The WMI Query Language
WMI Query Language, or WQL, is used to query WMI in a similar style to SQL.
WQL implements a subset of Structured Query Language (SQL). The keywords are traditionally written in uppercase; however, WQL is not case-sensitive.
Both the CIM and the older WMI cmdlets support the Filter and Query parameters, which accept WQL queries.
Understanding SELECT, WHERE, and FROM
The SELECT, WHERE, and FROM keywords are used with the Query parameter.
The generalized syntax for the Query parameter is as follows:
SELECT <Properties> FROM <WMI Class>
SELECT <Properties> FROM <WMI Class> WHERE <Condition>
You can use the wildcard * to request all available properties or a list of known properties:
Get-CimInstance -Query "SELECT * FROM Win32_Process"
Get-CimInstance -Query "SELECT ProcessID, CommandLine FROM Win32_Process"
The WHERE keyword is used to filter results returned by SELECT;...