Where Are IIS Log Files Stored?
IIS site logs live by default under inetpub logs LogFiles with per site W3SVC folders. Central settings live in applicationHost.config.
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IIS writes W3C request logs to %SystemDrive%\inetpub\logs\LogFiles. Each site gets a W3SVC folder named by site ID, with daily files named like u_ex260912.log.
Logging paths, fields and rollover are set per site and stored centrally. HTTP.sys errors use a separate error log under Windows System32 LogFiles.
Where IIS stores this, by platform
C:\inetpub\logs\LogFiles\W3SVC1
Default location when IIS is installed on C. Site ID is visible in IIS Manager. Files need Administrator rights. Log path can be changed per site, so confirm in Logging settings if the folder is empty.
C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\config\applicationHost.config
Master IIS configuration. Holds site bindings and logFile settings. Editing requires elevation and a recycle or reset to apply in some cases. Back up before changes.
C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\HTTPERR
HTTP.sys error log for dropped connections, timeouts and parse faults. Useful when requests never reach site logs. Check error logging settings if the folder is missing.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the site ID for the W3SVC folder?
Open IIS Manager and select Sites to see the ID column, or check applicationHost.config for site entries. Match that number to the W3SVC folder name.
Why are IIS logs missing for recent traffic?
Logging can be disabled per site, disk limits can stop writes, or a custom log path may be set. Check site Logging settings, permissions on the target folder and available disk space.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.