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Configure log access (legacy)

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\Setup

Description

This policy setting specifies the security descriptor to use for the log using the Security Descriptor Definition Language (SDDL) string. 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 matching the security descriptor can access the log. If you disable this policy setting, all authenticated users and system services can write, read, or clear this log. If you do not configure this policy setting, the previous policy setting configuration remains in effect.

Registry

HKLM System\CurrentControlSet\Services\EventLog\Setup

More options available

Options

Log Access
CustomSD text

MDM / Intune (CSP)

./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_EventLog/Channel_Log_FileLogAccess_7
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 (legacy)
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Windows Vista

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\EventLog\Setup]
"CustomSD"=""
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

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

$path = 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\EventLog\Setup'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'CustomSD' -Value '' -Type String

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

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