This article explains what is SMSTS.log file and the location of SMSTS log during SCCM OSD. Knowing the SMSTS.log file location during SCCM OSD will help you to troubleshoot task sequence failures.

When the task sequence fails with an error, it is important to know the location of SMSTS log during SCCM OSD. SMSTS.log is one of the essential log file which will help you in troubleshooting installation issues of your Windows images.

The error code with which the task sequence fails is significant and is logged in SMSTS.log file. Once you determine the error code from smsts.log file, you can use the ConfigMgr error lookup tools to translate the error code to error message.

Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC
Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC

When you install Configuration Manager, the troubleshooting is performed by reviewing the log files. In ConfigMgr, there are several log files and each log file logs the details for a specific SCCM component. To know the list of all the log files in ConfigMgr, refer to List of SCCM Log Files.

Also Read: How to Monitor SCCM Task Sequence Progress

What is SMSTS.log File?

SMSTS.log is a log file that is used for troubleshooting operating system deployment issues and Task Sequence failures in SCCM.

When you notice that your SCCM task sequence fails, the first thing that you check is smsts.log file. While the TS sequence runs, you can open the smsts.log file by pressing the F8 key. Type CMTrace and you can view the smsts.log file.

If you press the F8 key and if the command prompt doesn’t appear, it means you haven’t enabled the command support for boot image. The next section shows the steps to enable the command support for boot image.

Enabling Command Support for Boot Image (F8)

To enable the command support for boot image:

  1. Open the Configuration Manager Console.
  2. Browse to Software Library > Operating Systems > Boot Images and select the boot image you would like to add command support to.
  3. Right-click the boot image and select Properties.
  4. Select the Customization Tab and tick “Enable command support (testing only)“.
Enabling Command Support for Boot Image
Enabling Command Support for Boot Image

After enabling the command support for boot image, click Apply and OK. You will then be prompted with “You have made changes that require you to update distribution points with a new version of this package – Do you want ConfigMgr to update the distribution points now?”. Click Yes.

Note: Whenever you modify the boot image properties, you must redistribute the boot images to all the active distribution points. Only when you update the content to distribution points, the new changes are reflected.

You can open SCCM log files with different tools, however, during the task sequence failure, you must use the CMTrace tool to review smsts.log file.

So, the next question is: Where is SMSTS.log file located? The smsts.log file changes it location depending on the phase of the operating system installation you are in. As the task sequence progresses, the location of SMSTS.log file changes.

In case the task sequence fails, it displays the step name at which there was failure. Based on this information, it should be easy to grab the SMSTS.log file from drive location.

Location of SMSTS log during SCCM OSD

The below table lists the location of SMSTS log during SCCM OSD. The location of the task sequence log file smsts.log varies depending upon the phase of the task sequence.

OSD PhaseTask Sequence StepLocation of SMSTS.log file
Windows PEBefore the hard disk are formattedX:\windows\temp\smstslog\smsts.log
Windows PEAfter the hard disk are formattedX:\smstslog\smsts.log and copied to C:\_SMSTaskSequence\Logs\Smstslog\smsts.log
Windows Operating SystemBefore the SCCM client is installedC:\_SMSTaskSequence\Logs\Smstslog\smsts.log
Windows Operating SystemAfter the SCCM client is installedC:\windows\ccm\logs\Smstslog\smsts.log
Windows Operating SystemWhen the Task Sequence is completeC:\windows\ccm\logs\smsts.log
Location of SMSTS log during SCCM OSD

Suppose that the task sequence has failed with a generic error, and now you want to review the smsts.log file for more details. You have two options to troubleshoot the task sequence failure.

  1. Press F8 key to open the command prompt and use CMTrace tool to open the SMSTS.log file.
  2. Copy the SMSTS.log file to network share

If you have enabled the boot image command prompt support, press the F8 key and this opens the command prompt. The next steps will show you how to open smsts.log file in cmd.

In the Command Prompt, type CMTrace and press the enter key. This will launch the Configuration Manager Trace log tool. To open the smsts.log file, click File > Open and browse to the SMSTS.log file location on the computer and review the log file.

Location of SMSTS log during SCCM OSD
Location of SMSTS log during SCCM OSD

I hope this article helps you understand what is SMSTS.log file and location of SMSTS.log file during SCCM OSD. The table listed above is essential to know the SMSTS.log file location. If you have any questions or suggestions, let me know in the comments section.

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Prajwal Desai

Prajwal Desai is a technology expert and 10 time Dual Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) with a focus on Microsoft Intune, SCCM, Windows 365, Enterprise Mobility, and Windows. He is a renowned author, speaker, & community leader, known for sharing his expertise & knowledge through his blog, YouTube, conferences, webinars etc.