How to Enable WMI on Your Computer

Windows Management Instrumentation's (WMI's) core components are present by default only in Windows 2000. (All future OS versions will also include WMI.) If you have an earlier OS, you need to download the components from the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site at http://msdn.microsoft.com/downloads/sdks/wmi/download.asp. Follow the installation instructions provided.

For the Windows Management Service to start automatically on a Windows 98 or Win95 system, you must change the OS Registry. You can find complete instructions at http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/psdk/wmisdk/cimomcmd_65yr.htm. Or, you can go to the MSDN Online Library (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp) and navigate to Platform SDK, Management Services, Windows Management Instrumentation, WMI Reference, WMI Command-Line Syntax, Setting Registry Entries for Windows 95/98 Systems.