Error message when you try to open Device Manager or the Computer Management window: "MMC cannot open the file C:\WINDOWS\system32\devmgmt.msc" (914231)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional

SYMPTOMS

When you try to open Device Manager or the Computer Management window, you receive an error message that is similar to the following:
MMC cannot open the file C:\WINDOWS\system32\devmgmt.msc.

This may be because the file does not exist, is not the MMC console, or was created by a later version of MMC. This may also be because you do not have sufficient access rights to the file.

CAUSE

This issue may occur when one or more of the .dll files that are used by the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) are missing or corrupted:
  • Msxml.dll
  • Msxml2.dll
  • Msxml3.dll

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
  2. At the command prompt, type cd %windir%\system32, and then press ENTER.

    Note The %Windir% folder is the folder where you installed Microsoft Windows.
  3. Type the following commands, and press ENTER after each command:

    Regsvr32 Msxml.dll

    Regsvr32 Msxml2.dll

    Msxml3.dll

  4. Type exit, and then press ENTER to close the Command Prompt window.
  5. Restart the computer.

MORE INFORMATION

An .msc file for the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) is closely related to Microsoft Internet Explorer. The .msc file uses the same .dll files as Internet Explorer. Additionally, the .msc file contains a list of all the .dll files that are used by Internet Explorer and the MMC.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:4/19/2006
Keywords:kbtshoot KB914231 kbAudEndUser kbAudDeveloper
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