Canonical: https://screensie.com/how-to-use-wmic

Useful WMIC inventory examples, modern Get-CimInstance alternatives, and an easier way to inspect remote Windows PCs with Screensie.

Windows inventory guide


# How to use WMIC—and what to use instead.




Updated 
October 5, 2026




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,BuildNumberwmic computersystem get Manufacturer,Model,TotalPhysicalMemorywmic logicaldisk get DeviceID,FileSystem,FreeSpace,Size `


## Modern PowerShell equivalents


` Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystemGet-CimInstance Win32_ComputerSystemGet-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](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/wmisdk/wmic).




## 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.




## Skip the inventory parsing




Open PCInfo and review the remote system without occupying its desktop.


[See Screensie](https://screensie.com/)