Cannot load services.msc

Bokeh

I need to run on a service before installing an upgrade to one of our programs. Every time I try to open up services, I get the below error:

MMC cannot open the file c:\windows\system32\services.msc
May be because file does not exist, is not a 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.

File does exist, logged in as admin. Tried through control panel and also through start>run>services.msc. Same error message.

MS says patch is available, but is only good for SP1 (system is SP3). Tried another option found that says to register filemgmt.dll. Tried that, didnt help.

Normally I would just nuke the computer and start over, however this is at one of my remote sites 152 miles away, and I really dont feel like spending hours driving, hours restoring, then driving back.

So if anyone has some other suggestions, I am all ears.

gateway

I would be tempted to re apply the standard security template back to defaults. Perhaps permissions have got screwed up.

Psoasman

Found this on MS support.

When I tried to open Device Manager or the Computer Management window, I received an error message: "MMC cannot open the file C:\WINDOWS\system32\devmgmt.msc"

Bokeh

That one did the trick! Thanks for the link, and saving me hours of travel time!