Windows WMIC command

Windows WMIC (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line) is a powerful tool for system administrators to manage various aspects of the Windows operating system. With WMIC, users can query for system information, configure system settings, start processes remotely, and much more. This command-line utility leverages the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) infrastructure to provide a wide range of functionalities. WMIC can be used to gather system information, manage user accounts, interface with the registry, and execute various tasks on local or remote systems. This versatile tool can help streamline system administration tasks and troubleshooting processes, making it an essential component of the Windows management toolkit.

WMIC Syntax:

wmic [alias] [options] [parameters]

Options:

Option	Description
/NAMESPACE	Specifies the namespace for the alias.
/NODE	Specifies the target node(s).
/USER	Specifies the user context.
/PASSWORD	Specifies the password.
/LOCALE	Specifies the locale.
/ROLE	Specifies the role.
/PRIVILEGES	Specifies the privileges.
/TRACE	Outputs detailed tracing information.
/INTERACTIVE	Enables interactive mode.
/FAILFAST	Stops processing on first error.
/RECORD	Writes the output to a file.

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
ALIAS	Specifies the alias.
GET	Retrieves specific properties.
LIST	Retrieves all instances of the alias.
WHERE	Filters the results.
CALL	Invokes a method.
CREATE	Creates an instance.
DELETE	Deletes an instance.
SET	Updates an instance.
ASSOC	Indirect association to a class.
CLASS	Specifies the instance (alias) to retrieve.
PATH	Specifies the path of the instance.
FORMAT	Formats the output.
OUTPUT	Redirects output to a file.
CONSOLE	Redirects output to the screen.
VALUEOF	Retrieves the value of a property.
TRANSLATE	Translates managed object format (MOF).
STATUS	Retrieves the status of an instance.
GROUP	Specifies a group of objects.
NAMESPACE	Specifies the namespace.
ROLE	Specifies the role.
PRIVILEGES	Specifies the privileges.
LOCALE	Specifies the locale.
TRACE	Outputs detailed tracing information.
INTERACTIVE	Enables interactive mode.
FAILFAST	Stops processing on first error.
RECORD	Writes the output to a file.
/	Separator for aliases with namespaces.

Caution

Exercise caution when using the wmic command as it can access and manipulate critical system settings. Make sure to double-check the command before executing to avoid unintended consequences.

WMIC Usage:

Check System Information

wmic csproduct get name, vendor, version

Retrieves information about the system, such as the product name, manufacturer, and version.

List Running Processes

wmic process list brief

Displays a list of running processes on the system, including their process ID and description.

Retrieve Network Adapter Information

wmic nic get name, speed, macaddress

Displays details of network adapters installed on the system, like the adapter name, speed, and MAC address.

Monitor CPU Temperature

wmic /namespace:\\root\wmi PATH MSAcpi_ThermalZoneTemperature get CurrentTemperature

Monitors the current CPU temperature using Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC).

Tip

When using the WMIC command, ensure that you have administrative privileges to prevent any access or permission issues.

Common Questions on WMIC Usage:

How can I list all installed software on Windows using WMIC?

To list all installed software on Windows using WMIC, run the following command:

wmic product get name, version

How can I find the computer model using WMIC in Windows?

To find the computer model using WMIC in Windows, use the following command:

wmic csproduct get name

How do I retrieve system information using WMIC in Windows?

To retrieve system information using WMIC in Windows, execute the following command:

wmic os get caption, version

How can I view the list of processes running on Windows with WMIC?

To view the list of processes running on Windows using WMIC, enter the command below:

wmic process list brief

How do I get the list of currently logged-in users using WMIC in Windows?

To get the list of currently logged-in users using WMIC in Windows, use the command:

wmic ComputerSystem Get UserName

How to check the system’s total physical memory with WMIC in Windows?

To check the system’s total physical memory using WMIC in Windows, run the following command:

wmic memorychip get capacity

How can I display network adapter information using WMIC on Windows?

To display network adapter information using WMIC on Windows, use the following command:

wmic nic get name, index

Applications of the WMIC Command

• Hardware inventory
• System information retrieval
• Software management
• Process management
• Service management
• User account management
• Network configuration
• Security settings
• WMI repository management
• Event log access