Windows 7: Authoring MMC Panels

Among the numerous flat-out ridiculous problems with Windows 7 I've had since moving from XP one of the more annoying is the in-ability to save authoring changes to MMC (.msc) panels.

In every single OS version that uses these panels I've been able as a user (or admin) to right click and author the panel, customizing it to my liking (I prefer my own versions of services, compmgmt and event viewer) but alas in this "wonder" version of Windows Microsoft decided not to allow that to happen.



I seriously wonder if Microsoft is being taken over by those who wish it to fail..but to continue.

First, it seems all of the MSC files are owned by "trustedinstaller" - after changing the ownership to me, authoring still fails. Using "run as administrator", fails. Even after I take ownership and MMC allows me to save over the MSC file, *none* of the changes I made to the file take effect.

Even stopping protected storage does nothing.

Now, yes, I can create a brand new MMC panel, add (for example) services to it, change the icon and use that instead as that will allow me to save my own look and feel but why the hell should I have to do that when I can just save the services.msc?

Another method in which to force you to convert.

This is not meant rudely! But perhaps Microsoft did not give it much focus? Why would you want to "author" (You mean delete items, instead of disable..etc<) the panels. They are not meant for frequent use, and do not trouble the user in any way.

Try taking ownership of, and then authoring the .msc's in : C:\Windows\System32\en-US

Works for me..

Naaa.. it's not that.

When you load the .MSC directly you get the default settings. However, when you enclose it in a wrapper by including it into MMC.exe the wrapper does save your settings... I get that it's easier your way but that's not the way they did it.

Fwiw. Mine are in System32 (not en-US). I run as the Administrator. Right clicking any of them in System 32 gives me a menu option to "Author" This option is not available to me if I open the panel through through "run" or similar.

I've attempted running them as administrators, taking ownership of the whole directory, authoring, nothing works. My point is that in previous editions, authoring allowed you to customize the panels to your liking. In Windows 7 Microsoft left the "author" option on the MSC files but ignores your changes to them once you've closed them. Poor planning and programming.

gmerideth,

Since nothing else works, try copying the msc to the root of your drive (C:\), then customize and see if you can save the changes.

I agree... but it's not impossible.... the attachment is just about all the important ones combined and you can change collumns, set views etc and they are saved.

gmeridith, I feel your pain. I've been trying to "fix" the services.msc file as well, but no such luck. I can take ownership and edit it, but the changes just don't stick. I suppose this is one way that Microsoft has come up with to keep the OS secure.