How can I enable audit logs to find out who deleted a folder on my Azure VM?

To enable audit logs and identify the account that deleted a folder on your Azure VM, follow these steps:

Configure Audit Policy in Group Policy Object (GPO):

Open the GPO configuration page by running the command gpedit.msc.

Navigate to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Audit Policy.

Double-click Audit object access to open the Properties window.

Check the box for Define these policy settings

Click both Success and Failure under Audit these attempts.

Click Apply and OK.

Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command gpupdate /force to apply the configuration.

In the future if a file or folder is deleted, you can open Event Viewer -> Security Log and check for Event ID 4660 and 4663 to find the account that deleted the file/folder.

References for additional options:

Create a basic audit policy for an event category

• Apply a basic audit policy on a file or folderTo enable audit logs and identify the account that deleted a folder on your Azure VM, follow these steps: Configure Audit Policy in Group Policy Object (GPO):
  1. Open the GPO configuration page by running the command gpedit.msc.
  2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Audit Policy.
  3. Double-click Audit object access to open the Properties window.
  4. Check the box for Define these policy settings
  5. Click both Success and Failure under Audit these attempts.
  6. Click Apply and OK.
  7. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command gpupdate /force to apply the configuration.
  In the future if a file or folder is deleted, you can open Event Viewer -> Security Log and check for Event ID 4660 and 4663 to find the account that deleted the file/folder. References for additional options:
  • Create a basic audit policy for an event category
  • Apply a basic audit policy on a file or folder