ETL File Complications
Common ETL Opening Problems
Microsoft Event Viewer Isn't There
Double-clicking your ETL file prompts the message "%%os%% Can't Open ETL File". If so, it typically means that you don't have Microsoft Event Viewer installed for %%os%%. The OS won't know what to do with your ETL file, so double-clicking to load the file doesn't work.
Tip: When another ETL application is installed, you can choose to open it by selecting "Show Apps" and using that program.
Incorrect Microsoft Event Viewer Version
In other instances, your Microsoft Event Trace Log File file version may not be supported by your version of Microsoft Event Viewer. You will need to download a newer version of Microsoft Event Viewer if you don't have the right version. This issue mainly occurs when your Microsoft Event Trace Log File file was created by a newer version of Microsoft Event Viewer than you have on your PC.
Tip: Right-clicking on your ETL, then clicking "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac), can provide clues about your file version.
Summary: Not having the right Microsoft Event Viewer version on your computer can cause problems opening ETL files.
Associated Difficulties Loading ETL Files
Errors opening Microsoft Event Trace Log File files can still occur even with the latest Microsoft Event Viewer software installed on your computer. If you're still experiencing problems opening ETL files, there could be other computer problems. Issues that aren't software-related:
- Invalid ETL file references in the Windows Registry (the "phonebook" of the Windows Operating System)
- Corruption of the ETL file description inside the Registry
- Incomplete or bad installation of a software application associated with the ETL format
- Your ETL can't be loaded properly (file corruption)
- Past or present virus infection has affected your ETL
- Hardware associated with ETL has outdated drivers
- Your PC doesn’t have enough available resources to open the Microsoft Event Trace Log File file
Quiz: How many characters long can a filename be?
That's Correct!
The sum of the individual components of a filename (eg. subdirectory / path and the final filename) are limited to 255 characters in total.
Close, but not quite...
The sum of the individual components of a filename (eg. subdirectory / path and the final filename) are limited to 255 characters in total.