Screensie
Windows inventory guide

How to use WMIC—and what to use instead.

Updated

For current Windows automation, query WMI with PowerShell Get-CimInstance, such as Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem. WMIC is deprecated and may be unavailable; the legacy commands below apply only where it is installed.

Read-only WMIC examples

wmic os get Caption,Version,BuildNumber
wmic computersystem get Manufacturer,Model,TotalPhysicalMemory
wmic logicaldisk get DeviceID,FileSystem,FreeSpace,Size

Modern PowerShell equivalents

Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem
Get-CimInstance Win32_ComputerSystem
Get-CimInstance Win32_LogicalDisk

Filter the properties you actually need and avoid building new automation around WMIC. Test scripts on the Windows versions you support.

With Screensie

Command Center PCInfo gathers operating system, hardware, storage, display, network-adapter and driver details into a readable interface. Its confirmed PowerShell console is available for an authorized one-off query when the built-in inventory does not cover it.

Reference: Microsoft WMIC documentation and deprecation notice.

Common questions

What should I use instead of WMIC?

Use PowerShell CIM cmdlets for current automation. For example, Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem returns operating-system information as structured objects. WMI remains available even when the legacy WMIC utility is absent.

Can I still use the legacy WMIC examples?

Only on a Windows installation that still includes WMIC. Prefer the equivalent CIM query for new scripts, and inspect read-only results before translating commands that change a system.