Certificates certmgr.

msc
Indexing Service ciadv.msc
Computer Management compmgmt.msc
Device Manager devmgmt.msc
Disk Defragmenter dfrg.msc
Disk Management diskmgmt.msc
Event Viewer eventvwr.msc
Shared Folders fsmgmt.msc
Group Policy gpedit.msc
Local Users and Groups lusrmgr.msc
Removable Storage ntmsmgr.msc
Removable Storage Operator Requests ntmsoprq.msc
Performance perfmon.msc
Resultant Set of Policy rsop.msc
Local Security Settings secpol.msc
Services services.msc
Windows Management Infrastructure (WMI) wmimgmt.msc
Component Services comexp.msc
As you can see from the table the pre-configured consoles that come with XP cove
r a wide array of tasks and services. Does it really make sense to create custom
consoles when all of these are already available? Actually, it does. It's unlik
ely that any of the pre-configured consoles will precisely match the tasks you a
re faced with on a regular basis. Modifying the pre-configured consoles or creat
ing new ones allows precise tailoring of the console to a specific task or group
of tasks. This can eliminate having to move between different locations to acco
mplish tasks while helping to prevent overlooking parts of a specific task. In s
ituations where administrative tasks are performed by multiple users, creating c
ustom consoles related only to the specific task they perform lessens the chance
of error or accessing areas that should remain unavailable. Additionally, since
some consoles can be configured to administer remote as well as local computers
, customizing a console can restrict access when required.
Launching A Microsoft Management Console
As shown in the table above, Microsoft Management Consoles use the extension .ms
c which stands for Microsoft Common Console Document (MCCD). By default, files w
hich use the .msc extension open with the application Microsoft Management Conso
le (MMC). Via the file association, simply clicking on a MCCD opens it in the MM
C application. If you are more of a command line type user, typing the document
name will accomplish the same result. Either of these methods opens the console
in whatever mode it was saved in previously, which leads into the discussion of
modes: what is a mode and what modes are available?
A mode as it relates to a Microsoft Management Console is really just another wa
y of defining what type of access is allowed. It's broken down into two basic fo
rms: Author Mode and User Mode, with User Mode being further broken down into th
ree categories; full access, limited access - multiple window, and limited acces
s - single window. Setting modes is accomplished via [File] [Options...] and usi
ng the Console Mode drop-down list box. The descriptions of each mode, shown bel
ow, were taken directly from the Options Property Sheet in MMC.
Author Mode: Grants users full access to all MMC functionality, including the ab
ility to add or remove snap-ins, create new windows, create taskpad views and ta
sks, and view all portions of the console tree.
User Mode - Full Access: Grants users full access to all window management comma
nds and to the console tree provided. Prevents users from adding or removing sna
p-ins or changing console properties.
User Mode - Limited Access, Multiple Window: Grants users access only to the are
as of the console tree that were visible when the console was saved. Users can c
reate new windows but cannot close existing windows.
User Mode - Limited Access, Single Window: Grants users access only to the areas
of the console tree that were visible when the console was saved. Prevents user
s from opening new windows.
Included on the Options Property Sheet are two additional options, their availab
ility dependent on which mode was selected. If Author Mode is selected these opt
ions are grayed out. They are available for any of the User Mode selections.
Do Not Save Changes To This Console: Allow or deny the user the ability to save
changes to the console.
Allow The User To Customize Views: Allow or deny the user the ability to add win
dows rooted on items in the console.
If it's necessary to run a User Mode console in Author Mode, two alternative met
hods of opening a console in Author mode are available.
Navigate to the .msc file in Windows Explorer, right click the file and click [A
uthor].
At a command prompt, type yourconsolefilename.msc /a where yourconsolefilename i
s the name of the console file.
By default, the Computer Management console that is standard in Windows XP opens
in User Mode - Full Access. Since this mode does restrict a few options, the sc
reen capture below shows Computer Management Console opened in Author Mode using
the first alternative method listed above. It's going to be used as the basis f
or a discussion of the parts of a console.