SharePoint Document Issues

How to Schedule or Automate SharePoint Server 2016 Audit Log Downloads

Guest Writer Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to automate or schedule the downloading of SharePoint Server 2016 audit logs instead of relying on manual downloads.

How to Schedule or Automate SharePoint Server 2016 Audit Log Downloads

Product: SharePoint Server 2016
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Administrators need to routinely collect and analyze server security and compliance reports without manual intervention.
Observed behavior: Currently, audit reports must be downloaded manually via Site Settings to a Document Library, which is inefficient for regular tracking.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Collection Administrator or Farm Administrator privileges on your SharePoint Server 2016 environment before attempting to configure audit settings or run automation scripts.

Solution 1Recommended

Consult SharePoint Server Management Forums for Custom Scripts

Because native UI scheduling is not supported in SharePoint 2016, seeking community-provided PowerShell scripts from official IT pro forums is the most reliable path.

SharePoint Server 2016 does not include a built-in graphical interface feature to schedule recurring audit log exports. Achieving this requires custom PowerShell scripting or C# solutions.

Since this pertains specifically to on-premises server management rather than standard SharePoint Online, the best approach is to leverage Microsoft Q&A and specialized administrative communities.

Access Microsoft Q&A

Navigate to the Microsoft Q&A platform or the specialized SharePoint Server Management forum.

Search for existing solutions

Use the search bar to look for queries related to 'SharePoint 2016 SPAuditQuery PowerShell' or 'automate audit log export SharePoint on-premise'.

Post your environment details

If you cannot find an exact match, create a new thread detailing your server version, farm topology, and exactly which audit events you need to schedule, so server administrators can provide a tailored script.

Consult SharePoint Server Management Forums for Custom Scripts

SharePoint Server vs. SharePoint Online: Solutions designed for SharePoint Online (using Microsoft Purview) will not work on SharePoint Server 2016. Ensure the resources you consult are strictly for on-premises deployments.

Solution 2

Automate Using PowerShell and Windows Task Scheduler

Write a custom PowerShell script using the SharePoint snap-in to generate logs, and trigger it automatically using Windows Task Scheduler.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Need a Lightweight Alternative to Analyze Audit Reports? Try WPS Office

While SharePoint Server handles heavy back-end document infrastructure, you still need a fast, reliable application to open, analyze, and format the exported Excel audit logs. WPS Office is a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office that handles complex spreadsheets effortlessly.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the quick on-screen setup instructions.
3. Analyze Your Logs: Open WPS Spreadsheets to seamlessly import and format your scheduled SharePoint audit log CSV files.

Easily open and analyze exported SharePoint audit log reports (CSV/Excel format).Highly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats.Free, lightweight, and fast to install with no heavy background services.Familiar tabbed user interface, requiring zero learning curve for Office users.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule audit log reports directly from the SharePoint 2016 Site Settings?

No, the default SharePoint Server 2016 user interface only allows manual generation and saving of audit reports to a Document Library. Scheduling requires custom scripting.

How do I manually download audit logs in SharePoint 2016?

Navigate to Site Settings, look under the Site Collection Administration section, select 'Audit log reports', choose the specific report type you need, and save it directly into a designated Document Library.

What permissions are required to view and download audit logs?

You must be assigned as a Site Collection Administrator to access the Audit Log Reports page and configure audit logging settings in SharePoint Server 2016.

Is SharePoint Online different when it comes to audit logs?

Yes. SharePoint Online utilizes the Microsoft Purview compliance portal (formerly Security & Compliance Center) for unified audit logging, which offers much more advanced native search, export, scheduling, and alert capabilities compared to on-premises SharePoint 2016.

Document & File Issues