How to Create a Configuration Manager Action

Applies To: System Center Configuration Manager 2007, System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2, System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R3, System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP1, System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP2

To create a Configuration Manager console action, in Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, you create an XML file that populates an ActionDescription XML element for the action. You must then copy the XML file to the %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Configuration Manager\AdminUI\XmlStorage\Extensions\Actions\GUID folder.

For sample XML for each action type, see the following:

• Configuration Manager Executable Action

• Configuration Manager ShowDialog Action

• Configuration Manager Report Action

• Configuration Manager AssemblyType Action

• Configuration Manager Group Action

For information about deploying the action XML, see Configuration Manager Console Extension Deployment.

To add an executable action to the Configuration Manager console

1. If the Configuration Manager console is open, close it.

2. In Notepad, create an empty text file named MyConfigurationManagerNote.txt and save it to C:\.

3. In Notepad, create an XML file that contains the following XML:

   <ActionDescription Class="Executable" DisplayName="Make a Note" MnemonicDisplayName="Note" Description = "Make a note about software updates">
         <Executable>
              <FilePath>Notepad.exe</FilePath>
              <Parameters>C:\MyConfigurationManagerNote.txt</Parameters>
         </Executable>
   </ActionDescription>
   

4. Save the XML file in the folder <%Program Files%> Microsoft Configuration Manager\AdminUI\XmlStorage\Extensions\Actions\392b72f3-1c83-42e1-90ed-611798bc0dd0. The GUID identifies the software updates folder. The file name can be anything with an .xml extension, but it does alphabetically affect the ordering of actions in the context-sensitive menu and in the actions pane. If it is not already created, you must create the Extensions\Actions\392b72f3-1c83-42e1-90ed-611798bc0dd0 folder structure. Be sure to save the file as type All Files.

5. Start the Configuration Manager console.

   In the Configuration Manager console, right-click the Software Updates node under Computer Management, and then click Make a Note. Notepad opens the text file.

See Also

Concepts

Configuration Manager Actions
Configuration Manager Action XML
Configuration Manager Executable Action
How to Find a Configuration Manager Console Node GUID