Microsoft Management Console (MMC) is a Windows based application to perform computer management tasks. 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. MMc does not perform administnitive functions, but hosts tools that do. The primary type of tool you can add to a console is called a snap-in.

MMC Console

A new MMC consore consists of a window divided into two panes. The left pane displays the console tree. The console tree shows the items that are available in a given console. The right pane contains the details pane. 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.

MMC Window

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.