Managing MAC address data in Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM) can be a tedious chore. By default, the SCCM console does not display MAC addresses in the standard device views, forcing administrators to click through multiple menus or run custom queries just to find a machine’s network identifier.
The community-developed utility SCCMAddMacCols solves this exact problem. This step-by-step guide will walk you through downloading, installing, and using this tool to permanently add MAC address columns to your SCCM environment. Prerequisites Before You Begin
Administrator Rights: You must have local administrator privileges on the machine running the SCCM console.
Console Version: Ensure your SCCM console is closed before starting the installation.
Backup: While the tool is safe, it is always best practice to back up your console extension folders before making modifications. Step 1: Download the Tool
Navigate to the official GitHub repository or deployment page for SCCMAddMacCols.
Download the latest release package (usually a compressed .zip file or an installer script).
Extract the contents of the ZIP folder to a temporary location on your local machine. Step 2: Locate the SCCM Console Extension Folder
The utility works by injecting a custom extension into the SCCM console framework. You need to place the files in the correct directory.
Open File Explorer and navigate to your SCCM admin console installation path. The default path is usually: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Configuration Manager\AdminConsole\XmlStorage\Extensions
If it does not exist, create a folder named Forms inside the Extensions directory. Step 3: Deploy the Extension Files Copy the extracted XML files from your download folder.
Paste them directly into the Forms folder you located or created in Step 2.
If prompted by Windows Access Control, click Continue to grant administrator permission to copy the files. Step 4: Relaunch and Verify the Console
Launch your Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager console. Navigate to the Assets and Compliance workspace. Click on Devices or any device collection.
Right-click on any existing column header (such as Name or Site Code).
Scroll through the context menu. You will now see new options for MAC Address available for selection.
Check the box next to the MAC address column to add it to your active view. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Columns Not Appearing: If the columns do not show up, completely close the console, open Task Manager, and ensure no background AdminConsole.exe processes are still running. Then, re-verify that the XML files are in the correct XmlStorage\Extensions\Forms path.
Console Crashes: If the console fails to load, simply remove the added XML files from the directory to restore the console to its default state.
By integrating SCCMAddMacCols into your administrative workflow, you eliminate repetitive clicks and streamline daily tasks like network troubleshooting, PXE boot management, and inventory audits. To help you get this set up perfectly, tell me: What specific version of SCCM are you currently running?
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