Get-Package -Name "Reader" | Uninstall-Package
Last updated: 2026
The transition from the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) to more modern management frameworks represents a significant chapter in the evolution of Windows administration. Once hailed as a "secret weapon", WMIC is now entering its final stages of deprecation in favor of PowerShell. The Rise of the Management Interface
Introduced as a way to simplify the complex Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) infrastructure, WMIC allowed system administrators to query hardware and software details directly from a standard command prompt. For years, it served as the go-to tool for retrieving PC serial numbers, CPU details, and network information without needing third-party software. Its power lay in its "aliases," which translated difficult WMI classes into simple keywords like diskdrive or os. The Inevitable Deprecation
Despite its utility, WMIC faced inherent limitations. It struggled with modern text encoding—often outputting a "mess" of OEM or ANSI codepages—and had difficulties handling methods that required complex embedded objects.
Microsoft began the formal deprecation process as early as 2012, and by Windows 11 version 24H2, WMIC became an "Optional Feature" that was disabled by default. In the upcoming Windows 11 version 25H2, the tool is slated for complete removal from the OS.
Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) has been a staple for system administrators for decades. While Microsoft is transitioning toward PowerShell for systems management, WMIC remains a powerful tool for quick queries and local management tasks. If you are looking for the latest information on the command wmic /? or seeking "new" ways to leverage this legacy tool in modern environments, this guide covers everything you need to know. Understanding the WMIC Help System
The most basic form of help in WMIC is the /? switch. Because WMIC is structured hierarchically, you can use the help command at any level to see available options.
Global Help: Type wmic /? to see global switches like /node (for remote access) or /output (to save results).
Alias Help: Type wmic product /? to see verbs available for software management (like install, uninstall, or get).
Verb Help: Type wmic process call /? to see the specific parameters required for a method call. New Context: WMIC Deprecation and Alternatives
It is important to note that WMIC was officially deprecated by Microsoft in 2021. In newer builds of Windows 11 and Windows Server, the WMIC feature is "Available on Demand" rather than installed by default.
If you are looking for the "new" version of WMIC, you are likely looking for CIM (Common Information Model) cmdlets in PowerShell. These are faster, more secure, and handle objects instead of just text strings. Modern Alternatives to WMIC Commands:
Process Management:Old: wmic process get name,executablepathNew: Get-CimInstance Win32_Process | Select-Object Name, Path
Software Inventory:Old: wmic product get name,versionNew: Get-CimInstance Win32_Product | Select-Object Name, Version
System Information:Old: wmic bios get serialnumberNew: Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber How to Enable WMIC in New Windows Versions
If your legacy scripts still rely on WMIC and it is missing from your system, you can re-install it via Optional Features: Open Settings. Go to System > Optional features. Click View features. Search for "WMIC" and click Next to install. Advanced WMIC Tips for 2024
Even though it is an older tool, WMIC has some "hidden" features that are still incredibly useful for quick troubleshooting:
HTML Reporting: You can generate a full hardware report in HTML format by using: wmic /output:report.html baseboard get /format:hform.
Remote Execution: Use the /node switch to run commands against a remote PC on your network: wmic /node:"RemotePCName" bios get serialnumber.
Context Switching: Typing wmic by itself enters an interactive "shell" mode, which is helpful if you need to run several commands in a row without re-typing the prefix. Conclusion
While there isn't a "new" version of the WMIC executable itself, the "new" way to use it involves understanding its place as a legacy bridge to PowerShell. For quick, one-line queries in a Command Prompt, WMIC is still a champion. However, for long-term automation and modern security standards, transitioning your WMIC logic to PowerShell CIM cmdlets is the best path forward.
utility is a legacy command-line tool used to query and manage Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). Stack Overflow If you are looking for help with the
functionality specifically in a "solid piece" or complete manner, here is the direct syntax for creating new instances: Creating New Instances with WMIC
verb is used to create a new instance of a class and set its property values. Microsoft Learn Basic Syntax:
wmic
wmic environment create name="TEMP_VAR", variablevalue="NewValue", username="
WMIC couldn't do this natively without ugly scripts. Register-CimIndicationEvent lets you watch for new processes or USB drives.
# Alert me when a new process starts (like Notepad)
Register-CimIndicationEvent -Query "SELECT * FROM Win32_ProcessStartTrace" -Action Write-Host "New Process: $($Event.SourceEventArgs.NewEvent.ProcessName)"
For a new user, start by using wmic [alias] get /? to explore what data is available. The tool is most useful for read-only queries (checking specs, serial numbers, and status) in environments where PowerShell might be restricted or for quick legacy batch scripts.
The command wmic help new is used within the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) utility to display help documentation for creating new instances of WMI objects or aliases. Command Overview
When you run wmic help new, the system provides the syntax and available parameters for the NEW verb. This verb is used to add new data or configurations to the WMI repository for specific classes that support instance creation. Syntax: NEW [options]
Usage: It is typically used with an alias (like useraccount or share) to create a new resource. For example: wmic share call create ... (though many users prefer call create, some specific classes utilize the direct new verb logic). Key Status Note: Deprecation
As of late 2025 and 2026, Microsoft has officially removed WMIC from default installations of Windows 11 (version 24H2 and 25H2).
Status: It is now considered a "Feature on Demand" (FoD) that must be manually installed via the Windows Optional Features menu or PowerShell.
Recommendation: Microsoft strongly advises transitioning to PowerShell, which provides more efficient and modern ways to query and manage WMI. How to Access Help in WMIC
If you still have WMIC installed, you can explore help for other verbs or global switches by using these commands: wmic /?: General help and list of global switches.
wmic [alias] /?: Specific help for a class alias (e.g., wmic process /?).
wmic [alias] [verb] /?: Help for a specific action (e.g., wmic process call /?). AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
WMIC is Dead (Almost): How to Handle the New 24H2/25H2 Reality
If you’re a sysadmin, IT pro, or power user who relies on wmic.exe for quick Windows scripting, things are changing. As of the 24H2 update, WMIC is officially no longer pre-installed by default. wmic help new
With the upcoming 25H2 release, WMIC will be fully removed from Windows 11.
Here is what you need to know about the "new" WMIC—or more accurately, how to move away from it. 🚨 What's Happening? Deprecated: WMIC has been deprecated since Windows 10 21H1.
Disabled by Default (24H2): It exists as a "Feature on Demand" (FoD), but is not active in clean installs.
Removed (25H2): It will no longer be available as a FoD, meaning it's gone for good.
What about WMI? The underlying Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) technology is NOT going away—just the command-line interface tool. 🔧 How to Still Use WMIC (If You Must)
If you have legacy scripts that you can’t immediately update, you can re-enable WMIC via the Optional Features menu: Open Settings > System > Optional features. Select View features next to "Add an optional feature."
Type "WMIC" in the search box, check the box, and select Next to install.
Command Line Method:You can add it quickly via elevated Command Prompt/PowerShell: DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:WMIC~~~~ Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 🚀 The "New" Way: PowerShell Replacement
Microsoft has officially replaced WMIC with PowerShell, specifically the CIM (Common Information Model) cmdlets, which are faster and more reliable.
Here are the most common wmic to Get-CimInstance replacements: Old wmic Command New PowerShell Command Get Serial Number wmic bios get serialnumber Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber Get Model wmic csproduct get name Get-CimInstance Win32_ComputerSystem | Select-Object Name List Processes wmic process get name Get-CimInstance Win32_Process | Select-Object Name Uninstall App wmic product where name="..." call uninstall
Here’s a short, helpful post for IT pros or sysadmins who still rely on WMIC (even as Microsoft deprecates it):
🛠️ WMIC Cheat Sheet – New & Useful One-Liners
Because sometimes you just need a quick query without PowerShell
Even with WMIC being deprecated, it’s still available in many Windows builds. Here are some clean, practical commands:
📋 Hardware info
wmic cpu get name, maxclockspeed
wmic memorychip get capacity, speed
wmic diskdrive get model, size
💻 System details
wmic os get caption, installdate, lastbootuptime
wmic computersystem get manufacturer, model, totalphysicalmemory
🪪 User & accounts
wmic useraccount where "name='%username%'" get sid
wmic sysaccount list brief
🔌 Service control
wmic service where "name='spooler'" call startservice
📁 BIOS & serial
wmic bios get serialnumber, version
🧠 Pro tip:
Use /format:csv or /format:htable for cleaner output.
⚠️ Start migrating key scripts to PowerShell (Get-CimInstance is the modern replacement), but for quick interactive checks? WMIC still delivers.
Would you like a version tailored for beginners, or one focused on migration to PowerShell?
WMI command-line (WMIC) utility is a powerful tool for querying system information and managing Windows via the command line. While it is being deprecated in newer Windows versions in favor of PowerShell, it remains a "secret weapon" for quick system audits and batch scripting. Microsoft Learn Getting Started with WMIC You can use WMIC in two ways: Interactive Mode and press Enter to enter a dedicated shell ( wmic:root\cli>
). This is ideal for running multiple commands without repeating the "wmic" prefix. Non-interactive Mode
: Run a single command directly from the standard Command Prompt (e.g., wmic os get caption celitel.info Useful WMIC Commands for Common Tasks
WMIC uses "aliases" (friendly names for system classes) to make commands easier to remember. Microsoft Learn WMIC Command System Info wmic os get caption, version, osarchitecture BIOS Details wmic bios get serialnumber, manufacturer, smbiosbiosversion wmic cpu get name, numberofcores, maxclockspeed Disk Space wmic logicaldisk get deviceid, freespace, size List Installed Apps wmic product get name, version List Running Processes wmic process list brief Stop a Process wmic process where name="processname.exe" call terminate Get Serial Number wmic baseboard get serialnumber Filtering and Formatting Results To make your output more useful, you can use switches: Format as a List /format:list to the end of your command for a vertical, readable list. Export to HTML /output:C:\report.html [command] /format:hform to generate a professional-looking report. Specific Search clauses (e.g., wmic process where "name='chrome.exe'" get processid Microsoft Learn Troubleshooting "WMIC is not recognized" In Windows 11, WMIC is an Optional Feature and may be disabled by default. To enable it: Microsoft Community Hub
WMI command-line (WMIC) utility - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn
utility, there is no direct command or global switch. Instead, the functionality you're looking for—creating new instances of system objects like processes or environment variables—is handled by the verb or the call create method within specific aliases. How to Create New Instances
To "create something new" using WMIC, you must specify the alias (the type of object) and then use the CALL CREATE Create a New Process : Use this to launch an application. wmic process call create "notepad.exe" Create a New Environment Variable
wmic environment create name="MyVariable"; variablevalue="MyValue" Discover Creation Methods
: To see what parameters a specific object requires for creation, use the help switch after the alias. wmic process call /? Important Note on Deprecation Microsoft has deprecated WMIC
and it is being removed from future versions of Windows 11 (starting with version 24H2). It is highly recommended to use PowerShell for these tasks instead. PowerShell Alternative for Processes Start-Process "notepad.exe" PowerShell Alternative for WMI Get-CimInstance Invoke-CimMethod PowerShell equivalents for a specific WMIC command you're trying to replace? The Grammar of WMIC - SANS Internet Storm Center
The command wmic help new is not a valid standard WMIC command. In Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC)
keyword is typically used as a verb to create new instances of a class (e.g., wmic process call create is used to view available commands for a specific alias. Since the WMIC utility is deprecated
and disabled by default in recent versions of Windows 11 (such as 24H2), you may first need to install it as an Optional Feature if it is missing from your system. How to Install WMIC (Feature on Demand)
If you receive an error that "wmic is not recognized," follow these steps to enable it:
The command wmic help new is not a standard standalone command in Windows. Instead, it refers to using the CREATE verb within the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) utility to generate new instances of WMI objects.
While WMIC has been officially deprecated by Microsoft in favor of PowerShell, it remains a powerful legacy tool for system administrators to manage Windows environments. Understanding the "CREATE" Verb in WMIC
In WMIC terminology, "new" operations are handled by the CREATE verb. This verb allows you to create a new instance of a class and set its property values.
Syntax for Help: To see the specific parameters required to create a new instance of a particular alias, you would use:[alias] create /? Guide: Getting Help & Using WMIC (The "New"
Example: environment create /? shows you how to add a new environment variable. Practical Examples of Creating New Instances
The most common use cases for creating "new" items via WMIC involve system environment variables and process management.
Creating a New Environment Variable:wmic environment create name="MyVar", variablevalue="MyValue"This command adds a new system variable named MyVar with the value MyValue.
Creating a New Process:wmic process call create "notepad.exe"While this uses the CALL verb to invoke the Create method, it is the standard way to launch a new application instance via WMIC. Navigating WMIC Help
Because WMIC is an interactive shell as well as a command-line tool, help is tiered:
Global Help: Use wmic /? to see all global switches and available aliases.
Alias Help: Use wmic [alias] /? (e.g., wmic process /?) to see verbs like GET, LIST, CREATE, and DELETE supported by that alias.
Verb Help: Use wmic [alias] [verb] /? (e.g., wmic process call /?) to see specific methods or parameters for that action. The Shift to PowerShell (Modern Alternatives)
Microsoft has superseded WMIC with PowerShell, which offers more robust and secure ways to create WMI/CIM instances. If you are working on modern systems (Windows 11 22H2 and later), you should transition to the following cmdlets: To create a new WMI instance: Use New-CimInstance.
To start a new process: Use Start-Process or Invoke-CimMethod. Restoring WMIC on Modern Windows
If your legacy scripts require WMIC and it is missing from your system (common in Windows 11), you can reinstall it as a Feature on Demand: WMI command line (WMIC) utility deprecation: Next steps
WMIC Help New: A Comprehensive Guide to Creating and Managing Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Classes
Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is a powerful tool used to manage and monitor Windows-based systems. It provides a way to access and manipulate system data, as well as to execute commands on remote systems. One of the key features of WMI is the ability to create custom classes, which can be used to store and manage specific data. In this article, we will explore the wmic help new command and provide a comprehensive guide on how to create and manage WMI classes.
What is WMIC?
WMIC (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line) is a command-line tool used to interact with WMI. It provides a way to access and manipulate WMI data, as well as to execute WMI commands. WMIC is a powerful tool that can be used to manage and monitor Windows-based systems, both locally and remotely.
What is WMI?
WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) is a set of extensions to the Windows Driver Model that provides a uniform interface to access system data, event notifications, and configuration data. WMI is based on the WBEM (Web-Based Enterprise Management) standard, which is a set of standards for managing and monitoring systems.
Understanding WMI Classes
In WMI, a class is a template that defines a set of properties and methods that can be used to store and manage data. WMI classes can be used to store information about hardware, software, and system settings. There are two types of WMI classes:
Win32_Process, Win32_Service, and Win32_ComputerSystem.Creating a New WMI Class with WMIC Help New
The wmic help new command is used to create a new WMI class. The basic syntax of the command is as follows:
wmic help new [class_name] [properties]
class_name is the name of the new WMI class.properties are the properties that will be included in the new WMI class.Here is an example of how to create a new WMI class called MyClass with two properties, MyProperty1 and MyProperty2:
wmic help new MyClass MyProperty1=string,MyProperty2=integer
This command will create a new WMI class called MyClass with two properties, MyProperty1 and MyProperty2, of types string and integer, respectively.
Properties and Data Types
When creating a new WMI class, you can specify the properties and their data types. The following data types are supported:
string: a string valueinteger: an integer valueboolean: a boolean value (true or false)datetime: a date and time valueuint32: an unsigned 32-bit integer valueuint64: an unsigned 64-bit integer valueManaging WMI Classes
Once you have created a new WMI class, you can manage it using various WMIC commands. Here are some examples:
get command to retrieve data from a WMI class.put command to update data in a WMI class.create command to create a new instance of a WMI class.delete command to delete an instance of a WMI class.Here are some examples of how to manage a WMI class:
wmic MyClass get * // retrieve all data from MyClass
wmic MyClass put MyProperty1="new value" // update MyProperty1 in MyClass
wmic MyClass create MyProperty1="value1",MyProperty2=123 // create a new instance of MyClass
wmic MyClass delete // delete an instance of MyClass
Best Practices and Security Considerations
When working with WMI classes, here are some best practices and security considerations to keep in mind:
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored the wmic help new command and provided a comprehensive guide on how to create and manage WMI classes. We have also discussed best practices and security considerations when working with WMI classes. With this knowledge, you can create custom WMI classes to store and manage specific data, and use WMIC commands to manage and monitor Windows-based systems.
The Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) is a powerful, legacy administrative tool used to query and manage Windows systems through a command-line interface.
While it has been deprecated since 2016 in favour of PowerShell, it remains a critical "secret weapon" for many IT professionals due to its ability to perform complex system audits with single-line commands. 🛠️ The Core Logic: Aliases and Verbs
WMIC works by translating simple user-friendly aliases into complex WMI queries. You typically structure a command as: wmic .
Aliases: Shortcuts for system components (e.g., cpu, bios, process, service).
Verbs: Actions to perform on those components (e.g., list, get, call, set, delete). Useful Common Aliases Alias Description Example Command OS Operating system details wmic os get caption, version CPU Processor information wmic cpu get name, numberofcores BIOS BIOS and Serial Number wmic bios get serialnumber PRODUCT Installed software wmic product get name, version USERACCOUNT Local/Domain user info wmic useraccount list brief QFE Quick Fix Engineering (Updates) wmic qfe list brief 🔍 Mastering Output and Filtering
One of WMIC’s "deep features" is its robust output formatting, which allows it to generate reports for other applications directly.
Custom Selection: Use get followed by specific properties to avoid data clutter. Example: wmic process get name, parentprocessid Filtering: Use the where clause for SQL-like filtering. Last updated: 2026 The transition from the Windows
Example: wmic process where "name='chrome.exe'" get processid
Export Formats: You can export data directly into HTML, XML, or CSV. Example: wmic process get /format:htable > procs.html
Periodic Monitoring: Use /every: to repeat a command automatically. Example: wmic cpu get loadpercentage /every:5 🌐 Remote Management
WMIC can manage remote computers without installing any agent, provided you have admin credentials.
The wmic utility (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line) is a legacy tool for managing and querying system data. While its usage is straightforward, it is important to note that Microsoft is actively removing this tool from modern Windows versions. Understanding WMIC Help
The command line provides built-in help features to navigate its various components. You can access help at different levels:
Global Help: Use wmic /? to see a list of global switches (like /node or /user) and all available aliases.
Alias Help: Use wmic os /? or wmic process /?) to see the specific verbs and properties available for that category.
Verb Help: Use wmic process call /?) to see detailed instructions for a specific action like creating or terminating processes. Important: Deprecation and Removal
Microsoft has officially deprecated the wmic.exe utility in favor of PowerShell.
Windows 11 (Version 22H2 & 24H2): WMIC is no longer installed by default and is only available as a "Feature on Demand" (FoD).
Windows 11 (Version 25H2): The tool will be fully removed during the upgrade and will no longer be available even as an optional feature.
Replacement: It is highly recommended to migrate to PowerShell's Get-CimInstance or Get-WmiObject cmdlets, which offer more security and modern functionality. Common Commands for Reference
If you still have the utility installed, here are some commonly used informational commands:
WMIC Help New: A Comprehensive Guide
WMIC (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line) is a powerful tool used to interact with the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) framework. It allows administrators to access and manage various aspects of a Windows system, including hardware, software, and system settings. In this write-up, we will focus on the "wmic help new" command, which is used to create new instances of WMI classes.
What is WMIC?
WMIC is a command-line interface that provides access to the WMI framework. WMI is a set of extensions to the Windows Driver Model that provides a uniform interface to access system information, event notifications, and configuration data. WMIC allows administrators to interact with WMI using a command-line interface, making it easier to manage and automate system administration tasks.
What is the "wmic help new" Command?
The "wmic help new" command is used to create new instances of WMI classes. When you run this command, it displays a help message that provides information on how to create new instances of WMI classes.
Syntax:
The syntax for the "wmic help new" command is as follows:
wmic help new
Example Output:
When you run the "wmic help new" command, you will see the following output:
wmic:root\\cimv2> help new
Create a new instance of a class
Usage: wmic <class> create <property>=<value> [, <property>=<value> ...]
Examples:
wmic process create CommandLine="notepad.exe"
wmic useraccount create name="newuser" password="newpassword"
Note: To create a new instance, you must specify the class and the properties
to be set. The class must be a valid WMI class, and the properties
must be valid for that class.
How to Use the "wmic help new" Command:
To create a new instance of a WMI class, follow these steps:
wmic command with the list verb to get a list of available classes.wmic command with the get verb to get a list of properties for a specific class.wmic command with the create verb to create a new instance of the class. Specify the properties and values you want to set.Examples:
Here are some examples of using the "wmic help new" command:
wmic process create CommandLine="notepad.exe"
wmic useraccount create name="newuser" password="newpassword"
wmic service create name="NewService" displayname="New Service" pathName="C:\Path\To\Service.exe"
Tips and Tricks:
wmic command with the get verb to verify the properties and values of the new instance.wmic command with the list verb to get a list of available classes and properties.Conclusion:
The "wmic help new" command is a powerful tool for creating new instances of WMI classes. By following the syntax and examples provided in this write-up, you can use this command to automate system administration tasks and manage various aspects of a Windows system. Remember to use caution when creating new instances, as this can potentially affect system stability and security.
$cred = Get-Credential Get-CimInstance -ComputerName "Server01" -Credential $cred -ClassName Win32_OperatingSystem
The standard WMIC syntax follows this pattern:
wmic [alias] [verb] [where clause] [property list]
cpu, os, product).get, list, call).name, version, status).If you still need to use WMIC on older Windows versions:
| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| wmic /? | Basic help & syntax |
| wmic /? /full | Full detailed help |
| wmic /? /system | System-specific help |
| wmic alias /? | Help on an alias (e.g., wmic process /?) |
| wmic /output:help.txt /? /full | Export full help to a text file |
| Task | Command |
|------|---------|
| List all processes with limited info | wmic process list brief |
| Get specific process details | wmic process where "name='cmd.exe'" get processid,commandline |
| Show CPU info | wmic cpu get name,maxclockspeed,manufacturer |
| Show OS version & install date | wmic os get caption, installdate, lastbootuptime |
| List services (running/stopped) | wmic service where "state='running'" get name,displayname |
Once you switch to the new CIM/WMI method, you unlock capabilities WMIC users could only dream of.