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Is there a log that shows what changes have been done since last time?

(8 posts)
  • Started 2 months ago by very452001
  • Latest reply from ispalten
  • Topic Viewed 198 times

very452001
Posts: 44

I share my laptop with my relatives as the other laptop is sent off being repaired. Theres kids in the family that like to play around with the laptop not knowing what they downloaded or what software setting they have changed? My laptop is personal and like my stuff on my laptop to be as it is. The stupid thing I did is I forgot to create a guest account so all the users that had shared my laptop had admin rights like I do.

I received my laptop back today and straight away I notice alot of junk on the desktop, files been moved around, settings been changed and god knows what else has been changed?

So I like to know is there a log I can view that shows me what programs have been installed, what settings have been changed in the software (operating system, programs etc), what files has been downloaded and what personal files have been created like pics, docs etc. since the last time time i borrowed them my laptop?

Kinda like a system restore where the computer knows whats been changed and restores it to the restore point.

Thanks,

Posted 2 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

The Windows logs in Event Viewer can give you some of that info. But, of course, when they moved your files around, that is not being logged. You should have made an image before you let the brats handle it.

Posted 2 months ago #
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ronniesonora
Posts: 919

You might try this. I myself have not tried it (also free) http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/c....._view.html

Posted 2 months ago #
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very452001
Posts: 44

ok what is the best program/software/tool/app for this?

Posted 2 months ago #
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Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 13598

Firstly, try the one ronniesonora linked to.
Personally I do it manually, using FreeCommander,
http://www.freecommander.com/
Once you get it set up, you can absolutely wizz round your system, and see what has recently been changed.

Posted 2 months ago #
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very452001
Posts: 44

freecommander is just a file manager program or is it log view program?

Posted 2 months ago #
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Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 13598

It's a file manager program, goes way beyond Windows Explorer. But as I said, I do it manually, not logs.
In fact I run my whole systems from it.

Posted 2 months ago #
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ispalten
ispalten
Posts: 6259

I don't think so outright, but if you have a 3rd party uninstaller, like Revo Uninstalled you can sort the installs by date. LH uses an Explorer replacement, FileCommander, and I use Explorer++. There are other options for Windows Explorer replacements that are good (or I should say better than Windows Explorer) that have different features, depending on what you wish to do, such as viewers in them for pictures/files, multiple tabs, and 'utilities' that vary by product.

However, for your question, unless you were using something like Revo which has HUNTER mode and you can RMB on the desktop icon and it will uninstall it, you might need to dig and look at timestamps in various folders on your computer to detect changes. Some uninstall programs will also run a 'watcher' and log installs and there are even programs that track registry changes, but none do this AFTER the fact.

Irv S.

Posted 2 months ago #
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