Get WMI class information, instances of classes or available classes. Alias: gwmi
Syntax
Get-WmiObject [-namespace string]
[-computerName string[]]
[-credential PSCredential] [-list] [CommonParameters]
Get-WmiObject [-class] string [[-property] string[]] [-namespace string]
[-computerName string[]] [-filter string]
[-credential PSCredential] [CommonParameters]
Get-WmiObject -query string [-namespace string]
[-computerName string[]]
[-credential PSCredential] [CommonParameters]
Key
-class string
The name of a WMI class (see list below).
-property string
A WMI class property (or set of properties) to retrieve.
-namespace string
The WMI repository namespace.
If you don't specify the -Namespace parameter, then root\CIMV2
will be used by default.
-list
List the names of the WMI classes.
-computerName string[]
The computer(s) to run against.
A NETBIOS name, an IP address, full domain name or local (.)
WMI information is retrieved via the WMI Service (CIMOM)
on the specified computers.
-filter string
A where clause to use as a filter. Use the syntax of the WQL language.
Do not include the WHERE keyword.
-query string
A WMI Query Language (WQL) statement to run.
Event queries are not supported.
-credential PSCredential
Use the specified credential to authenticate the user. Type a user name
or submit a credential object (created with Get-Credential)
If you supply a user name, you will be prompted for a password.
CommonParameters:
-Verbose, -Debug, -ErrorAction, -ErrorVariable, -OutVariable.
gwmi is an alias for Get-WmiObject
For WMI to work against a remote machine you may need to first configure it's local Windows firewall to allow the remote access.
When using -filter with a wildcard, use the WMI specific wildcards: % for zero or more characters, _ for a single character.
WMI Classes
The WMI classes available will vary according to your operating system.
List all WMI classes:
PS C:\> Get-WmiObject -List
Find a specific class:
PS C:\> Get-WmiObject -List | Where { $_.name -match 'User'}
Some common WMI classes:
Win32_computerSystem
Win32_bios
Win32_baseboard (Motherboard)
Win32_processor (32+64 bit processor info)
Win32_LogicalDisk (hard disk)
Win32_PhysicalMemory
Win32_operatingSystem (Virtual Memory)
List all properties of a class:
PS C:\> Get-WmiObject Win32_bios | Get-Member
Find a specific class property:
PS C:\> gwmi Win32_bios | Get-Member -MemberType property | Where { $_.name -match 'install'}
Examples
Display information about all processes:
PS C:\> gwmi win32_process
Display service names that starts with 'Oracle':
PS C:\> gwmi win32_service -filter "name like 'Oracle%'" | select name
Display services running on the machine 'Server64':
PS C:\> gwmi win32_service -computername Server64
passing username credentials:
PS C:\> gwmi win32_service -credential SS64\Simon -computer Server64
List services that are set to start automatically:
PS C:\> gwmi win32_service -filter "startmode='auto'" | select name,startmode
List services that are set to start automatically (same as above but written in WQL):
PS C:\> gwmi -query "select * from win32_service where startmode='auto'" | select name,startmode
Display information about the Alerter service:
PS C:\> gwmi -query "select * from win32_service where name='alerter'"
Stop the Alerter service:
PS C:\> (gwmi win32_service -filter "name='alerter'").StopService()
Display svchost processes:
PS C:\> gwmi win32_process -filter "name='svchost.exe'" | select commandline, name
Display BIOS and Memory information:
PS C:\> gwmi win32_bios | format-list *
PS C:\> gwmi Win32_ComputerSystem
PS C:\> gwmi Win32_PhysicalMemory
"A good question is like a miniskirt. Long enough to cover the essentials, but short enough to keep everyone interested" - Charles Halsey
Related Powershell Commands:
Get-WmiObject Win32_OperatingSystem - Get the OS and service pack
Get-Credential - Get a security credential object based on a user name and password.
WQL (WMI Query Language) - msdn.microsoft.com
