Operating Systems · Topic 5 of 15
Management Consoles and Disk Management
Use the Microsoft Management Console snap-ins Device Manager, Disk Management, Task Scheduler, Local Users and Groups, Certificates and Group Policy.
- 4 min
- MMC hosts snap-ins, and a custom console can be built with
mmc. devmgmt.mscis Device Manager, anddiskmgmt.mscis Disk Management.- Roll back driver restores the previous driver after a bad update.
What it is
The Microsoft Management Console (MMC) is a shell that hosts management tools called snap-ins. Many familiar tools, such as Device Manager and Disk Management, are snap-ins with their own shortcut. You can also run mmc and build a custom console by adding the snap-ins you use most.
How it works
Device Manager
Device Manager (devmgmt.msc) lists hardware by category and the driver for each device. A driver is software that lets the operating system (OS) talk to a device.
| Action | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Update driver | A device misbehaves or needs a newer driver |
| Roll back driver | A new driver caused problems and the previous one worked |
| Disable device | You want the device off without removing the driver |
| Uninstall device | You want Windows to detect it again or remove its driver |
A yellow triangle with an exclamation mark means a problem with the device or driver. A down arrow icon means the device is disabled. An unknown device means Windows has no driver for it.
Disk Management
Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc) handles drives and volumes.
- Initialize a new disk and choose MBR (Master Boot Record) or GPT (GUID Partition Table).
- Create and format volumes, choosing a file system and a drive letter.
- Assign or change a drive letter, or mount a volume in an empty folder.
- Extend a volume into adjacent unallocated space, or shrink it to free space.
- Split a partition by shrinking it, then creating a new volume in the freed space.
- Add drives and arrays, meaning software volumes that span or mirror disks. Storage Spaces, which pools drives, is set up separately in Settings or the Control Panel.
Common drive states are shown below.
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Healthy | The volume works normally |
| Online or Offline | Whether the disk is available to the system |
| Unallocated | Space not yet assigned to a volume |
| Not Initialized | A new disk that needs a partition style |
| Foreign | A disk moved from another computer that must be imported |
Task Scheduler
Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc) runs programs and scripts automatically. A task has a trigger such as a time, an event or sign in, an action such as starting a program, and optional conditions. It is the standard way to run a backup or a maintenance script at night.
Local Users and Groups
Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc) creates local accounts, resets passwords, disables accounts and manages group membership. It is not available on Windows Home. The same work can be done on Home from Settings or with the net user command.
Certificate Manager
Certificate Manager (certmgr.msc) shows the digital certificates stored for the current user. A certificate proves the identity of a site, person or device. Technicians open it to check whether a certificate is trusted, expired or needs to be installed.
Group Policy Editor
The Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) changes system and user settings through policies, such as password rules, restricted features and startup scripts. It is only in Pro, Pro for Workstations and Enterprise. In a domain, policies come from Active Directory and override local ones.
Many tools have a run name that ends in .msc. Typing it in the Run box (Windows key plus R) is the fastest way to open it, and the exam often uses these names.
What to remember for the exam
- MMC hosts snap-ins, and a custom console can be built with
mmc. devmgmt.mscis Device Manager, anddiskmgmt.mscis Disk Management.- Roll back driver restores the previous driver after a bad update.
- A yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager means a driver or hardware problem.
- Disk Management can initialize, format, extend, shrink and assign letters.
- A Foreign disk came from another computer and must be imported.
taskschd.mscis Task Scheduler, which runs actions on a trigger.lusrmgr.mscandgpedit.mscare missing on Windows Home.
Common mistakes
Formatting a disk that holds data. Formatting erases the volume. Check the drive letter and size first.
Expecting to extend a volume anywhere. Extending needs unallocated space next to the volume.
Reaching for Disk Management on a locked drive. Disk Management changes layout, not file permissions. Permissions are set in file properties.
Editing local policy on a domain computer. A domain policy can override the local setting, so the change may not last.
Check yourself
Which Device Manager option returns a device to its previous driver?
Roll back driver.
What does a Not Initialized disk in Disk Management need?
A partition style, MBR or GPT, before volumes can be created.
Which edition lacks Local Users and Groups and Group Policy Editor?
Windows Home.
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