The smsts.log is the primary source for troubleshooting SCCM task sequence failures. The smsts.log records all the activities during SCCM operating system deployment (OSD), and it should be the first log you should review for SCCM OSD troubleshooting.
The location of smsts.log keeps changing depending on the deployment phase and OS architecture, and administrators often struggle to find it quickly. This guide provides a complete list of smsts.log locations across different stages of OSD, helping you streamline diagnostics and resolve SCCM OSD issues faster.
Location of smsts Log
| Phase | Log Location |
|---|---|
| WindowsPE, before HDD format | x:\windows\temp\smstslog\smsts.log |
| WindowsPE, after HDD format | x:\smstslog\smsts.log |
| Windows, SCCM agent not installed | c:\_SMSTaskSequence\Logs\Smstslog\smsts.log |
| Windows, SCCM agent installed | c:\windows\system32\ccm\logs\Smstslog\smsts.log |
| Windows x64, SCCM agent installed | c:\windows\sysWOW64\ccm\logs\Smstslog\smsts.log |
| Task Sequence completed | c:\windows\system32\ccm\logs\smsts.log |
| Task Sequence completed x64 | c:\windows\sysWOW64\ccm\logs\smsts.log |
CMTrace Log Viewer
You can view smsts.log using CMTrace, which is Microsoft’s preferred log viewer for SCCM/ConfigMgr. CMTrace formats logs in real time, highlights errors and warnings, and makes troubleshooting much easier compared to Notepad.
Where to find CMTrace:
- It’s included in the SCCM installation media under:
SMSSETUP\TOOLS\CMTrace.exe - On newer SCCM versions, CMTrace is automatically copied to the client during OSD and can be found in:
C:\Windows\CCM\CMTrace.exe
👉 In practice, once you locate the smsts.log file (depending on the OSD phase), open it with CMTrace to quickly identify task sequence failures.
Related Posts
- SCCM OSD – Domain Join Failed with Error code 0x54b on HP Elitebook 840 G8
- PXE-E99: Unexpected network error – SCCM OSD
- Location of smsts.log file during SCCM OSD
- ConfigMgr OSD – PXE Troubleshooting
- OSD Task Sequence Failed with Error 0x80072EE7
- Configuration Manager OSD task sequence fails with error code 0x80004005
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