Supported Log Formats

CMTrace Open automatically detects the log format when you open a file. No configuration needed — just open the file.

Formats

CCM (ConfigMgr Client)

The standard CMTrace format used by Configuration Manager client logs.

<![LOG[Message text here]LOG]!><time="14:30:00.000+000" date="03-23-2026" component="ComponentName" context="" type="1" thread="1234" file="source.cpp:100">

Examples: ccmsetup.log, CAS.log, PolicyAgent.log, AppDiscovery.log, most SCCM/ConfigMgr client logs.

CBS / DISM / Panther

Servicing logs from Windows component-based servicing.

2026-03-23 14:30:00, Info                  CBS    Message text here

Examples: CBS.log, dism.log, setupact.log, setuperr.log, DPX\setupact.log, Panther logs.

Simple (Legacy SCCM)

Older SCCM-style format with $$< delimiters.

Message text here$$<ComponentName><03-23-2026 14:30:00.000+000><thread=1234>

Examples: Older Configuration Manager logs that use this delimiter style.

Plain Text

Any .log or .txt file that doesn't match a structured format. CMTrace Open displays these as-is, one line per entry.

Timestamps are extracted when they appear at the start of a line in common formats.

Auto-Detection

When you open a file, CMTrace Open samples the first lines to determine the format:

1. Check for <![LOG[ markers (CCM)
2. Check for $$< delimiters (Simple)
3. Check for CBS/DISM timestamp patterns
4. Fall back to plain text

This happens automatically and instantly. If auto-detection picks the wrong format (rare), the file still opens as plain text.

Encoding

• UTF-8 is the default
• Windows-1252 (ANSI) is used as a fallback for older log files
• Detection is automatic — no configuration needed