Using the WMI Tools

Q. I'm trying to write a Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) query that contains a NOT statement. Why isn't it working?

A. Microsoft offers the WMI Tools, which is available at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=6430F853-1120-48DB-8CC5-F2ABDC3ED314&displaylang=en. Here's a list of the toolset components and their functions:·WMI CIM Studio: View and edit classes, properties, qualifiers, and instances in a CIM repository; run selected methods; generate and compile MOF files. ·WMI Object Browser: View objects, edit property values and qualifiers, and run methods. ·WMI Event Registration Tool: Configure permanent event consumers; create or view instances of event consumers, filters, bindings, and timer system classes. ·WMI Event Viewer: displays events for all instances of registered consumers.

The WMI Object Browser is hosted in Internet Explorer (IE), and when IE is launched you will need to allow the page to run ActiveX/scripts and click Yes to the confirmation, as the Figure shows.

You'll be prompted to select a namespace, which by default is rootCIMV2. Click OK. You'll also be prompted to enter credentials, however you don't have to--the logged on credentials can be used. You can navigate round the WMI namespace selected and the values of the local computer will be displayed.

— John Savill