In Windows logging, which log is generated when a user logs onto a system?

When a user logs onto a Windows system, the Security log is generated to document this event. This log plays a crucial role in tracking authentication and authorization, as it records successful and failed logon attempts along with other significant security events. This information is vital for forensic investigations, audits, and monitoring to ensure the integrity and security of the system.

The other logs, while important for different types of data collection and event tracking, do not specifically capture user logon events in the same way the Security log does. The System log primarily records system-related events such as hardware and software issues, while the Application log focuses on application-specific events. The Authentication log, while relevant to user authentication, is not an official Windows log type; the relevant authentication events are housed within the Security log.