WMIC Removed from Windows 11? Use These PowerShell Commands Instead
WMIC not recognized or missing in Windows 11? Microsoft is retiring the old WMIC command-line utility, so many traditional WMIC commands should now be replaced with modern PowerShell CIM commands.
This guide compares five common WMIC commands with their PowerShell Get-CimInstance replacements.
Published: August 19, 2026
Video Tutorial
Video length: approximately 3 minutes 49 seconds.
WMIC Is Not the Same as WMI
The deprecated component is the old WMIC command-line utility.
Windows Management Instrumentation itself has not simply disappeared. Modern Windows administration can use PowerShell and CIM cmdlets such as Get-CimInstance.
If an older script depends on WMIC, begin migrating the command to PowerShell rather than depending on WMIC remaining available.
1. BIOS Serial Number
Old WMIC Command
PowerShell Replacement
This reads the system serial number exposed through the BIOS information available to Windows.
2. PC Manufacturer & Model
Old WMIC Command
PowerShell Replacement
Use this when you need the computer manufacturer and model for inventory, support or troubleshooting.
3. CPU Information
Old WMIC Command
PowerShell Replacement
This displays the processor model reported to Windows.
4. RAM Capacity
Old WMIC Command
PowerShell Replacement
The result is normally returned in bytes for each physical memory module.
For a more readable GB view, you can use:
5. Disk Model & Size
Old WMIC Command
PowerShell Replacement
This displays the disk model and raw size reported through Windows management information.
For a readable size in GB:
WMIC to PowerShell Replacement Table
| Task | Old WMIC | PowerShell Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| BIOS Serial Number | wmic bios get serialnumber |
Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber |
| Manufacturer & Model | wmic computersystem get manufacturer,model |
Get-CimInstance Win32_ComputerSystem | Select-Object Manufacturer,Model |
| CPU Name | wmic cpu get name |
Get-CimInstance Win32_Processor | Select-Object Name |
| RAM Capacity | wmic memorychip get capacity |
Get-CimInstance Win32_PhysicalMemory | Select-Object Capacity |
| Disk Model & Size | wmic diskdrive get model,size |
Get-CimInstance Win32_DiskDrive | Select-Object Model,Size |
Why Use Get-CimInstance?
Get-CimInstance returns PowerShell objects rather than plain command-line text.
That makes the results easier to filter, sort, format, export and use in scripts.
For example:
Migrating Old WMIC Scripts
If you have old batch files or documentation containing WMIC, do not simply wait for them to fail on newer Windows systems.
Identify what each WMIC command is querying, find the equivalent CIM class, and replace the old WMIC call with an appropriate PowerShell command.
A common migration pattern is:
WMIC & PowerShell Topics
- WMIC removed Windows 11
- WMIC not recognized
- WMIC missing Windows 11
- WMIC PowerShell replacement
- WMIC alternative
- Get-CimInstance Windows 11
- PowerShell WMIC replacement
- Windows 11 PowerShell commands
- WMIC serial number replacement
- WMIC computer model replacement
- WMIC CPU replacement
- WMIC memorychip replacement
- WMIC diskdrive replacement
- Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS
- Get-CimInstance Win32_ComputerSystem
- Get-CimInstance Win32_Processor
- Get-CimInstance Win32_PhysicalMemory
- Get-CimInstance Win32_DiskDrive
- PowerShell hardware information
- Windows administration commands
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Windows say WMIC is not recognized?
The WMIC command-line utility has been deprecated and may no longer be installed or enabled on newer Windows systems.
What replaces WMIC in Windows 11?
PowerShell CIM commands such as Get-CimInstance provide modern alternatives for many common WMIC queries.
Was Windows Management Instrumentation removed?
No. WMIC.exe and Windows Management Instrumentation are not the same thing. The WMIC command-line utility is the deprecated component.
How can I find the serial number without WMIC?
Does Get-CimInstance require Administrator?
Many local hardware-information queries can run without elevation, although access requirements vary depending on the class, machine and environment.