<# .SYNOPSIS Modern inventory script (Replaces wmic /output:report.txt) .DESCRIPTION Gathers system info using CIM instead of deprecated WMIC. #> Write-Host "Gathering System Inventory (New CIM Method)..." -ForegroundColor Cyan $Inventory = [PSCustomObject]@ ComputerName = $env:COMPUTERNAME OS = (Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem).Caption OSVersion = (Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem).Version LastBoot = (Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem).LastBootUpTime CPU = (Get-CimInstance Win32_Processor).Name Cores = (Get-CimInstance Win32_Processor).NumberOfCores RAM_GB = [math]::Round((Get-CimInstance Win32_ComputerSystem).TotalPhysicalMemory / 1GB, 2) Disk_C_Drive_GB = [math]::Round((Get-CimInstance Win32_LogicalDisk -Filter "DeviceID='C:'").Size / 1GB, 2) SerialNumber = (Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS).SerialNumber Output to screen $Inventory | Format-List Output to CSV (Better than WMIC /format) $Inventory | Export-Csv -Path "$env:COMPUTERNAME-Inventory.csv" -NoTypeInformation
# Get the OS object $os = Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_OperatingSystem -ComputerName "PC-123" # Invoke the shutdown method Invoke-CimMethod -InputObject $os -MethodName Win32Shutdown -Arguments @Flags=4 WMIC couldn't do this natively without ugly scripts. Register-CimIndicationEvent lets you watch for new processes or USB drives. wmic help new
wmic os get caption, version wmic cpu get name, maxclockspeed wmic logicaldisk where drivetype=3 get deviceid, freespace WMIC uses a bizarre hybrid of SQL-like syntax ( where drivetype=3 ) paired with command-line switches ( /format:csv ). It is brittle and slow. Part 3: The "New" Way – PowerShell & CIM If you truly want "WMIC help new" , you want PowerShell. The learning curve is shallow, but the power is exponential. The Replacement Command: Get-CimInstance Get-CimInstance (CIM) is the modern, WS-Management (WinRM) compatible replacement for the old Get-WmiObject . It is faster, works over networks securely, and returns native PowerShell objects (not text). wmic os get caption, version wmic cpu get
Write-Host "Report saved to $env:COMPUTERNAME-Inventory.csv" -ForegroundColor Green If you came here searching for "wmic help new" , you have likely realized the old command is fading. The learning curve is shallow, but the power is exponential
wmic /?
# Old (Fragile) # wmic /node:"Server01" os get caption $cred = Get-Credential Get-CimInstance -ComputerName "Server01" -Credential $cred -ClassName Win32_OperatingSystem B. Calling Methods (Actions) WMIC could technically call methods, but the syntax was horrific. PowerShell makes it natural.
Example: Shutdown a remote computer.