Automation Server: Log Location Changed After Update to 2022.2 or Later

Description

After upgrading Automation Server from a version earlier than 2022.2 (e.g., 2022.1.1) to version 2022.2 or later (e.g., 2025.1.2), Automation Server events no longer appear in the Windows Event Viewer under Windows Logs → Application in the Windows Event Viewer, even if Logs → Events is enabled in the Automation Server Configurator. Creating a new Event log entry does not restore the previous behavior.

Solution

This is a deliberate change, not a defect. Starting with Automation Server 2022.2 (Winter Release), events are written to a dedicated log under Applications and Services Logs instead of Windows Logs → Application. This change:

• Groups Automation Server messages together for easier filtering and searching.
• Aligns with Windows best practices for application-specific logging.
• Reduces clutter in the general Application log.

1. Find events in the new location

1. Press Win + R, type eventvwr.msc and press Enter.

2. Expand Applications and Services Logs.

3. Select ACD/Automation Server.

2. Update your log collection

• Change your log collection or forwarding settings so they read the ACD/Automation Server log.

• Check that the log's size and retention settings keep entries long enough to be collected. To find them, right-click the log and select Properties.

You can't move these events back to Windows Logs → Application, but you can rename the folder under Applications and Services Logs.

3. Consider File logs instead
File logs support periodic backup and log rewriting. To set them up:

1. Open the ACD/Automation Server Configurator. Either:

   • run ASWIZ.EXE from C:\Program Files\ACDSRV64_AS\SMROBOT.SRV, or

   • go to Start Menu → ACDLabs Automation Server → SERVERS → Automation server.

2. In the Logs section, set up a File log (for example, $(ROBOTHOME)\smrobot.log).

4. Go back to a previous version (if needed)

• If you upgraded with the Web Updater: Use its built-in restore option. See Chapter 6 of the Web Updater Technical Note.

• If you upgraded with an installer: First uninstall the current version as described in Removing Old Versions of ACD/Labs Software. Then run the installer for the previous version. Don't install the older version on top of the newer one.

5. Check release notes before upgrading
Automation Server doesn't have its own What's New page. Its changes are listed in the release notes of the ACD/Labs products that include Automation Server components.