Microsoft is officially ending the life of Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC), a command-line utility that has been part of the operating system since Windows XP. The removal is confirmed in the latest Windows 11 preview update, KB5120998, which is currently being rolled out to Release Preview Builds 26100.9267 and 26200.9267. This change will affect both Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 once the update reaches a wider audience.
While Microsoft classified WMIC as deprecated back in 2024, this new patch takes the final step by removing the wmic.exe executable entirely. The underlying Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) framework remains fully supported, but the command-line interface you once used to query it is gone.
What Exactly Is Being Phased Out?
WMIC served as a bridge between users and the WMI infrastructure, allowing administrators and power users to retrieve system information and automate tasks. You could use it to pull hardware data, check BIOS details, or manage processes directly from the command prompt. For decades, it was a go-to tool for IT professionals and scripters alike.
However, Microsoft has long pushed PowerShell as the modern replacement. PowerShell offers more robust cmdlets for WMI and CIM (Common Information Model) queries, providing greater flexibility and security. Since 2024, new Windows 11 installations have already excluded WMIC, but this update ensures that even existing systems will no longer have it available.
Who Will Be Affected?
The removal will likely go unnoticed by most home users, but it poses a significant risk to anyone relying on legacy automation. If your scripts use WMIC, they will break after installing KB5120998.
Common affected items include:
- Batch files containing
wmiccommands - PowerShell scripts that launch WMIC as an external utility
- Login and startup scripts used in enterprise environments
- Scheduled tasks configured to run WMIC-based routines
- Inventory and monitoring scripts that pull system data
- Older installation and deployment packages that depend on WMIC
For example, a common WMIC command like wmic process get name, pid to list running processes will no longer work. Instead, you would need to use the PowerShell equivalent: Get-Process. Similarly, querying BIOS information via wmic bios get serialnumber should be replaced with Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber or the newer Get-CimInstance cmdlet.
What This Means for You
If you are an IT administrator or a power user who relies on WMIC, now is the time to audit your scripts. Review any batch files, PowerShell scripts, and scheduled tasks that reference wmic.exe. Replace these with PowerShell cmdlets that interact with WMI or CIM objects directly.
Microsoft recommends using PowerShell for all future automation needs. Not only is it more powerful, but it also provides better error handling, security features, and compatibility with modern Windows management tools like WinRM and DSC (Desired State Configuration).
For most home users, this change will have no immediate impact. You likely never used WMIC directly, and your applications do not depend on it. However, if you notice any scripts failing after the update, check if they were using WMIC and update them accordingly.
Other Changes in KB5120998
The removal of WMIC is just one of several notable changes in this preview update. Microsoft is also trialing the return of a freely positionable taskbar, allowing users to place it at the top, bottom, left, or right edge of the screen. This feature was previously restricted to the bottom of the display.
Additionally, the Start menu is gaining new resizing options, giving users more control over its size. Windows Search is being revamped for improved performance, and Microsoft is integrating new security features such as “Administrator Protection” to safeguard critical system accounts.
How to Get It
To receive this update, you need to join the Windows Insider Program and opt into the Release Preview channel. You can do this by navigating to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program and selecting the Release Preview channel. Once selected, check for updates, and KB5120998 should appear as an available download.
Keep in mind that preview builds are intended for testing and may contain bugs. If you rely on your PC for critical tasks, consider waiting for the stable release before upgrading.
As Microsoft continues to modernize Windows 11, the removal of WMIC marks another step toward a PowerShell-centric management ecosystem. While this may disrupt some legacy workflows, it ultimately aligns Windows with contemporary automation standards.
For those still using WMIC, the transition to PowerShell might seem daunting at first, but the long-term benefits in terms of functionality and security are well worth the effort. Start by identifying your most critical WMIC-based scripts and work through migrating them one by one.
What legacy Windows tools do you think should be retired next? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: PCWorld
Build details:
- KB512098
Over to you: What legacy Windows tools do you think should be retired next?
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