform every day. Successful or failed login attempts can give you an insight into the security of your computer and if there has been any attempt to breach it. Checking if there are successful or failed login attempts on your Windows computer can help you identify unusual activity related to your device that you may have missed otherwise.

In this article, we are going to show you how to check successful or failed login attempts on your Windows computer.

Using the Event Viewer

The Windows Event Viewer is a built-in utility tool that logs and monitors system events, including user logins and logouts. Here is how to check successful or failed login attempts using the Windows Event Viewer:

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R combination on your keyboard to launch the Run command.

Step 2: Type “eventvwr.msc” and press Enter.

Step 3: In the Event Viewer window that opens, click on Windows Logs on the left-hand pane.

Step 4: Click on Security. This will display all recorded events related to security.

Step 5: Scroll down to find Event ID 4624 and Event ID 4625. Event ID 4624 is recorded when a user successfully logs in, while Event ID 4625 is recorded when a user fails to log in.

Step 6: Click on any of the Event IDs to see the details. The Detailed Information should show the timestamp, username, and computer name.

Using Windows PowerShell

The Windows PowerShell is a command-line interface tool that allows you to access various features of your Windows OS. Here are the steps to check successful or failed login attempts using Windows PowerShell:

Step 1: Press the Windows key + X combination on your computer to access the Power User Menu.

Step 2: Click on Windows PowerShell (Admin). This opens a command-line interface.

Step 3: Type the following command and press Enter:

Get-EventLog -LogName security | Where-Object {$_.EventID -in (4624, 4625)}

Step 4: This command displays all events related to successful and failed login attempts.

Using a Third-Party Software

Apart from the Windows Event Viewer and PowerShell, there are numerous third-party tools that allow you to track user logins. These software options provide greater customization and the ability to generate reports, unlike the native tools. One such tool is Netwrix Auditor, which offers comprehensive visibility into account logins, password changes, and other user activity. With this tool, you can also detect anomalies in real-time and address any potential threats before they manifest.

In conclusion, checking successful or failed login attempts on your Windows computer is critical when it comes to enhancing your device’s security. By using the Windows Event Viewer, PowerShell, or Third-Party Software like Netwrix Auditor, you can easily monitor who is accessing your computer and take necessary measures to protect your data and privacy.