Maximizing Windows 2008 Process Monitor's Capabilities with Command Line Options

Windows 2008 Process Monitor is a powerful tool that provides detailed information about system processes, registry operations, and file activity. With its various command line options, you can tailor your monitoring experience to suit specific needs and troubleshoot issues more effectively.

One of the most useful command line options is `/externalcapture`, which retrieves more registry entries than a normal Process Monitor run. This option is particularly helpful when investigating SoftGrid applications, as it enables you to monitor registry activity on 32-bit Vista and Server 2008 systems.

For exporting logs in CSV, XML, or PML format, use the `/OpenLog` switch with either `/SaveAs1` for stack information or `/SaveAs2` for symbol information. This feature is useful when analyzing complex system issues.

Another valuable option is `/UseSystemCallHooking`, which allows Process Monitor to monitor registry activity on 32-bit Vista and Server 2008 systems using system-call hooking instead of the Registry callback mechanism. This enables you to capture SoftGrid virtual registry operations, providing a more comprehensive understanding of system behavior.

To run the 32-bit version of Process Monitor on 64-bit Windows, use the `/UseSystemCallHooking` switch in conjunction with `/OpenLog`. This allows you to open logs generated on 32-bit systems and troubleshoot issues across different platforms.

Additional command line options include `/NoConfirmFilterSettings`, which skips filter settings confirmation on startup; `/WaitForReady`, which waits for an instance of Process Monitor to become ready before starting; `/Minimized`, which starts Process Monitor with its window minimized to the task bar; and `/AutoAcceptEULA`, which automatically accepts the license agreement and bypasses the EULA dialog.

Lastly, you can use the `/ThreadProfiling` option to enable thread profiling event classes, providing more detailed information about system threads. To specify a logging file name, use the `/LogFile` switch with the desired file name.

In conclusion, Windows 2008 Process Monitor offers a range of command line options that enhance its functionality and provide greater flexibility when troubleshooting complex system issues. By mastering these options, you can unlock the full potential of this powerful tool and improve your overall diagnostic capabilities.

Windows 2008 process monitor