WMI Tasks: Operating Systems
WMI tasks for operating systems obtain information about the operating system, such as version, whether it is activated, or which hotfixes are installed.
The script examples shown in this topic obtain data only from the local computer. For more information about how to use the script to obtain data from remote computers, see Connecting to WMI on a Remote Computer.
The following procedure describes how to run a script.
To run a script
- Copy the code and save it in a file with a .vbs extension, such as filename.vbs. Ensure that your text editor does not add a .txt extension to the file.
- Open a command prompt window and navigate to the directory where you saved the file.
- Type CScript filename.vbs at the command prompt.
- If you cannot access an event log, check to see if you are running from an Elevated command prompt. Some Event Log, such as the Security Event Log, may be protected by User Access Controls (UAC).
The following table lists script examples that can be used to obtain various types of data from the local computer.
| How do I... | WMI classes or methods |
|---|---|
| ...determine if a service pack has been installed on a computer? |
Use the Win32_OperatingSystem class and check the value of the ServicePackMajorVersion and ServicePackMinorVersion properties. strComputer = "." Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:" & "{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2") Set colOperatingSystems = objWMIService.ExecQuery ("Select * from Win32_OperatingSystem") For Each objOperatingSystem in colOperatingSystems Wscript.Echo objOperatingSystem.ServicePackMajorVersion & "." & objOperatingSystem.ServicePackMinorVersion Next |
| ...determine when the operating system was installed on a computer? |
Use the Win32_OperatingSystem class and the InstallDate property. strComputer = "." Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:" & "{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2") Set colOperatingSystems = objWMIService.ExecQuery ("Select * from Win32_OperatingSystem") For Each objOperatingSystem in colOperatingSystems Wscript.Echo "Install Date: " & objOperatingSystem.InstallDate Next |
| ...determine which version of the Windows operating system is installed on a computer? |
Use the Win32_OperatingSystem class, and retrieve both the Name and Version properties. strComputer = "." Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:" & "{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2") Set colOperatingSystems = objWMIService.ExecQuery ("Select * from Win32_OperatingSystem") For Each objOperatingSystem in colOperatingSystems Wscript.Echo objOperatingSystem.Caption & " " & objOperatingSystem.Version Next |
| ...determine which folder is the Windows folder (%Windir%) on a computer? |
Use the Win32_OperatingSystem class, and check the value of the WindowsDirectory property. strComputer = "." Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:" & "{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2") Set colOperatingSystems = objWMIService.ExecQuery ("Select * from Win32_OperatingSystem") For Each objOperatingSystem in colOperatingSystems Wscript.Echo "Windows Folder: " & objOperatingSystem.WindowsDirectory Next |
| ...determine what hotfixes have been installed on a computer? |
Use the Win32_QuickFixEngineering class. strComputer = "." Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:" & "{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2") Set colQuickFixes = objWMIService.ExecQuery ("Select * from Win32_QuickFixEngineering") For Each objQuickFix in colQuickFixes Wscript.Echo "Description: " & objQuickFix.Description Wscript.Echo "Hotfix ID: " & objQuickFix.HotFixID Next |
| ...determine if I need to activate the operating system on a computer? |
Use the Win32_WindowsProductActivation class and check the value of the ActivationRequired property. strComputer = "." Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:" & "{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2") Set colWPA = objWMIService.ExecQuery ("Select * from Win32_WindowsProductActivation") For Each objWPA in colWPA Wscript.Echo "Activation Required: " & objWPA.ActivationRequired Wscript.Echo "Remaining Evaluation Period: " & objWPA.RemainingEvaluationPeriod Wscript.Echo "Remaining Grace Period: " & objWPA.RemainingGracePeriod Next |
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