HOW TO: Create and Save a Custom Console by Using Microsoft Management Console in Windows XP

You can use Microsoft Management Console (MMC) to create a custom console (or administrative tool) to hold a snap-in that you use to manage a computer. Administrators typically create custom MMC consoles to enable them to modify commonly used Group Policy settings or other objects. You can use a custom MMC console to find and change (or disable) the Group Policy settings easily. This step-by-step article describes how to create and save a custom MMC console in Windows XP.

How to Create a New Console by Using MMC

1. Click Start, click Run, type mmc in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Click Add/Remove Snap-in on the File menu.
3. Click Add.
4. Double-click the snap-in that you want to add, and then follow the instructions in the wizard that starts.

How to Save a Console That You Created by Using MMC

1. After you create a custom console by using MMC, click Save on the File menu.
2. Type a name for the file (Windows XP automatically adds the .msc extension).
   
   Consoles that you create by using MMC are stored in the Documents and Settings\User_name\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools folder by default.
   
   NOTE: Consoles that you save to this folder are listed with the other snap-ins in the Administrative Tools folder on the Programs menu for the user.

Troubleshooting

If a wizard does not start after you click the snap-in that you want to add to the custom console, you can only add the snap-in to the local computer. If a wizard starts and prompts you to add the snap-in to a remote computer, either type the name of the computer or click Browse to locate the computer. Group Policy starts a wizard that you can use to apply the policy to remote computers.