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h2. Why is WMIC missing?
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Windows Server 2025 no longer includes WMIC (Windows Management Instrumentation Command‑line) by default. The tool has been deprecated by Microsoft, but it is still available as a Feature on Demand (FoD) for compatibility with third‑party tools.WMIC has been officially deprecated since 2016 and is being phased out in favor of PowerShell CIM/WMI cmdlets. Starting with Windows Server 2025, the wmic.exe binary is not installed by default, which can result in a failure to install the R1Soft Windows Backup Agent.






h2. How to install the WMIC (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line) Feature on Demand


h2. {color:#000000}Option 1: Enable WMIC Using the Graphical Interface (GUI){color}

{color:#000000}This method is ideal for administrators who prefer the Windows Settings experience.{color}

h3. {color:#000000}Steps{color}

# {color:#000000}Open{color} {color:#000000}{*}Settings{*}{color}
# {color:#000000}Navigate to{color} {color:#000000}{*}System{*}{color}
# {color:#000000}Select{color} {color:#000000}{*}Optional features{*}{color}
# {color:#000000}Click{color} {color:#000000}{*}Add an optional feature{*}{color}
# {color:#000000}Search for{color} {color:#000000}{*}WMIC{*}{color}
# {color:#000000}Select{color} {color:#000000}{*}WMIC{*}{color} {color:#000000}and click{color} {color:#000000}{*}Install{*}{color}

{color:#000000}Windows will download and install the feature automatically. A reboot is typically not required.{color}

{color:#000000}{*}Verify Installation{*}{color}

{color:#000000}Open a {color}{color:#000000}{*}Command Prompt{*}{color} {color:#000000}and run:{color}

{code}
wmic /?
{code}
{color:#000000}If the help text appears, WMIC is successfully enabled.{color}

h2. {color:#000000}Option 2: Enable WMIC from the Command Line (DISM){color}

{color:#000000}This is the fastest and most automation‑friendly method. {color}{color:#000000}Run the following command from either {color}{color:#000000}{*}Command Prompt{*}{color}{color:#000000} or {color}{color:#000000}{*}PowerShell{*}{color} {color:#000000}(run as Administrator).{color}
{code}DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:WMIC~~~~{code}


{color:#000000}This command installs the WMIC Feature on Demand directly into the running OS image.{color}

{color:#000000}{*}Verify Installation{*}{color}

{color:#000000}Open a {color}{color:#000000}{*}Command Prompt{*}{color}{color:#000000} and run:{color}
{code}where wmic
wmic cpu get name{code}

{color:#000000}Successful output confirms the feature is active.{color}

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