Tip 45: Run Microsoft Snap-in Console files without typing the .msc extension

By default, you don’t have to type the extension to run certain file types (e.g., .exe, .bat). However, running Microsoft Snap-in Consoles normally requires you to type in the full console name including the .msc extension.

When you are used to working from the command line it can be very practical not having to type the extension for it.

To add the Microsoft Snap-in Console to the list that Windows recognizes as "executables" without the extension given, you need to add .msc to your PATHEXT variable. To change this setting for a single command session, type:

set pathext=%pathext%;.MSC

To change this setting for all of Windows, you need to modify the system environment variable by performing the following steps:

  1. Start the System Control Panel applet (go to Start, Settings, Control Panel, System).
  2. Select the Advanced tab.
  3. Click Environment Variables.
  4. Under "System variables", double-click PATHEXT.
  5. Click Edit and add ;.MSC to the end of the string, then click OK.
  6. Click OK when prompted to close each dialog box.
You will now be able to start the Microsoft Snap-in Console without typing the .msc file extension after the snap-in filename (e.g., compmgmt or lusrmgr).

ENJOY!