Windows Forensic Analysis

Course Category : Data Management

An advanced specialist programme for interpreting Windows forensic artefacts, correlating user activity with system evidence, and supporting investigations and incident response through accurate, defensible findings.
Duration: 5 Days
Level: Advanced

Introduction

Modern enterprise environments generate extensive Windows artefacts capable of revealing user activity, programme execution, file access, removable-media usage, cloud interaction, and web behaviour. This course develops advanced knowledge of Windows forensic analysis across multiple operating-system generations and demonstrates how distinct artefacts can be correlated to support incident response, internal investigations, cybercrime inquiries, and defensible reporting. It covers forensic triage, NTFS, Registry analysis, event records, email, cloud storage, and browser evidence, while remaining focused on advanced analysis rather than introductory evidence handling, chain-of-custody procedures, or basic drive acquisition..

Targeted Audience

Information Security and Cybersecurity Professionals
Digital Forensic Analysts
Cyber Incident Response Team Members
Cybercrime and Computer Crime Investigators
Law Enforcement Officers and Digital Evidence Investigators
Cyber Defence Forensic Analysts
Digital Media Exploitation Analysts
Internal Investigation and System Misuse Specialists
Professionals with a Background in Information Systems, Information Security, or Computing

Targeted Skills

Windows Forensic Artefact Analysis
Digital Forensic Triage and Evidence Prioritisation
NTFS Structure and File Activity Interpretation
Windows Registry and System Data Analysis
Programme Execution and File Access Tracking
USB, Shell Item, and Cloud Storage Forensics
Email, Windows Search, SRUM, and Event Log Analysis
Web Browser and Application Database Forensics
Multi-Source Evidence Correlation and Timeline Development

Expected Outcomes

Interpret the principal components of Windows systems from a digital forensic perspective.
Identify appropriate evidence sources for rapid forensic triage.
Analyse NTFS structures and correlate MFT and USN Journal records with file activity.
Derive user, system, and programme-execution information from the Windows Registry.
Trace USB usage and interaction with local, network, and removable storage locations.
Assess artefacts associated with cloud storage, deleted content, and locally cached files.
Analyse email, Windows Search, SRUM, and Windows Event Log evidence.
Interpret artefacts generated by Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and private browsing.
Explain the evidential role of SQLite, LevelDB, and ESE databases.
Organise and correlate forensic findings into a defensible investigative timeline.

Training Topics Index

Windows operating-system versions, components, and associated forensic artefacts
Core digital forensic principles and the integrity of data under examination
Live response and triage-based extraction and prioritisation concepts
Windows image examination and document and file metadata
Volume Shadow Copies, memory, pagefile, and unallocated-space analysis

Logical NTFS architecture, volumes, and system records
The Master File Table and its role in recording files, folders, and attributes
File attributes, timestamps, and resident and non-resident data
Alternate Data Streams, concealed storage indicators, and file and stream carving
USN Journal analysis for tracking file creation, modification, movement, renaming, and deletion

Windows Registry architecture and principal Registry hives
User profiles, groups, system information, and programme-execution artefacts
OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud forensic artefacts
Shell Items and ShellBags across local, network, and removable locations
USB and BYOD profiling, including connection times, user attribution, and device properties

Email evidence from Outlook, Exchange, workstations, and cloud accounts
Correlation of messages, attachments, metadata, and investigative timelines
Windows Search Database and indexed file metadata and content
System Resource Usage Monitor and application and resource-usage evidence
Windows Event Logs, user logons, remote sessions, and system unlocking activity

Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox artefacts
Browsing history, downloads, links, sessions, and user data
Private-browsing evidence, privacy-cleaning activity, and residual artefact recovery
SQLite, LevelDB, ESE, Electron, WebView2, and chat-client databases
Correlation of browser, Registry, email, event, and file evidence and organisation of findings

Course Features

Updated and Interactive Content
Hypothetical Examples and Case Studies
Pre- and Post-assessments to Measure Impact
Verified Certificate with a QR Verification Code

Windows Forensic Analysis