To create a Configuration Manager console action, in System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager, you create an XML file that populates an ActionDescription XML element for the action. You must then copy the XML file to the %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Configuration Manager\AdminConsole\XmlStorage\Extensions\Actions\GUID folder.

For sample XML for each action type, see the following:

For information about deploying the action XML, see Configuration Manager Console Extension Deployment.

To add an executable action to the Configuration Manager console

  1. If the Configuration Manager console is open, close it.

  2. In Notepad, create an empty text file named MyConfigurationManagerNote.txt and save it to C:\.

  3. In Notepad, create an XML file that contains the following XML:

      Copy Code 
    <ActionDescription Class="Executable" DisplayName="Make a Note" MnemonicDisplayName="Note" Description = "Make a note about software updates"> <ShowOn> <string>DefaultContextualTab</string> <!-- RIBBON -->  <string>ContextMenu</string> <!-- Context Menu -->   </ShowOn>  <Executable>
  <FilePath>Notepad.exe</FilePath>
  <Parameters>C:\MyConfigurationManagerNote.txt</Parameters>
 </Executable>
</ActionDescription>

  4. Save the XML file in the folder <%Program Files%> Microsoft Configuration Manager\AdminConsole\XmlStorage\Extensions\Actions\f5445252-da1d-450f-a772-7c3d3cb929fb. The GUID identifies the software updates folder. The file name can be anything with an .xml extension, but it does alphabetically affect the ordering of actions in the context-sensitive menu and in the actions pane. If it is not already created, you must create the Extensions\Actions\f5445252-da1d-450f-a772-7c3d3cb929fb folder structure. Be sure to save the file as type All Files.

  5. Start the Configuration Manager console.

    In the Configuration Manager console, right-click the Software Updates node under Computer Management, and then click Make a Note. Notepad opens the text file.

See Also