Authoring MMC Panels

G

gmerideth

New member
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?
 

My Computer

OS
Crappy Windows 7
Another method in which to force you to convert.
 

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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.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Three desktops and one laptop with good specs..
OS
Vista and now 7 in 32 and 64 bit.
Try taking ownership of, and then authoring the .msc's in : C:\Windows\System32\en-US

Works for me..

:D
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Ultimate
gmerideth said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 

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Homebrew
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yes
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Also ASRock ION 330 as HTPC (on XP).
Acer Aspire as GP netbook (on XP).
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.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Three desktops and one laptop with good specs..
OS
Vista and now 7 in 32 and 64 bit.
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.
 

My Computer

OS
Crappy Windows 7
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.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Too many to describe...
OS
Windows 7 x64 pro/ Windows 7 x86 Pro/ XP SP3 x86
gmerideth said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 

Attachments

My Computer

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Homebrew
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XP Pro SP3 X86 / Win7 Pro X86
CPU
Amd 64 x2 4200 (2.4ghz)
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Asus M2N-MX SE Plus
Memory
Kingston DDR2 800 2gb
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GF-8400
Sound Card
Realtek on Motherboard
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Acer x-193bw
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900
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Western Digital 500g
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350watt In-Win
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In-Win
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Air
Keyboard
yes
Mouse
yes
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5mpbs
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Also ASRock ION 330 as HTPC (on XP).
Acer Aspire as GP netbook (on XP).
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.
 

My Computer

OS
Win7
This may not be the tidiest, but it's how I've been customizing the windows for the .msc plugins since I discovered Win7 wouldn't save changes like XP and it works for me. For example, using services.msc:

Run > MMC
File > Open
Type or copy in: %windir%\system32\services.msc Then services window opens.
File > Options
Uncheck "Do not save changes to this console" , then Apply, then OK.
Customize the window as desired, close it, answer "Yes"
Give the file a new name, such as services2.msc, because it will not replace the original file with the changed one. Save.
Then make your own shortcuts with the new name. Or use Run and after typing it once, it will afterwards pop into view with one letter, with autocomplete on.

I'm sure there's a more elegant solution out there.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7
I tried going the the route debugged recommended, but then I get the UAC prompt every time I run it. I don't really want to disable the UAC, but that prompt can be annoying. Any way of making a custom .msc file that is trusted?
 

My Computer

OS
Win7
Disabling UAC is not for everyone. I have always got rid of it one way or another since Vista, and no probs yet.

However, I think I have a solution for you so you don't have to disable it for everything, only for your chosen files - I tried it and it works:UAC Trust Shortcut

As part of the installation it will install Microsoft .NET framework 4 Client Profile. (40MB)
After it's installed, run it (it gets pinned to your Start menu) you can add shortcuts to your .msc files that you made. These will run bypassing UAC. The shortcuts are placed on your desktop with the blandest icon ever, but you can change that.

Cool software.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

OS
Windows 7
Stixbit said:
Try taking ownership of, and then authoring the .msc's in : C:\Windows\System32\en-US
Click to expand...

@Stixbit: You just saved me hours of frustration. +1 Rep!

@Everyone: Win7 uses many obscure virtual folders. Editing and saving the *.msc file in \en-US caused the same file in \System32 to instantly show my changes.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 x64 Home Premium
Totally works - thanks patrjck for making Stixbit's solution clear.

So the .msc files in system32 are just hardlinks to the files in system32\en-US
You take ownership and control of the .msc files in system32\en-US, author them and save changes, and presto - all your shortcuts to the files in system32 open with all your customizations. So simple now!
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7
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