The following table lists the new Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) security feature that is available in Windows 7.
Controlling provider security
Changes to enhance the security of the WMI shared provider host process (wmiprvse.exe). These changes introduce three new group policies and two running modes for the WMI shared host, which are called secure and compatible modes. For more information, see Registry Keys for Controlling Provider Security.
The following table lists new WMI features that are available in Windows 7.
CIM schema compatibility
Starting in Windows 7, WMI is compatible with the Common Information Model (CIM) Schema version 2.17.1. For more information, see CIM Schema Compatibility.
Cross-namespace association traversal
WMI implemented a standard mechanism for discovering profiles by using the CIM schema. For more information, see Cross Namespace Association Traversal.
Association providers
Information about writing and registering an association provider. Association providers are used to expose standard profiles, like a power profile. For more information, see Writing an Association Provider for Interop.
Optional feature status
WMI implemented the Win32_OptionalFeature class. This class queries and returns the status of the optional features that are present on a computer. For example queries using Windows PowerShell, see Querying the Status of Optional Features.
Changing the default behavior for the AutoRestore repository feature
WMI has a new registry key to enable or disable the AutoRestore repository feature. For more information, see Registry Key for Repository Configuration.
New Windows PowerShell command classes
Windows PowerShell cmdlets enable users to complete the end-to-end tasks necessary to manage local and remote computers. For more information, see Managed Reference for WMI PowerShell Command Classes.
New mechanism to connect to remote computers
Windows PowerShell provides a simple mechanism to connect to WMI on a remote computer. For more information, see Connecting to WMI on a Remote Computer by using PowerShell.
Changes to the software licensing classes
The software licensing classes have new methods and properties to provide more software licensing data. In addition, the SoftwareLicensingTokenActivationLicense class was added.
New power metering and budgeting classes
Power metering and budgeting classes are the primary interface for the query of Power Meter Interface (PMI) information from underlying power meters on the system.
New power policy classes
Power policy classes enable the remote management of all power policy infrastructures.
Changes to the Win32_ServerFeature class
The ID property of the Win32_ServerFeature was updated.