Intel Smart Sound Technology produces huge etl log in audiolog folder

[ChrisLaMantia]

A previous thread, "Intel Smart Sound Technology produces huge log and degrades CPU performance", described this issue but that thread is now locked. It's the first thing that comes up in relation to this problem.

To review, the Intel Smart Sound Technology (ISST) produces massive trace log (.etl) files in folder:

c:\Windows\Logs\AudioLog\ISST.etl.*

These are related to microphone usage. Of ciourse with the proliferation of AI and smart assistance we are all using our mics more than ever and these files will completely fill your hard drive.

After chasing solutions for a year, I think I finally have one. Edit the registry and go to:

\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\WMI\Autologger\AudioSST

One of the values within that key is a DWORD entry called start. Change it from 1 to 0.

Since doing this I have not yet had another giant ISST.etl file.

[ChrisLaMantia · Accepted solution]

The "proper" way to turn this on and off is through Computer Management:

Right click on the Start button
Open Computer Management
Open System Tools

Open Performance

Open Data Collector Sets

Open Startup Event Trace Sessions

Select AudioSST

In the right pane, under Audio SST, select More Actions

Select Properties

Select the Trace Session tab
Un-check Enabled.

For me it's so much easier to go to \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\WMI\Autologger\AudioSST and set "start" to 0. But this is the "correct" way.