SystemRequires admin/root
System Tracing Logs
Windows stores diagnostic tracing output under %WinDir%\tracing for built-in networking, remote access, telephony, and other system components that use software tracing and ETW-related text log output during troubleshooting and background service activity. These folders can accumulate old trace logs, circular trace fragments, and support-generated diagnostic text that no longer reflects the current driver, adapter, or service state. Kudu removes obsolete tracing files from this system log area without touching user files, accounts, passwords, or application settings.
Why clean System Tracing Logs?
- Old RAS, PPP, and networking trace logs can grow for months after connection troubleshooting, leaving %WinDir%\tracing consuming noticeable disk space with no visible benefit beyond outdated diagnostics
- Stale trace files from previous VPN, modem, or adapter issues make current troubleshooting harder because support tools and admins have to sift through irrelevant historical failures before finding new events
- Some Windows components keep appending to long-lived text traces, so a tracing folder full of legacy entries can produce huge log files that are slow to open and difficult to search when diagnosing a fresh connection problem
- After driver, adapter, or remote access changes, old tracing output no longer matches the current system state, which can lead to misleading error patterns and wasted time when a user is trying to investigate present-day disconnects
- Repeated tracing during failed dial-up, broadband, or VPN sessions can leave behind many small log fragments, and users typically notice this only when system drive free space keeps shrinking despite not saving new personal files
- Cleaning requires administrator rights because these logs live under the Windows directory, and removing them clears obsolete diagnostic residue without deleting active network profiles, saved credentials, or system configuration
What gets cleaned
Cache paths Kudu targets
Windows
%WinDir%/tracing |
Frequently asked
Common questions about System Tracing Logs
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