You are prompted to choose between the 64-bit MMC snap-in and the 32-bit MMC snap-in when you try to open a MMC snap-in on a computer that is running an x64-based version of Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition (898657)

INTRODUCTION

When you try to open a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in on a computer that is running an x64-based version of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, a dialog box is displayed that prompts you to choose between the 64-bit MMC snap-in and the 32-bit MMC snap-in.

This behavior occurs when both the 64-bit MMC snap-in and the 32-bit MMC snap-in exist for the same task on the same computer that is running an x64-based version of Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. In this case, you must choose the correct snap-in for the task that you want to perform, and then click OK.

MORE INFORMATION

By default, the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition use the 64-bit MMC snap-in. However, you may occasionally require the 32-bit MMC snap-in to successfully run MMC snap-ins in the WOW64 subsystem.

A MMC snap-in can contain other MMC snap-ins. When you start a 64-bit MMC snap-in that contains a 32-bit MMC snap-in, a dialog box is displayed that prompts you to choose between the 64-bit MMC snap-in and the 32-bit MMC snap-in.

Technical support for Windows x64 editions

Your hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for Microsoft Windows x64 editions. Your hardware manufacturer provides support because a Windows x64 edition was included with your hardware. Your hardware manufacturer might have customized the Windows x64 edition installation with unique components. Unique components might include specific device drivers or might include optional settings to maximize the performance of the hardware. Microsoft will provide reasonable-effort assistance if you need technical help with your Windows x64 edition. However, you might have to contact your manufacturer directly. Your manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that your manufacturer installed on the hardware.

For product information about Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/default.mspx

For product information about Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 editions, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/64bit/x64/default.mspx

REFERENCES

For more information about the MMC behavior on the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, see the "Running 32-bit and 64-bit snap-ins in 64-bit Windows" topic in the "Using MMC 2.0" section of the Microsoft Platform SDK documentation. To view this document, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/mmc/mmc/running_32_bit_and_64_bit_snap_ins_in_64_bit_windows.asp