WMIC Is Removed from Windows 11: What It Means and How to Adapt
Microsoft Drops WMIC from Windows 11 25H2
Windows 11 version 25H2 will no longer include the legacy WMIC command-line tool. WMIC let admins run WMI queries and manage processes with simple text commands, but it’s been phased out in favor of more secure and powerful PowerShell cmdlets.
Why WMIC Is Going Away
- Security risks: Attackers often misuse WMIC for malicious tasks like deleting recovery data or disabling defenses.
- Modern alternative: PowerShell’s Get-CimInstance and related cmdlets cover all WMIC functions and more.
- Cleaner platform: Removing outdated tools reduces complexity and potential attack surface.
When It Happens
- New installs of Windows 11 25H2 won’t include WMIC.
- Upgrades to version 25H2 will remove WMIC as part of the process.
- Users on earlier builds can still add WMIC as an optional feature, but it’s a temporary stopgap.
Moving to PowerShell
Switching scripts from WMIC to PowerShell is straightforward:
- To list processes:
PowerShell:Get-CimInstance Win32_Process | Select-Object Name - To get system memory:
PowerShell:Get-CimInstance Win32_ComputerSystem | Select-Object TotalPhysicalMemory
For scripts that must run in CMD, call PowerShell directly:
textpowershell -c "Get-CimInstance Win32_Process | Select-Object Name"
What IT Teams Should Do
- Find scripts and tools that rely on WMIC.
- Rewrite them using PowerShell cmdlets.
- Test the new scripts to ensure they work correctly.
- Update internal docs to reflect the change.
Temporary Workaround
If you still need WMIC on Windows 11 24H2, install it as an optional feature:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Optional Features.
- Add the WMIC feature.
Or run:
textDISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:WMIC~~~~
But remember, this won’t be possible once you move to 25H2.
By removing WMIC, Microsoft is pushing everyone toward modern, safer administration with PowerShell. This is the right time to update your scripts and ditch the old command-line tool.
