The simplest way to create a new Data Collector Set is by using the wizard in Windows Performance Monitor. Windows Vista includes several templates that focus on general system diagnosis information or collect performance data specific to server roles or applications. In addition, you can import templates created on other computers and save Data Collector Set you create for use elsewhere.

Importing Templates

Data Collector Set templates are stored as XML files and may be imported directly from the local hard drive or from available removable or network drives.

To import a Data Collector Set template, run the Create new Data Collector Set Wizard and click Browse in the Template Data Collector screen. Browse to the location of the XML file you want to use, select the file name, and click OK.

Exporting Templates

To export a Data Collector Set you create as a template for use on other computers, open Windows Performance Monitor, expand Data Collector Sets, right-click the Data Collector Set you want to export, and click Save Template. Select a directory in which to store the XML file and click Save.

Membership in the local Performance Log Users or Administrators group, or equivalent, is the minimum required to complete this procedure.

Note

The Performance Log Users group must be assigned the Log on as a batch user user right, as described in Enable Logging for Performance Log Users Group Members.

Note

To use templates that collect data using the Windows Kernel Trace provider, you must be a member of the local Administrators group.

 

To create a Data Collector Set from a template

  1. In the Windows Performance Monitor navigation pane, expand Data Collector Sets, right-click User Defined, point to New, and click Data Collector Set. The Create new Data Collector Set Wizard starts.

  2. Enter a name for your Data Collector Set.

  3. Select Create from a template and click Next.

  4. Select the template you want to use to create your Data Collector Set from the menu.

    Note

    When you highlight an available template, its description appears to the right of the list.

  5. Click Next to choose a custom location for the data to be saved or to define more options, or click Finish to save the current settings and exit.

  6. The Root Directory will contain data collected by the Data Collector Set. Change this setting if you want to store your Data Collector Set data in a different location than the default. Browse to and select the directory, or type the directory name.

    Note

    If you enter the directory name manually, you must not enter a back slash at the end of the directory name.

  7. Click Next to define a user for the Data Collector Set to run as, or click Finish to save the current settings and exit.

  8. After clicking Next, you can configure the Data Collector Set to run as a specific user. Click the Change button to enter the user name and password for a different user than the default listed.

    Note

    If you are a member of the Performance Log Users group, you must configure Data Collector Sets you create to run under your own credentials.

  9. Click Finish to return to Windows Performance Monitor.

    • To view the properties of the Data Collector Set or make additional changes, select Open properties for this data collector set. For more information about the properties of the Data Collector Set, see Data Collector Set Properties.

    • To start the Data Collector Set immediately (and begin saving data to the location specified in Step 6), select Start this data collector set now.

    • To save the Data Collector Set without starting collection, select Save and close.

Additional considerations

  • To open Windows Performance Monitor, click Start, click in the Start Search box, type perfmon, and then press ENTER.

  • Data Collector Sets run as the System user by default. As a security best practice, you should accept this default value unless you have a compelling reason to change it.

Additional references

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