Skip to contentGo to the directory tree
Windows Directory Tree
  1. C:
  2. Windows
  3. System32
  4. LogFiles
  5. Srt\SrtTrail.txt
LogRisk: Safe

Srt\SrtTrail.txt C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt

Startup Repair log: diagnosis and repairs attempted after a boot failure.

Updated on By AltF4 Formation

What it’s for

SrtTrail.txt is the Startup Repair log: the diagnostics that ran and the repairs attempted after a boot failure. It is the file whose path appears on the Automatic Repair failure screen, and the first one to read to find out why Windows will not start.

What it contains

  • The diagnostic tests run (disk, boot configuration, system files, Registry, and so on) and their result.
  • The repairs attempted, with their outcome.
  • The root cause identified, if any, with an error code.

Risks and best practices

  • The file is effectively read-only information: it does not act on startup, and deleting it changes nothing for Windows, except that you lose the diagnostic trail.
  • From the recovery environment, the system drive letter may differ (D: instead of C:). Check it before reading the file.
  • Deleting this file does not fix an Automatic Repair loop. Address the cause: disk, BCD, driver, update.

Useful commands

Fenêtre de terminal
:: From the recovery environment command prompt (the drive letter may vary)
type D:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt
Fenêtre de terminal
# From Windows, if the file exists
Get-Content "$env:windir\System32\LogFiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt"

Format

Readable text file in blocks: diagnosis time, tests run with their result, then root cause and attempted fix.

Rotation and archiving

No rotation: the file is created when Startup Repair runs.

How to read it

Go to the “Root cause found” section, then to the list of tests whose result is not “Success”. Note the error code and the file or component named, then look up the matching cause: BCD, driver, bad sector.

Report a mistake