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Configure log access

Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 30, 2026

Windows 11 25H2

Supported on: At least Windows Vista

Path in the GPO console

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Event Log Service\Security

Description

This policy setting specifies the security descriptor to use for the log using the Security Descriptor Definition Language (SDDL) string. You cannot configure write permissions for this log. You must set both "configure log access" policy settings for this log in order to affect the both modern and legacy tools. If you enable this policy setting, only those users whose security descriptor matches the configured specified value can access the log. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, only system software and administrators can read or clear this log. Note: If you enable this policy setting, some tools and APIs may ignore it. The same change should be made to the "Configure log access (legacy)" policy setting to enforce this change across all tools and APIs.

Registry

HKLM Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\EventLog\Security

More options available

Options

Log Access
ChannelAccess text

MDM / Intune (CSP)

./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_EventLog/Channel_Log_FileLogAccess_2
Device Since Windows 10, version 2004 with KB5005101 [10.0.19041.1202] and later | Windows 10, version 20H2 with KB5005101 [10.0.19042.1202] and later | Windows 10, version 21H1 with KB5005101 [10.0.19043.1202] and later | Windows 11, version 21H2 [10.0.22000] and later Official mapping (Microsoft Learn)

Microsoft Learn documentation Mapping data: Microsoft Learn (CC BY 4.0)

Export Builder

BETA

Configure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.

These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO.

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Configure log access
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Windows Vista

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\EventLog\Security]
"ChannelAccess"=""
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Configure log access
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Vista

$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\EventLog\Security'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ChannelAccess' -Value '' -Type String

Building a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.

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