msinfo32.exe System Information not working - error Can't Collect Information, claims WMI is problem but is running

Question

Running windows 7. WMI is running in services. msinfo32.exe does not work

in the System Information program, on the right side in grey box

says

Can't Collect Information

Cannot access the Windows Management Instrumentation software. Windows Management files may be moved or missing.

I have looked at other posts, tried hotfixes, looked at registry change info, and nothing seems to work

Answer 1

Why did you abandon your other post here:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/unable-to-access-msinfo32-error-message-cant/56060474-bdda-4094-92ec-52ab8211a713

You may just need to reset the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Repository.

Click the Start orb/button and in the box enter cmd and Open a command Prompt window as Administrator:

From the Command Prompt Window enter the following commands one at a time pressing Enter after each:

net  stop  winmgmt     (stop the WMI Service)

Respond in the affirmative to the warning message about stopping the:

Security Center

IP Helper

Then in the box enter these commands one at a time:

winmgmt   /resetrepository    (it will report the WMI repository has been reset)

net   start   winmgmt              (it may report the WMI Service is already started - that's okay)

exit        (closes the Command Prompt Window)

See how msinfo32 works now.

Note that it could take a while (several to many minutes) for the msinfo32 command to populate as the Windows Repository is resetting and MOFs are compiled:

If that is what you see, wait patiently for the information to populate.

Then be sure to restart your system so the other important Services get restarted and check msinfo32 again.

Answer 2

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

• What happens exactly when you type msinfo32? Do you get any error message?

I suggest you to place your computer in Clean Boot state as below and check whether the issue persists or not.

Clean Boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue.

Follow the article How to perform a clean boot in Windows in the below link and check if it helps:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135.

NOTE : Once you perform clean boot do refer to the section “How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting” to boot the computer in normal mode.

Hope this information is helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance. We will be glad to assist.