ExtractUsnJrnl¶
What ExtractUsnJrnl does¶
Guided SUSA tool journey
ExtractUsnJrnl supports file-system analysis. In this guide, you will use it to extract the USN Journal from a training volume for separate parsing. The procedure and screenshots provide the practical reference; the surrounding context explains what to record and how to judge the result.
Tool guide at a glance¶
Extract the USN Journal from a training volume for separate parsing.
Verified NTFS training artefacts or a working copy of a training volume image.
A traceable file-system observation correlated by record, path, change reason, or time.
Evidence and safety
Work from copies and retain raw metadata. Do not infer user intent from one timestamp or allocation state. Record the input identifier, tool version, relevant commands or settings, time and time zone, output location, and any errors or limitations as you work.
Choose your journey¶
01Understand the evidenceLearn the file-system analysis concepts and limitations.Complete when you can explain what the evidence can and cannot show.Beginner · No tool required · 15–25 min 02Follow the ExtractUsnJrnl guideWork through the commands, screenshots, and instructional sequence below.Complete when the documented workflow produces its expected output.Guided · SUSA workstation · Time varies 03Interactive labPractise the tool workflow in a safe browser simulation.Complete when the guided result is supported by the case evidence.Beginner · Browser only · 10–20 min 04Full LabInvestigate an authorised training scenario with fewer prompts and preserve a reviewable result.Complete when another analyst can reproduce and verify the outcome.Intermediate · Isolated lab · 45–90 min
How the labs complement this guide
The Interactive Lab is a safe browser simulation for practising the workflow and validation logic. The Full Lab is an independent exercise for an isolated, authorised environment. Confirm the installed tool version and expected output before relying on either exercise in a real case.
Accessing ExtractUsnJrnl in SUSA¶
ExtractUsnJrnl (by Joakim Schicht) is a DFIR utility used to extract the NTFS USN Change Journal ($UsnJrnl) from a live system or disk image so it can be analysed with other tools.
Prefer extraction from a verified image. If live collection is necessary, record the command, source volume, collection time and changes made to the system; hash the output and keep an unchanged copy before parsing it.
Open a command prompt and navigate to C:\Tools\JoakimSchichtTools\.
Clone the GitHub repository by running:
In C:\Tools\JoakimSchichtTools\ExtractUsnJrnl, run ExtractUsnJrnl64.exe to verify the installation.
