Canonical: https://screensie.com/knowledge-base/command-line/command-prompt/legacy-wmic-basics/

Understand common WMIC inventory commands and their supported PowerShell CIM replacements. WMIC is removed from Windows 11 24H2 and later; use.

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# Legacy WMIC Basics and Modern Replacements




## What should I use instead of WMIC?




WMIC is removed from Windows 11 24H2 and later; use Get-CimInstance for current automation.




Understand common WMIC inventory commands and their supported PowerShell CIM replacements.




Updated 
September 2, 2026
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 7 min
Applies to: Windows, Windows 10, Windows 11


 


Follow the steps in order and stop if the screen or target does not match what is described. Use administrator access only when the task requires it.




**Before you begin**


Save open work. Confirm that you are working on the intended computer and that you are authorized to make the change.




## Check availability




Do not attempt to reinstall WMIC on current Windows. Existing older systems may still contain wmic.exe.




## Operating-system query




Legacy: wmic os get Caption,Version,BuildNumber. Modern replacement:




Command

```
Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem | Select-Object Caption, Version, BuildNumber
```




## Computer-system query




Legacy: wmic computersystem get Manufacturer,Model. Modern replacement:




Command

```
Get-CimInstance Win32_ComputerSystem | Select-Object Manufacturer, Model
```




## Disk query




Legacy: wmic logicaldisk get DeviceID,Size,FreeSpace. Modern replacement:




Command

```
Get-CimInstance Win32_LogicalDisk | Select-Object DeviceID, Size, FreeSpace
```




## Migrate scripts




Replace WMIC parsing with structured CIM objects. Test on every supported Windows version before deployment.




## Keep WMI and WMIC distinct




The wmic.exe command-line tool is removed; the WMI infrastructure and PowerShell CIM cmdlets remain available.




**Verify the result**


Repeat the relevant check and confirm the intended result before considering the task complete.


 


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