Windows is starting up
Windows is starting up. Indicates initialization of the Local Security Authority (LSASS).
Event ID 4608 is recorded when the operating system boots up and the Local Security Authority subsystem (`lsass.exe`) begins processing authentication and audit policies.
Failure Reason / Root Cause:
Normal operating system startup, hardware power cycle, or reboot after updates or unauthorized modifications.
Raw Event XML snippet
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Security-Auditing" Guid="{54849625-5478-4994-A5BA-3E3B0328C30D}" />
<EventID>4608</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>0</Level>
<Task>12544</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x8020000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2026-07-17T09:54:44.855Z" />
<EventRecordID>1048576</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="612" ThreadID="1024" />
<Channel>Security</Channel>
<Computer>DC01.enterprise.internal</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="SubjectUserSid">S-1-5-18</Data>
<Data Name="SubjectUserName">SYSTEM</Data>
<Data Name="SubjectDomainName">NT AUTHORITY</Data>
<Data Name="SubjectLogonId">0x3e7</Data>
<!-- Event telemetry fields specific to Windows is starting up -->
</EventData>
</Event>Recommended actions
- Correlate startup times across endpoints to detect unauthorized unexpected reboots.
- Verify subsequent Event ID 4616 (system time change) and 4609 (LSA shutdown) patterns.