Open an elevated Command Prompt and run msinfo32 /computer TARGETNAME, replacing TARGETNAME with the remote computer’s name, UNC name, IP address, or fully qualified domain name (FQDN). The account running the command must have permission to query the remote computer’s WMI data.
Run MSInfo32 against a remote PC
- Confirm that the target Windows computer is reachable and that your account is permitted to access its WMI data.
- Open Start, type Command Prompt, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
- Run
msinfo32 /computer TARGETNAME. For example:msinfo32 /computer BIGSERVER. - Wait for the System Information window to populate with the remote computer’s details.
Microsoft defines the /computer switch as starting System Information for the specified remote computer. Appropriate permissions are required to access that computer.
Computer names and address formats you can use
Replace TARGETNAME with any supported identifier:
- Windows computer name:
msinfo32 /computer BIGSERVER - UNC name:
msinfo32 /computer \BIGSERVER - IP address:
msinfo32 /computer 192.168.1.25 - Fully qualified domain name:
msinfo32 /computer bigserver.example.com
The address must resolve to and be reachable as the intended Windows computer. An IP address is valid syntax, but network routing, firewall policy, name resolution, and WMI configuration still determine whether the query succeeds.
Save the remote inventory to a file
Add an export switch when you need a record rather than an interactive window.
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| Purpose | Command pattern | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Open the full remote inventory | msinfo32 /computer TARGETNAME |
Displays the information in the System Information window. |
| Save an NFO file | msinfo32 /computer TARGETNAME /nfo C:Pathreport.nfo |
Saves System Information in NFO format. If the supplied path has no extension, MSInfo32 appends .nfo. |
| Save a text report | msinfo32 /computer TARGETNAME /report C:Pathreport.txt |
Saves a text report. The path is used exactly as supplied; .txt is not added automatically. |
Use a location where the elevated account can create the file. A local path such as C:Reportsreport.nfo writes on the computer where you run MSInfo32, not on the remote target.
Limit the output to selected categories
For a smaller report, first display available category identifiers:
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msinfo32 /showcategories
Then request one category with /category, or several with /categories. The documented syntax is:
msinfo32 [/pch] [/nfo <path>] [/report <path>] [/computer <computername>] [/showcategories] [/category <categoryID>] [/categories {+<categoryID>(+<categoryID>)|+all(-<categoryID>)}
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For example, combine a remote target, a text export, and a selected category after identifying the appropriate ID:
msinfo32 /computer TARGETNAME /report C:Reportstarget.txt /category CATEGORYID
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The /categories form lets you include multiple IDs or include all categories while excluding specific IDs.
Why remote MSInfo32 access fails
Permission or WMI access is missing
The most common cause is that the account lacks the appropriate permissions to query WMI on the target. Verify the account, local or domain policy, and the target’s WMI permissions with your administrator. Being able to reach the computer does not by itself grant WMI access.
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The target cannot be resolved or reached
Check the computer name, FQDN, or IP address, then verify network reachability. If a name fails, test the correct DNS or directory name; if an IP fails, check routing and whether the address belongs to the intended Windows host.
Firewall or WMI policy blocks the query
Remote MSInfo32 depends on the environment’s network and WMI policy. Review firewall rules, Windows Defender Firewall configuration, and any domain or organizational policy that restricts remote WMI. Microsoft’s reference establishes the permission prerequisite but does not define one universal firewall rule set for every network.
Information is incomplete when Command Prompt is not elevated
Run Command Prompt as administrator when driver status or a complete inventory matters. Microsoft Support notes that without Administrator privileges, some drivers can appear stopped because the information cache cannot be updated.
You are using Safe Mode
MSInfo32 can launch in Safe Mode, but Microsoft Support says it cannot provide hardware information there. Safe Mode output is limited to system components and the software environment, so collect the report in a normal Windows session when hardware details are required.
Quick Recap
Choose the command that fits the job
| Need | Recommended approach |
|---|---|
| Inspect a remote PC interactively | Use /computer TARGETNAME without an export switch. |
| Archive or attach the complete inventory | Use /nfo for an NFO file or /report for plain text. |
| Reduce report size | Use /showcategories, then /category or /categories. |
| Target a host whose name is inconvenient or unavailable | Use its IP address or FQDN, provided WMI and network policy allow the connection. |
| Operate with a restricted account | Obtain the required WMI permissions or use an authorized administrative account; do not assume local connectivity is sufficient. |
Quick checklist
- Use the exact form
msinfo32 /computer TARGETNAME. - Try a computer name, UNC name, IP address, or FQDN as appropriate.
- Run the command from an elevated Command Prompt for complete driver information.
- Confirm WMI permissions on the target account and computer.
- Check name resolution, routing, firewall, and WMI policy if the window does not populate.
- Use
/nfoor/reportto save results, and category switches to narrow them. - Avoid Safe Mode when hardware information is required.
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