MMC Consoles
A new MMC console consists of a window divided into two panes. The left pane
contains two tabs: the Tree tab and the Favorites tab. The right
pane contains the details pane. The Tree tab, also called the console
tree, shows the items that are available in a given console. The details pane
shows information about, and functions pertaining to, these items. As you click
different items in the console tree, the information in the details pane
changes. The details pane can display many types of information including Web
pages, graphics, charts, tables, and columns.
Each console has its own menus and toolbar, separate from those of the main
MMC window, that help a user perform tasks. For more information about the main
MMC window, see The MMC window.
The operating system you are using may already have preconfigured and saved
console files available on the Programs menu or in the Administrative
Tools folder in Control Panel.
The components of an MMC console are contained in the MMC window. This window
has several menus and a toolbar that provide commands to open, create, and save
MMC consoles. The menu and toolbar on the MMC window are called the main menu
bar and the main toolbar, respectively. In addition, there is a
status bar at the bottom of the window and a description bar along the top of
the details pane.
When you open a new MMC console, a console window appears in the workspace in the MMC
window. In the console window, you can assemble and configure a new console and
then work with the tools in the console. After you add items to a console, you
can hide the main menu bar, main toolbar, description bar, and status bar to
prevent users from making unnecessary changes
to the console.
A snap-in is the basic component of an MMC console. Snap-ins always reside in
a console; they do not run by themselves.
When you install a component that has a snap-in associated with it on a
computer running Windows, the snap-in is available to anyone creating a console
on that computer (unless restricted by a user policy).
MMC supports two types of snap-ins: stand-alone snap-ins and extension
snap-ins. You can add a stand-alone snap-in, usually called a snap-in, to a
console tree without adding another item first. An extension snap-in, usually
called an extension, is always added to a stand-alone or extension snap-in that
is already on the console tree. When extensions are enabled for a snap-in, they
operate on the objects controlled by the snap-in, such as a computer, printer,
modem, or other device.
When you add a snap-in or extension to a console, it may appear as a new item
in the console tree, or it may add context menu items, additional toolbars,
additional property pages, or wizards to a snap-in already installed in the
console.
Adding snap-ins to a console
You can add a single snap-in or multiple snap-ins and other items to a
console. In addition, you can add multiple instances of a particular snap-in to
the same console to administer different computers or to repair a damaged
console. Each time you add a new instance of a snap-in to a console, any
variables for the snap-in are set at default values until you configure the
snap-in. For instance, if you configure a particular snap-in to manage a remote
computer and then add a second instance of the snap-in, the second instance will
not automatically be configured to manage the remote computer.
In general, you can only add snap-ins that are installed on the computer you
are using to author a console. However, in Windows 2000, if your computer is
part of a domain, you can use MMC to download any snap-ins that are not locally
installed, but that are available in the Active Directory directory service. For
more information about distributing software by using Active Directory in Windows 2000,
see Windows 2000 Server Help.
Taskpad views and tasks
Taskpad views are pages to which you can add views of the details pane of a
console, as well as shortcuts to functions both inside and outside a given
console. You can use these shortcuts to run tasks such as starting wizards,
opening property pages, performing menu commands, running command lines, and
opening Web pages. You can configure a taskpad view so that it contains all the
tasks a given user might need. In addition, you can create multiple taskpad
views in a console, so that you can group tasks by function or user.
A taskpad view may make it easier for novice users to perform their jobs. For
instance, you can add applicable tasks to a taskpad view and then hide the
console tree, so that a user can begin using tools before they are familiar with
the location of particular items in the console tree or operating system.
You may also use taskpad views to make complex tasks easier. For instance, if
a user must frequently perform a task that involves multiple snap-ins and other
tools, you can present tasks in a single location that open or run the necessary
dialog boxes, property pages, command lines, and scripts.
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