Audit File System

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2

This security policy setting determines whether the operating system audits user attempts to access file system objects. Audit events are only generated for objects that have configured system access control lists (SACLs), and only if the type of access requested (such as Write, Read, or Modify) and the account making the request match the settings in the SACL.

If success auditing is enabled, an audit entry is generated each time any account successfully accesses a file system object that has a matching SACL. If failure auditing is enabled, an audit entry is generated each time any user unsuccessfully attempts to access a file system object that has a matching SACL.

These events are essential for tracking activity for file objects that are sensitive or valuable and require extra monitoring.

Event volume: Varies, depending on how file system SACLs are configured

No audit events are generated for the default file system SACLs.

Default: Not configured

If this policy setting is configured, the following events are generated. The events appear on computers running Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, or Windows Vista.

Event ID	Event message
4664	An attempt was made to create a hard link.
4985	The state of a transaction has changed.
5051	A file was virtualized.