- ETL files are system event logs Windows used for diagnosis and troubleshooting.
- Windows Performance Analyzer allows you to open, analyze, and view data from these files graphically.
- Network Monitor offers advanced options for analyzing ETL files related to network traffic.
- Tools like Tracerpt and Event Viewer can be useful for managing ETL files in an alternative way.
ETL files (Event Trace Log) are logs generated by the Windows operating system that store system and application-specific events. These files are primarily used for diagnostics and system performance analysis. However, their binary nature makes them difficult to access without specialized tools.
In this article, we'll explain in detail how to open, analyze, and use ETL files in Windows using tools like Windows Performance Analyzer (WPA) and Network Monitor. We'll also look at alternative ways to convert these files to human-readable formats like TXT or CSV.
What is an ETL file?
An ETL file is an event log file created by the Windows kernel. These files contain information related to system performance, errors, warnings, and events captured at the operating system level. They are widely used for solving problems and monitoring performance. If you want to learn more about troubleshooting, check out our guide on network configuration in Windows.
Its format is binary y compressed, which means they can't be read directly with tools like Notepad. This requires specialized tools like Windows Performance Analyzer (WPA) or Microsoft Network Monitor.
How to open and analyze an ETL file with Windows Performance Analyzer
Windows Performance Analyzer (WPA) is an advanced tool that allows you to visualize and analyze ETL file data in a graphical and intuitive way. To use it, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open an ETL file
- Open WPA from the Windows start menu.
- On the menu Archive, Select Open.
- Find the ETL file in the folder where it was saved. By default, Windows Performance Recorder (WPR) stores these files in Documents/WPR Files.
- Click on Open to upload the file in WPA.
Step 2: Selecting graphics
Once you open the ETL file, WPA will display several graphs of the logged events. You can:
- Expand and select specific charts by clicking the triangle next to each category.
- Drag charts to the analysis tab to view their enlarged version.
- Switch between data table and chart view to get more information.
Step 3: Select and expand a time interval
- To select a time interval, drag the pointer horizontally across the chart.
- Right click on the selection and press Zoom to selected time range to broaden the view of that period.
- Repeat this process until you get the desired level of detail.
Step 4: Customize the data view
WPA allows you to customize the data table according to your needs:
- Sort columns by clicking on their headers.
- Use the Column Selector to show only the relevant information.
- Filter data by selecting items in the chart legend and applying specific filters.
Analyzing ETL Files with Microsoft Network Monitor
Microsoft Network Monitor allows you to view ETL files related to network traffic. Its use is especially useful when you want to analyze package events y network errors.
Step 1: Open an ETL file in Network Monitor
- Start Microsoft Network Monitor and select Open Capture File.
- Upload the ETL file you want to analyze.
- The tool will display the organized events in categories, making navigation easier.
Step 2: Apply filters for better viewing
Network Monitor allows you to apply filters to facilitate the reading of the events. Some examples include:
| Filter | Description |
|---|---|
| UTEvent.Header.Descriptor.Level == 2 | Filters only error events. |
| WLAN_MicrosoftWindowsWLANAutoConfig | Filters events related to the WLAN service. |
| UTEvent.Header.Descriptor.Id == 2001 | Displays events with ID 2001. |
Alternative tools for viewing ETL files
If WPA or Network Monitor are not viable options, you can use these alternatives:
- Tracerpt: Convert ETL files to TXT or CSV formats for easier reading.
- Event Viewer: It offers a basic but effective way to visualize ETL events within Windows.
ETL files in Windows are a valuable source of information about system performance and events. Although their binary format makes them difficult to read directly, tools such as Windows Performance Analyzer and Network Monitor allow their contents to be efficiently analyzed. With the right knowledge and the use of specific filters, it is possible to extract key data for system optimization and troubleshooting.
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