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Do you think someone has been sneaking on your computer? You can use Windows' Event Viewer or Mac's Terminal to see the last activity on your computer, including when it was powered on. Here's how to know when your computer was last used.
Things You Should Know
- On Windows, right-click the Start menu and click "Event Viewer". Click "Windows Logs" → "System" to view the event log.
- To add a filter, click "Filter Current Log…" → "Event Sources" → select "Power-Troubleshooter" → "OK".
- On Mac, open Terminal. Type "last" and press "Enter" to view the event log.
Steps
Right-click the Start menu. This will open a menu.[1]- This method will work on Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers.
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Double-click "Windows Logs". This is in the left panel. The folder will expand.
Click System. This will be underneath Setup'.
View the event log. You'll see a list of everything that happened on your computer with the date, time, source, event ID, and more.[3]- Click an event to see more details.
Find when your computer was turned on (optional). If you want to filter the event log to only show when your computer was powered on, do the following:- Click Filter Current Log… in the right panel.
- Click the Event sources: drop-down menu.
- Select Power-Troubleshooter.
- Click OK.
- View the date and time for each event.
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Open Terminal. This can be done from the Launchpad, Finder, or Spotlight.[4]
Type last and press ↵ Enter. This will send the command.
View the event log. Terminal will list all recent login events with your account username and the date and time it happened.[5]- If you suspect someone is using your computer without your knowledge, changing your password may help.
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Community Q&A
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- QuestionHow do I delete events from Event Viewer?
Community AnswerOn the right side under where it says "Action" you click "Clear Log" and it gives you the option to save and clear or to just clear the logs. - QuestionHow do I use my web cam to capture whoever logs in to my computer?
Community AnswerYou can use a batch script to do that. Copy and paste this code:@echo offif not exist "C:\Login History" mkdir "C:\Login History"if not exist "C:\Login History\history.log" echo Login History>"C:\Login History\history.log"echo %userdomain%\%username% logged in at %date%%time%>>"c:\login history\history.log"Then, save it as C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp\anyname.batTo view who logged in, open C:\Login History\history.log - QuestionCan I find out when my computer was turned on?
Community AnswerYes, via the system log within the event viewer. It will show you the date and time of the events and you might be able to tell if there is something suspicious.
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Warnings
- Avoid changing any settings unless you know exactly what you're doing.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/inside/event-viewer
- ↑ https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/event-viewer-how-to-access-the-windows-10-activity-log/
- ↑ https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/event-viewer-how-to-access-the-windows-10-activity-log/
- ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/terminal/open-or-quit-terminal-apd5265185d-f365-44cb-8b09-71a064a42125/mac
- ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/console/activities-cnsl6df527d3/mac
About This Article
How.com.vn Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by How.com.vn staff writer, Rain Kengly. Rain Kengly is a How.com.vn Technology Writer. As a storytelling enthusiast with a penchant for technology, they hope to create long-lasting connections with readers from all around the globe. Rain graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema. This article has been viewed 507,309 times.
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Co-authors: 20
Updated: January 4, 2024
Views: 507,309
Categories: Windows
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 507,309 times.
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