Send console message overview
Updated: January 21, 2005
Send Console Message extends the Computer Management, Shared Folders, and Services snap-ins. By using Send Console Message, you can send a message to some or all users who have an active session with a computer that you are managing. For example, if you have to shut down or restart a computer that you are managing, you can send a message that notifies all users who are attached to a shared volume, folder, or printer on the computer.
You can start the Send Console Message tool from the console root in Computer Management, Shared Folders, or Services. The operation of Send Console Message differs slightly, depending on the console root from which you start it. When you start Send Console Message from the console root in Computer Management, the list of recipients contains only the name of the computer that you are managing. When you start Send Console Message from the console root in Shared Folders or Services, the list of recipients contains the names of all the computers that have sessions currently open with the computer that you are managing.
For a console message to be received, the Messenger service must be running on the recipient's computer. By default, this service is disabled on the Microsoft® Windows Server 2003 family of products. For information about how to configure the startup options for this service, see Configure how a service is started .
Important
- Console messages are not private; use caution when you send information through console messages. It is also important to verify the accuracy and legitimacy of any console messages that you receive.