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The first step in the investigation process for a forensics expert analyzing IIS logs is to extract IIS log entries. This step is crucial because it involves gathering relevant data that will be instrumental in the subsequent phases of the analysis. The IIS logs contain important information such as request URLs, timestamps, client IP addresses, and the response codes generated by the server. By extracting these entries, the forensic expert can start to form a comprehensive view of the web server's activity and identify any anomalies, such as unauthorized access or unusual patterns that may indicate a security breach.

Monitoring user activity would come after the log entries have been extracted, as the logs provide the necessary context for understanding user behavior. Changing server configurations is not typically a step taken during the initial investigation, as it could potentially compromise the integrity of the evidence being analyzed. Identifying network traffic is another aspect that may be performed, but it usually follows a preliminary analysis of the log data. Thus, extracting IIS log entries serves as the foundational step that will guide the forensic expert throughout the investigation process.