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Windows Linux Services & Processes Command guide Logs

Windows Event Viewer current boot equivalent in Linux

Prints journal entries for the current boot.

Windows Event Viewer current boot
→
Linux equivalents
Debian/Ubuntu same command
journalctl -b
Fedora same command
journalctl -b
Arch same command
journalctl -b

Overview

What this command does

On Windows, "Event Viewer current boot" is used to show current boot logs. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "journalctl -b". Prints journal entries for the current boot. This reference is grouped under Services & Processes → Logs.

Migration tip: For the Windows task "Event Viewer current boot", the Linux workflow on this page uses "journalctl -b" across Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch. Check paths, permissions and installed package versions before copying it into a script.

Windows → Linux context

What changes when you use this on Linux?

Equivalent task, different tool

Windows Event Viewer current boot maps to journalctl -b for this task. Treat this as a workflow mapping rather than a character-for-character syntax translation.

Portable across the compared distros

The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.

Practical tasks

Common use cases

Show current boot logs

Prints journal entries for the current boot.

journalctl -b

Show current boot logs

journalctl --help

Show command help when supported

man journalctl

Open the manual page when installed

Ready to run

Copyable Linux commands

Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.

journalctl -b

Walkthrough

Examples with explanations

# Windows equivalent: Event Viewer current boot
journalctl -b

Reference

Common options and variations

Command or optionUse
journalctl -bShow current boot logs
journalctl --helpShow command help when supported
man journalctlOpen the manual page when installed

Distro differences

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "journalctl -b" for this mapping. The command syntax shown here is portable across the three rows, although installed versions and system defaults can still vary.

DistributionPackage manager / baseEquivalent commandDifference to notice
Debian/Ubuntu same command journalctl -b Same command on this distribution.
Fedora same command journalctl -b Same command on this distribution.
Arch same command journalctl -b Same command on this distribution.

Keep learning

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