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To enable Windows 11’s built-in Sysmon, open PowerShell as an administrator, enable the optional feature, then initialize it with its default configuration:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Sysmon
sysmon -iSysmon is disabled by default. It records system activity to Windows Event Log; it does not analyze events, generate alerts, or block activity. Follow Microsoft’s enablement guide, and check first that a separate Sysmon installation is not already present.
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Before you enable Sysmon
Microsoft’s dedicated setup guidance applies to Windows 11, but the reviewed documentation does not establish a minimum Windows build that guarantees the feature is available on every device. Sysmon is an optional feature and may not be present on all Windows installations.
Built-in Sysmon cannot coexist with the standalone Sysmon version. In an elevated PowerShell window, check for an existing service:
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Get-Service sysmon*If the command returns a Sysmon service, uninstall the standalone version before proceeding. Microsoft’s enablement instructions cover the built-in feature and this compatibility requirement.
Enable and initialize built-in Sysmon
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Open PowerShell with administrator privileges.
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Enable the Windows optional feature:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Sysmon -
Initialize Sysmon using its default configuration:
sysmon -i -
Verify that it is recording events. In Event Viewer, open Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > Sysmon > Operational. Look for events such as Process Create, Network Connect, or File Create.
Use an XML configuration when you need to tune collection
The default configuration is the quickest way to initialize Sysmon. If you need to specify event types or filtering rules, create an XML configuration file with the event-selection and include/exclude rules you want.
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To install Sysmon with that file, run:
sysmon -i <path-to-config.xml>To apply a configuration file to an existing installation, run:
sysmon -c <path-to-config.xml>Review and test configuration changes before deploying them broadly: poorly tuned collection can produce a high volume of events.
Where the events go—and what Sysmon does not do
Built-in Sysmon remains resident across reboots when enabled and writes activity to Windows Event Log. Microsoft identifies process creation, network connections, and file creation-time changes among the activity it can capture. Events can also be collected through Windows Event Collection or a SIEM agent, as described in Microsoft’s Sysmon overview.
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Sysmon is telemetry collection, not a standalone threat detector: it does not analyze the events it generates, generate alerts, or block or prevent activity. Another system or analyst must use the collected events for detection and response.
Microsoft also notes that rendered event message text is localized, while the underlying XML event data remains consistent across languages. If scripts or collection pipelines process rendered messages, account for localization; XML event data is the more consistent basis across language settings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why Settings and DISM instructions may not match your device
Microsoft Support’s KB5077241 preview notes list a Settings route—Settings > System > Optional features > More Windows features > Sysmon—and this DISM command:
Dism /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:SysmonBoth routes are followed by sysmon -i. However, the same support page’s April 10, 2026 change log says Sysmon was removed from that update’s documentation and planned for a future release, despite retaining the feature entry. That conflict means the KB entry alone should not be treated as proof that a particular Windows 11 build offers the option. If the Settings entry or DISM route is unavailable, use the PowerShell procedure in Microsoft’s dedicated Learn guide where the feature is present.
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