Scripting MMC with vbscript

Scripting Microsoft Management Console (MMC) with VBScript

Learn how to automate administrative tasks in Microsoft Management Console (MMC) using VBScript, enabling powerful system management and configuration.

Microsoft Management Console (MMC) provides a unified framework for administrative tools, often referred to as snap-ins. While many snap-ins offer graphical interfaces, VBScript can be a powerful tool for automating repetitive tasks, generating reports, or integrating MMC functionality into larger scripts. This article will guide you through the fundamentals of scripting MMC with VBScript, focusing on common objects and practical examples.

Understanding the MMC Object Model

To script MMC, you interact with its object model. The primary object you'll work with is the MMC.Application object, which represents an instance of the MMC application itself. From this object, you can access collections of snap-ins, views, and other elements. While not all snap-ins expose their full functionality directly through the MMC object model, many core administrative tasks can be automated.

flowchart TD
    A[Start VBScript] --> B["CreateObject(\"MMC.Application\")"]
    B --> C{MMC Application Object}
    C --> D["Application.Load(Snap-in.msc)"]
    D --> E[Loaded Snap-in]
    E --> F{Interact with Snap-in Objects}
    F --> G[Perform Actions/Extract Data]
    G --> H[End Script]

Basic workflow for scripting MMC with VBScript

Loading and Interacting with Snap-ins

The most common way to interact with a specific MMC snap-in is to load an existing .msc file. These files are essentially pre-configured MMC consoles that contain one or more snap-ins. Once loaded, you can often access the snap-in's programmatic interface, though the exact methods and properties vary greatly depending on the snap-in developer. For instance, the 'Active Directory Users and Computers' snap-in exposes a rich set of objects for managing users, groups, and OUs.

Dim objMMC
Dim objDoc

' Create an MMC application object
Set objMMC = CreateObject("MMC.Application")
objMMC.Show

' Load an existing MMC console file (e.g., Computer Management)
' Make sure the path is correct for your system
Set objDoc = objMMC.Load("C:\Windows\System32\compmgmt.msc")

WScript.Echo "MMC Console Loaded: " & objDoc.Name

' You can now try to interact with snap-ins within objDoc
' (This part is highly dependent on the specific snap-in's object model)

' Example: Trying to access a specific view (may not work for all snap-ins)
' For Each View In objDoc.Views
'     WScript.Echo "View: " & View.Name
' Next

' Keep MMC open for a moment to observe
WScript.Sleep 5000

' Close the MMC application
objMMC.Quit

Set objDoc = Nothing
Set objMMC = Nothing

Loading the Computer Management console via VBScript

Automating Tasks with Specific Snap-ins

While the generic MMC.Application object provides basic control over the console itself, the real power comes from interacting with the objects exposed by individual snap-ins. For example, the 'Active Directory Users and Computers' snap-in (when loaded) allows you to manage directory objects. Similarly, the 'Certificates' snap-in can be used to manage certificates programmatically. The key is to understand the specific COM interfaces and objects that each snap-in makes available.

Dim objMMC
Dim objDoc
Dim objSnapin

' Create an MMC application object
Set objMMC = CreateObject("MMC.Application")
objMMC.Show

' Load a custom console with the Certificates snap-in
' You might need to create a .msc file with just the Certificates snap-in first
' Or, you can try to add it dynamically, though loading an existing .msc is often easier.
' For demonstration, let's assume you have a 'Certificates.msc' file.
' If not, you can try to add it dynamically (more complex):
' Set objDoc = objMMC.New
' Set objSnapin = objDoc.Snapins.Add("Certificates")
' WScript.Echo "Certificates Snap-in added."

' For simplicity, let's load an existing console if available
' Replace with the actual path to your Certificates.msc or create one.
' Example: Save a new MMC console with just the Certificates snap-in as Certificates.msc
On Error Resume Next ' Handle cases where the file might not exist
Set objDoc = objMMC.Load("C:\Path\To\Your\Certificates.msc")
If Err.Number <> 0 Then
    WScript.Echo "Error loading Certificates.msc: " & Err.Description
    WScript.Echo "Attempting to create a new console and add the snap-in..."
    Err.Clear
    Set objDoc = objMMC.New
    Set objSnapin = objDoc.Snapins.Add("Certificates")
    If Err.Number <> 0 Then
        WScript.Echo "Error adding Certificates snap-in: " & Err.Description
        objMMC.Quit
        WScript.Quit
    Else
        WScript.Echo "Certificates Snap-in added to new console."
    End If
Else
    WScript.Echo "Certificates.msc loaded."
End If
On Error GoTo 0

' Now, you would typically interact with the snap-in's specific objects.
' This part is highly dependent on the snap-in's exposed COM interface.
' For the Certificates snap-in, you might use CryptoAPI or other COM objects
' that it exposes, rather than directly through the generic MMC object model.
' This example primarily demonstrates loading the snap-in.

WScript.Echo "MMC console with Certificates snap-in is open. Observe."
WScript.Sleep 7000 ' Keep open for 7 seconds

objMMC.Quit
Set objSnapin = Nothing
Set objDoc = Nothing
Set objMMC = Nothing

Loading the Certificates snap-in and basic interaction

Practical Considerations and Best Practices

When scripting MMC with VBScript, always consider error handling. Snap-ins can behave unexpectedly, and robust scripts should account for these possibilities. Furthermore, for complex administrative tasks, you might find that PowerShell offers a more modern and comprehensive scripting environment with better access to underlying system APIs and snap-in cmdlets. However, VBScript remains a viable option for simpler automation or in environments where PowerShell is not readily available.

1. Identify the Snap-in

Determine which MMC snap-in you need to automate (e.g., Event Viewer, Services, Disk Management).

2. Research Object Model

Search for documentation on the specific snap-in's COM interface or object model. This is crucial for understanding what can be automated.

3. Create MMC Application

Use CreateObject("MMC.Application") to instantiate the MMC environment in your VBScript.

4. Load or Add Snap-in

Load an existing .msc file using Application.Load() or attempt to add a snap-in dynamically using Doc.Snapins.Add().

5. Interact and Automate

Use the snap-in's exposed objects and methods to perform desired actions, such as reading data, modifying settings, or invoking commands.

6. Clean Up

Always use objMMC.Quit and set objects to Nothing to release resources after your script completes.