Goodbye, WMIC: Microsoft Confirms Its Removal in Windows 11
For years, the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) has been a trusted tool for system administrators and power users, providing a simple way to query system information and manage Windows components directly from the command prompt. However, the era of WMIC is officially coming to an end.
Microsoft has confirmed that WMIC will be removed by default in upcoming versions of Windows 11, starting with the anticipated 24H2 release. This move marks the final step in a long deprecation process, pushing administrators toward a more modern and secure alternative: PowerShell.
If you rely on wmic.exe for scripting or system management, now is the time to understand the change and prepare for the transition.
Why is WMIC Being Removed?
The decision to phase out WMIC is driven by two primary factors: modernization and security.
It’s a Legacy Tool: WMIC has been effectively superseded by PowerShell for over a decade. PowerShell offers a far more robust, consistent, and powerful scripting environment for managing Windows. Microsoft is consolidating its management tools, encouraging users to adopt the more capable PowerShell framework for all automation and administration tasks.
Significant Security Concerns: Legacy tools are often targets for cyberattacks. WMIC has been frequently abused by attackers in “living-off-the-land” (LotL) attacks. In these scenarios, malicious actors use legitimate, pre-installed system tools like WMIC to conduct reconnaissance, move laterally across a network, and execute code without needing to install their own malware. By removing WMIC, Microsoft is reducing the default attack surface of Windows, making it more secure out of the box.
The Official Successor: Embracing PowerShell
The designated replacement for all WMIC functionality is PowerShell. Specifically, administrators should use PowerShell cmdlets that interact with the Common Information Model (CIM) and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI).
While the syntax is different, the power and flexibility gained are substantial. For example, a common task like retrieving a computer’s serial number changes from a simple WMIC command to a PowerShell cmdlet.
- Old WMIC Command:
wmic bios get serialnumber - New PowerShell Command:
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber
While the PowerShell version may seem more verbose, it is also vastly more flexible. It returns structured objects, not just plain text, allowing you to easily manipulate, filter, and export the data or pipe it to other commands for complex automation sequences. PowerShell is the modern standard for Windows administration for a reason.
Actionable Steps for Admins and Power Users
The removal of WMIC will not happen overnight for existing systems, but it will be gone from new installations of Windows 11 24H2 and beyond. It’s crucial to be proactive.
Here are the key steps you should take now:
- Audit Your Scripts: The first and most important step is to identify all automated tasks, batch files, and management scripts that currently call
wmic.exe. Search your entire script library for any instances of the command. - Begin the Migration Process: Start rewriting your identified scripts using PowerShell equivalents. There is a PowerShell cmdlet for virtually every task that WMIC performed. Invest time in learning the
Get-CimInstanceand other related cmdlets, as they are central to modern Windows management. - Test and Validate: Before deploying your updated scripts, thoroughly test them in a controlled environment to ensure they produce the expected results and do not cause unintended issues.
- Use the Temporary Fallback (If Necessary): For a limited time, WMIC will remain available as an optional “Feature on Demand.” You can install it if you have a critical legacy application that cannot be updated immediately. However, treat this as a temporary bridge, not a long-term solution. The goal should always be to eliminate the dependency on this deprecated tool.
By phasing out WMIC, Microsoft is pushing the Windows ecosystem toward a more secure and efficient future. While this change may require some short-term effort to update old scripts, the long-term benefits of embracing PowerShell—from enhanced security to superior automation capabilities—are undeniable. Start planning your migration today to ensure a smooth and secure transition.
Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-wmic-will-be-removed-after-windows-11-25h2-upgrade/
