Create a custom Microsoft Management Console in Windows 7

I was talking with a friend the other day who was describing a recent troubleshooting expedition. He said that while he liked having certain tools such as Device Manager, Event Viewer, and Performance Monitor available as stand-alone tools, he preferred having them all together in Computer Management. He then went on to say that at times Computer Management could become a bit crowded because it contains so many disparate tools. I suggested that he create a custom Microsoft Management Console (MMC) and add only those tools that he needed for that particular troubleshooting operation. He looked at me kind of funny and asked what I was talking about.

I then showed him how to create a custom MMC. Afterward, he said that he wished he had known how to do so a long time ago.

It then occurred to me that while most people are familiar with certain standard MMC tools, such as Computer Management or Device Manager, many are unaware that MMC is actually a shell into which you can insert various tools, which are called snap-ins. In fact, it is actually fairly easy to create custom tools in Windows 7’s Microsoft Management Console once you know how to do so.

In this edition of the Windows Desktop Report, I’ll introduce you to the basic workings of creating a custom Microsoft Management Console in Windows 7.

Read more: TechRepublic