WMI

Winsage
August 20, 2026
In early August, there were no new Windows 11 builds released for over 15 days in the Windows Insider Program. On August 17, Microsoft released five new preview builds, introducing several features and enhancements. Key updates include a fully customizable context menu, allowing users to tailor options directly from Settings under Personalization, and improvements to the desktop background experience with higher resolution previews and better slideshow transitions. The Camera Roll backup feature now automatically backs up photos and videos to OneDrive. The Magnifier tool received a visual refresh, and the Windows Recovery Environment was upgraded to reuse eligible Wi-Fi profiles automatically. Microsoft also removed the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool and the Drag Tray feature while maintaining access to WMI through PowerShell. File Explorer improvements include a faster launch for the "Home" page and touch scrolling support in the "Recommended" section. Minor visual adjustments were made to the Windows Security app, enhancing its alignment with the Windows 11 design language.
Winsage
August 19, 2026
Microsoft has removed the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool from Windows 11 builds 24H2 and 25H2, as well as beta releases, as part of a deprecation process that began several years ago. WMIC was first deprecated in Windows Server 2012 and Windows 10 and was later made a Feature on Demand in Windows 11 22H2 before its complete removal. The tool had been exploited by malware, including ransomware, for harmful actions such as deleting Shadow Volume Copies and querying security software. Microsoft recommends IT administrators use alternatives like PowerShell, WMI's COM API, or .NET libraries for management tasks.
Winsage
August 18, 2026
Microsoft is phasing out the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool, which will be entirely absent from existing Windows PCs following the latest preview update. WMIC, a command-line utility for extracting system information and performing administrative tasks, is being removed, although the underlying Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) framework will remain supported. Users relying on older management and automation scripts that utilize WMIC may face challenges, as commands associated with WMIC will no longer function after the update.
Winsage
August 17, 2026
Microsoft is removing the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) from Windows 11 to enhance security by eliminating a tool that has been exploited by malware and ransomware. WMIC will not be included in Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2, with complete removal scheduled for the August 2026 Patch Tuesday update. The decision to remove WMIC is based on the availability of more secure alternatives like PowerShell. WMIC has been a vector for attacks, allowing threat actors to disable antivirus solutions and access sensitive data. Microsoft has phased out WMIC since 2021, encouraging users to transition to modern tools while continuing to support the underlying Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) infrastructure.
Winsage
August 17, 2026
Windows 11 has introduced a movable taskbar in the Release Preview Channel, allowing users to position it at the top, left, or right of the screen, in addition to the bottom. This feature returns after being removed from Windows 11 and follows testing in the Windows Insider Program. The Release Preview also includes a compact taskbar option with smaller icons and reduced height, customization options for the Start menu (small and large layouts), and updates to Windows Search that enhance reliability by filtering out Microsoft Store and web suggestions. Additionally, Administrator protection is now available for elevated tasks using just-in-time privileges, which can be activated through Intune or Group Policy. Microsoft has officially retired the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC), which has been deprecated and absent in new installations of Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Users are advised to use PowerShell as the preferred alternative.
Winsage
August 16, 2026
WMIC, a utility for IT administrators introduced in Windows XP in 2001, will be removed from Windows 11 after August 2026. It has been deprecated since 2016 and was previously removed from Windows 10 in 2021. Although it remained available as a Feature on Demand, it was disabled by default in new installations. Recent Preview builds for Windows 11 confirmed that WMIC will not be included in version 26H2. PowerShell is suggested as a prominent replacement for WMIC tasks.
Winsage
June 16, 2026
Windows 11 update KB5094126 (Build 26200.8655), released on June 9, 2026, has caused boot failures, blue screens, and BitLocker recovery prompts for users, particularly affecting business devices from HP and Dell, including models like HP EliteBook 840 G10 and Dell Precision 7530. The issues stem from changes in Secure Boot and EFI partition modifications, with insufficient EFI partition space leading to errors. A workaround involves disabling Secure Boot in BIOS. Additionally, users have reported disruptions with OneDrive and Microsoft Word integration, particularly in enterprise environments. Microsoft has not yet acknowledged these problems.
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