Question

I’ve got an html application (HTA) that uses WshShell.Exec to get the version of Windows. I’m using wmic os get Caption to get the specific version, which works fine on the command line and in a batch script. I’ve also tested the way I’m calling WshShell.Exec and it works fine with other commands (i.e. echo Windows 2008). The problem occurs when I try to combine these things the Exec seems to just freeze. Can you recommend a way around this? Here’s my code:

Function GetWinVersion
    'Returns 2008, XP, or 7
    set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
    set oExec = WshShell.Exec("wmic os get Caption")
    do while oExec.Status = 0
        'I added this very busy wait, though it doesn't seem to help
        'Would sleep if it was available in an hta
    loop
    While oExec.StdOut.AtEndOfStream <> True
        thisLine = oExec.StdOut.ReadLine
        'MsgBox "Found line: " & thisLine
        if InStr(thisLine, "2008") > 0 then
            GetWinVersion=2008
            Exit Function
        elseif InStr(thisLine, "XP") > 0 then
            GetWinVersion=XP
            Exit Function
        elseif InStr(thisLine, "Windows 7") > 0 then
            GetWinVersion=7
            Exit Function
        end if
    Wend
    MsgBox "Error parsing output of wmic os get Caption"
    self.Close
End Function

Answer 1

WMIC is a wrapper for WMI, which you can use directly in VBS;

function GetWinVersion
    dim WMI: set WMI = GetObject("winmgmts:\\.\root\cimv2")
    dim colResults: set colResults = WMI.ExecQuery("Select * from Win32_OperatingSystem")
    dim item
    for each item in colResults
        GetWinVersion = item.caption
    next
end function