XP SP1 - Log files to view access history of application files

[B]

XP Gurus!
I am looking for a log file that will show history of the
dates when an application file such as a PDF was
accessed. File properties will only show the last access
date and the mmc event viewer does not offer any
historical data on dates when files were accessed (at
least to my knowledge).

Does anyone know if a file exists that can show historical
file access information for WinXP?

Cheers,
B

 

[Petr Srsen MVP]

Hi,
Only one way how to find when files were accessed is to enable auditing for
those files. This is not enabled by default. Just go to file (folder)
properties, security, advanced and then auditing. There you can enable
auditing for this object for one user or group. Auditing needs to be also
enabled for your computer globally
If you never did this, you may start with Windows XP help and try to search
for "auditing".
In Event log you will then see events, when users will access files
Regards Petr