MMC overview

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

MMC overview

You can use Microsoft Management Console (MMC) to create, save, and open administrative tools (called MMC consoles) that manage the hardware, software, and network components of your Windows system. MMC can be run on the various Windows 9x and Windows NT operating systems, as well as Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, and the Windows Server 2003 family of operating systems.

MMC does not perform administrative functions, but hosts tools that do. The primary type of tool you can add to a console is called a snap-in. Other items that you can add include ActiveX controls, links to Web pages, folders, taskpad views, and tasks.

There are two ways that you can use MMC: in user mode, working with existing MMC consoles to administer a system, or in author mode, creating new consoles or modifying existing MMC consoles. For more information about the differences between user and author mode, see Console access options.

Keep security in mind at all times. It is good practice for administrators to use an account with restrictive permissions to perform routine, non-administrative tasks, and to use an account with administrative credentials only when performing specific administrative tasks. To accomplish this without logging off and back on, log on with a regular user account, and then use the Runas command to run the tools that require the administrative credentials. For detailed information, see Runas.

For detailed information about all security options, see Best practices for security, Security overview, and Local Users and Groups Best practices.

For Help with other aspects of the Windows Server 2003 family of operating systems, click Start, then Help and Support to access the Help and Support Center.