Opening MSC Files

The MSC file type is primarily associated with Microsoft Management Console.

MSC	File extension: MSC
	File type:	management saved console file

What is an MSC file?

MSC files mostly belong to Microsoft Management Console by Microsoft. MSC files save custom configurations for the Microsoft Management Console (MMC). MMC hosts administrative tools (also called 'snap-ins') that you can use to administer networks, computers, services, and other system components. It comes with a graphical user interface and supports the creation, running, and saving of administrative jobs. Windows comes with a lot of native MSC files that are used on a daily basis, but also supports the creation of custom ones.

File structure: An MSC file is essentially a save/load file for an MMC configuration. Whenever you open the file, it'll always open with the added snap-ins (and their specific configuration) from when you last saved it. The following configuration will be saved: View settings, column widths, default opening location/position, and windows size. Some of the snap-ins you can add are Task Scheduler, Print Management, Performance Monitor, Services, TPM Management, and more. An interesting functionality of the MMC and the MSC files is that administrators can customize their access and usage based on user groups or computer systems.
Compatibility: MSC files are compatible with all versions of Windows, but not with other operating systems.

How can I open an MSC file?

You need a suitable software like Microsoft Management Console to open an MSC file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your MSC file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a MSC file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online MSC Text Viewer

Choose your .msc file to view

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to extract texts from MSC files or capture a screenshot to PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...

If you want to extract texts from MSC file or capture a screenshot, you can use our free Online MSC File Viewer:

Just click the "Choose your .msc file to view" button on this page.
Your MSC file will then be displayed in the browser.
Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
Then choose the file format (e.g. JPG, PDF, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Download the converted file.

Programs that open and convert MSC files:

Microsoft Management Console by Microsoft
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. MSC files are often referred to as Microsoft Management Console systems because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
CRiSP Harvest (maturation schedule file) by University of Washington School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences
CRiSP Harvest is a computer model developed by the University of Washington School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences that simulates the harvest of Chinook salmon stocks by fisheries from the Columbia River basin. The MSC extension is associated with a maturation schedule file that lists stocks with annual estimates of year-specific maturation schedules. It also provides a reference to the MAT file that contains the maturation data This file format is classified as Simple text file. Related links: CRiSP Harvest FAQs, CRiSP Harvest Manual Mentioning MSC Files, Repository for CRiSP Harvest Web Interface Under Development
eYaMosaic (graphic mosaic file) by ESRI
eYaMosaic is an image mosaicking software from ESRI for satellite images. A MSC files stores a graphic mosaic created using the software. This file format is classified as Raster. Related links: Academic Article Mentioning eYaMosaic
MuseScore (MuseScore composition file) by MuseScore Developer Community
MuseScore is an open-source music notation program. An MSC file is a composition file created using MuseScore. Newer versions of the software use the MSCX extension for these files. This file format is classified as Misc. Related links: MuseScore on Wikipedia, MuseScore FAQs, MuseScore Handbook, MSC Files Mentioned in the MuseScore Handbook

MSC file format:

A file format defines how the data in the file is structured. The first characters in a file identify the file format, for example, HTML files start with the bytes <html>. File extension, signature and file format must match; otherwise errors will occur when the file is opened. If there are problems opening a file, you must first determine the file format used. Our analysis of the MSC files produces the following result:

The MSC file extension is rarely used and mainly uses a defined MSC format. The following file formats are most commonly found in MSC files:

70% of all MSC files are associated with Microsoft Management Console Snap-in control files, which internally utilize the well-known XML format. The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a simple text-based format for representing structured information: documents, webpages, data, configuration, books, transactions, invoices, and much more. XML defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. These files are text files and can therefore be read using a text editor. The file size is in the range of 32 KB to 150 KB. The file type was developed 10 years ago and is still in use today. Several words can almost always be found in the files, e.g. ConsoleFileID, <?xml version="1.0"?>, <FrameState ShowStatusBar="true">, <FrameState ShowStatusBar="true" Logical, <MMC_ConsoleFile ConsoleVersion="3.0" ProgramMode="UserSDI"> and Author. The file name compmgmt.msc or eventvwr.msc is characteristic of these files. These files are attributed to console.

All the rest of the MSC files (30%) have different formats. If you want to find out what your MSC file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

Technical Data for MSC File Extension

File classification:

System

Related files:

mcs, msg, mmc, mscz, zip, exe, jpeg, mp4

Mime type:

text/xml

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: MSCFile, FileType: Microsoft Common Console Document, AppName: Microsoft Management Console
EXEFile: mmc.exe

ProgramID: MSCFile
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\system32\mmc.exe %1 %*

ProgramID: mscfile
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\system32\mmc.exe %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9

ProgramID: MSCFile
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\system32\MMC.EXE %1

ProgramID: MSCFile
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\SysWow64\mmc.exe %*

Show all 5 listings To Top

an msc management saved console file is a special file format by Microsoft and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with MSC files

Associate the MSC file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open management saved console files. Because only the current version supports the latest MSC file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Microsoft manufacturer website after an available Microsoft Management Console update.
To make sure that your MSC file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .MSC file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.