The Win32_PnPEntity WMI class represents the properties of a Plug and Play device. Plug and Play entities are shown as entries in the Device Manager located in Control Panel.

Methods

Win32_PNPEntity has 3 methods:

Methods have been added in Windows 10 and Server 2016. These methods are unavailable in older versions of Windows.

In older Windows versions, use direct SetupAPI calls to manage devices. For example:
Install-Module -Name DeviceManagement -Scope CurrentUser -Force

Method	Description
Disable	Disables this Plug and Play device.
Enable	Enables this Plug and Play device.
GetDeviceProperties	Gets the specified properties of this Plug and Play device.

Learn more about Invoke-CimMethod and how to invoke commands. Click any of the methods listed above to learn more about their purpose, parameters, and return value.

Properties

Win32_PNPEntity returns 26 properties:

'Availability','Caption','ClassGuid','CompatibleID','ConfigManagerErrorCode',
'ConfigManagerUserConfig','CreationClassName','Description','DeviceID','ErrorCleared','ErrorDescription',
'HardwareID','InstallDate','LastErrorCode','Manufacturer','Name','PNPClass','PNPDeviceID',
'PowerManagementCapabilities','PowerManagementSupported','Present','Service','Status','StatusInfo',
'SystemCreationClassName','SystemName'

Unless explicitly marked as writeable, all properties are read-only. Read all properties for all instances:

# read all PnP devices, and show them in the gridview
# let the user select one, and show all properties
# (use the text filter box on top of the gridview to enter a text filter such as "camera" or "audio")
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Out-GridView -Title 'Select a device' -OutputMode Single | Select-Object -Property *

Beginning in Windows 10 and Server 2016, this WMI class is available via Get-PnPDevice, too. So you can run above code like this as well:
# read all PnP devices, and show them in the gridview
# let the user select one, and show all properties
# (use the text filter box on top of the gridview to enter a text filter such as "camera" or "audio")
Get-PnPDevice | Out-GridView -Title 'Select a device' -OutputMode Single | Select-Object -Property *
If you need to address older versions of Windows, stick to the direct WMI query using Get-CimInstance.

Availability

UINT16

Availability and status of the device.

Availability returns a numeric value. To translate it into a meaningful text, use any of the following approaches:

Use a PowerShell Hashtable

$Availability_map = @{
= 'Other'
= 'Unknown'
= 'Running/Full Power'
= 'Warning'
= 'In Test'
= 'Not Applicable'
= 'Power Off'
= 'Off Line'
= 'Off Duty'
= 'Degraded'
= 'Not Installed'
= 'Install Error'
= 'Power Save - Unknown'
= 'Power Save - Low Power Mode'
= 'Power Save - Standby'
= 'Power Cycle'
= 'Power Save - Warning'
= 'Paused'
= 'Not Ready'
= 'Not Configured'
= 'Quiesced'
}

Use a switch statement

switch([int]$value)
{
        {'Other'}
        {'Unknown'}
        {'Running/Full Power'}
        {'Warning'}
        {'In Test'}
        {'Not Applicable'}
        {'Power Off'}
        {'Off Line'}
        {'Off Duty'}
       {'Degraded'}
       {'Not Installed'}
       {'Install Error'}
       {'Power Save - Unknown'}
       {'Power Save - Low Power Mode'}
       {'Power Save - Standby'}
       {'Power Cycle'}
       {'Power Save - Warning'}
       {'Paused'}
       {'Not Ready'}
       {'Not Configured'}
       {'Quiesced'}
  default    {"$value"}
}

Use Enum structure

Enum EnumAvailability
{
  Other                       = 1
  Unknown                     = 2
  RunningFull_Power           = 3
  Warning                     = 4
  In_Test                     = 5
  Not_Applicable              = 6
  Power_Off                   = 7
  Off_Line                    = 8
  Off_Duty                    = 9
  Degraded                    = 10
  Not_Installed               = 11
  Install_Error               = 12
  Power_Save_Unknown          = 13
  Power_Save_Low_Power_Mode   = 14
  Power_Save_Standby          = 15
  Power_Cycle                 = 16
  Power_Save_Warning          = 17
  Paused                      = 18
  Not_Ready                   = 19
  Not_Configured              = 20
  Quiesced                    = 21
}

Examples

Use $Availability_map in a calculated property for Select-Object

<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to translate raw numeric values for 
  property "Availability" to friendly text

  Note: to use other properties than "Availability", look up the appropriate 
  translation hashtable for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define hashtable to translate raw values to friendly text

# Please note: this hashtable is specific for property "Availability" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$Availability_map = @{
      1 = 'Other'
      2 = 'Unknown'
      3 = 'Running/Full Power'
      4 = 'Warning'
      5 = 'In Test'
      6 = 'Not Applicable'
      7 = 'Power Off'
      8 = 'Off Line'
      9 = 'Off Duty'
     10 = 'Degraded'
     11 = 'Not Installed'
     12 = 'Install Error'
     13 = 'Power Save - Unknown'
     14 = 'Power Save - Low Power Mode'
     15 = 'Power Save - Standby'
     16 = 'Power Cycle'
     17 = 'Power Save - Warning'
     18 = 'Paused'
     19 = 'Not Ready'
     20 = 'Not Configured'
     21 = 'Quiesced'
}

#endregion define hashtable

#region define calculated property (to be used with Select-Object)

<#
  a calculated property is defined by a hashtable with keys "Name" and "Expression"
  "Name" defines the name of the property (in this example, it is "Availability", but you can rename it to anything else)
  "Expression" defines a scriptblock that calculates the content of this property
  in this example, the scriptblock uses the hashtable defined earlier to translate each numeric
  value to its friendly text counterpart:
#>
 
$Availability = @{
  Name = 'Availability'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $value = $_.Availability
    $Availability_map[[int]$value]
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve the instances, and output the properties "Caption" and "Availability". The latter
# is defined by the hashtable in $Availability: 
Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property Caption, $Availability

# ...or dump content of property Availability:
$friendlyValues = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | 
    Select-Object -Property $Availability |
    Select-Object -ExpandProperty Availability

# output values
$friendlyValues

# output values as comma separated list
$friendlyValues -join ', '

# output values as bullet list
$friendlyValues | ForEach-Object { "- $_" }

Use $Availability_map to directly translate raw values from an instance

<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to manually translate raw numeric values 
  for property "Win32_PNPEntity" to friendly text. This approach is ideal when
  there is just one instance to work with.

  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_PNPEntity", look up the appropriate 
  translation hashtable for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define hashtable to translate raw values to friendly text

# Please note: this hashtable is specific for property "Win32_PNPEntity" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$Availability_map = @{
      1 = 'Other'
      2 = 'Unknown'
      3 = 'Running/Full Power'
      4 = 'Warning'
      5 = 'In Test'
      6 = 'Not Applicable'
      7 = 'Power Off'
      8 = 'Off Line'
      9 = 'Off Duty'
     10 = 'Degraded'
     11 = 'Not Installed'
     12 = 'Install Error'
     13 = 'Power Save - Unknown'
     14 = 'Power Save - Low Power Mode'
     15 = 'Power Save - Standby'
     16 = 'Power Cycle'
     17 = 'Power Save - Warning'
     18 = 'Paused'
     19 = 'Not Ready'
     20 = 'Not Configured'
     21 = 'Quiesced'
}

#endregion define hashtable

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -First 1

<#
  IMPORTANT: this example processes only one instance to illustrate
  the number-to-text translation. To process all instances, replace
  "Select-Object -First 1" with a "Foreach-Object" loop, and use
  the iterator variable $_ instead of $instance
#>

# query the property
$rawValue = $instance.Availability  

# translate raw value to friendly text:
$friendlyName = $Availability_map[[int]$rawValue]

# output value
$friendlyName

Use a switch statement inside a calculated property for Select-Object

<# 
  this example uses a switch clause to translate raw numeric 
  values for property "Availability" to friendly text. The switch
  clause is embedded into a calculated property so there is
  no need to refer to external variables for translation.

  Note: to use other properties than "Availability", look up the appropriate 
  translation switch clause for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define calculated property (to be used with Select-Object)

<#
  a calculated property is defined by a hashtable with keys "Name" and "Expression"
  "Name" defines the name of the property (in this example, it is "Availability", but you can rename it to anything else)
  "Expression" defines a scriptblock that calculates the content of this property
  in this example, the scriptblock uses the hashtable defined earlier to translate each numeric
  value to its friendly text counterpart:
#>
 
$Availability = @{
  Name = 'Availability'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $value = $_.Availability
    
    switch([int]$value)
      {
        1          {'Other'}
        2          {'Unknown'}
        3          {'Running/Full Power'}
        4          {'Warning'}
        5          {'In Test'}
        6          {'Not Applicable'}
        7          {'Power Off'}
        8          {'Off Line'}
        9          {'Off Duty'}
        10         {'Degraded'}
        11         {'Not Installed'}
        12         {'Install Error'}
        13         {'Power Save - Unknown'}
        14         {'Power Save - Low Power Mode'}
        15         {'Power Save - Standby'}
        16         {'Power Cycle'}
        17         {'Power Save - Warning'}
        18         {'Paused'}
        19         {'Not Ready'}
        20         {'Not Configured'}
        21         {'Quiesced'}
        default    {"$value"}
      }
      
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve all instances...
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | 
  # ...and output properties "Caption" and "Availability". The latter is defined
  # by the hashtable in $Availability:
  Select-Object -Property Caption, $Availability

Use the Enum from above to auto-translate the code values

<# 
  this example translates raw values by means of type conversion
  the friendly names are defined as enumeration using the
  keyword "enum" (PowerShell 5 or better)
  
  The raw value(s) are translated to friendly text by 
  simply converting them into the enum type.
  
  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_PNPEntity", look up the appropriate 
  enum definition for the property you would like to use instead.
#>


#region define enum with value-to-text translation:
Enum EnumAvailability
{
  Other                       = 1
  Unknown                     = 2
  RunningFull_Power           = 3
  Warning                     = 4
  In_Test                     = 5
  Not_Applicable              = 6
  Power_Off                   = 7
  Off_Line                    = 8
  Off_Duty                    = 9
  Degraded                    = 10
  Not_Installed               = 11
  Install_Error               = 12
  Power_Save_Unknown          = 13
  Power_Save_Low_Power_Mode   = 14
  Power_Save_Standby          = 15
  Power_Cycle                 = 16
  Power_Save_Warning          = 17
  Paused                      = 18
  Not_Ready                   = 19
  Not_Configured              = 20
  Quiesced                    = 21
}

#endregion define enum

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -First 1

<#
  IMPORTANT: this example processes only one instance to focus on
  the number-to-text type conversion. 
  
  To process all instances, replace   "Select-Object -First 1" 
  with a "Foreach-Object" loop, and use the iterator variable 
  $_ instead of $instance
#>

# query the property:
$rawValue = $instance.Availability

#region using strict type conversion

<#
  Note: strict type conversion fails if the raw value is 
  not defined by the enum. So if the list of allowable values
  was extended and the enum does not match the value,
  an exception is thrown
#>

# convert the property to the enum **Availability** 
[EnumAvailability]$rawValue 

# get a comma-separated string:
[EnumAvailability]$rawValue -join ',' 
#endregion

#region using operator "-as"

<#
  Note: the operator "-as" accepts values not defined
  by the enum and returns $null instead of throwing
  an exception
#>

$rawValue -as [EnumAvailability]
#endregion

Enums must cover all possible values. If Availability returns a value that is not defined in the enum, an exception occurs. The exception reports the value that was missing in the enum. To fix, add the missing value to the enum.

Caption

STRING MAX 64 CHAR

Short description of the object.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, Caption

ClassGuid

STRING

Globally unique identifier (GUID) of this Plug and Play device.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, ClassGuid

CompatibleID

STRING ARRAY

A vendor-defined identification string that Setup uses to match a device to an INF file. A device can have a list of compatible IDs associated with it. The compatible IDs should be listed in order of decreasing suitability. If Setup cannot locate an INF file that matches one of a device’s hardware IDs, it uses compatible IDs to locate an INF file. A compatible ID has the same format as a HardwareID. For more information, see Windows Driver Kit.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, CompatibleID

ConfigManagerErrorCode

UINT32

Win32 Configuration Manager error code.

ConfigManagerErrorCode returns a numeric value. To translate it into a meaningful text, use any of the following approaches:

Use a PowerShell Hashtable

$ConfigManagerErrorCode_map = @{
= 'This device is working properly.'
= 'This device is not configured correctly.'
= 'Windows cannot load the driver for this device.'
= 'The driver for this device might be corrupted, or your system may be running low on memory or other resources.'
= 'This device is not working properly. One of its drivers or your registry might be corrupted.'
= 'The driver for this device needs a resource that Windows cannot manage.'
= 'The boot configuration for this device conflicts with other devices.'
= 'Cannot filter.'
= 'The driver loader for the device is missing.'
= 'This device is not working properly because the controlling firmware is reporting the resources for the device incorrectly.'
= 'This device cannot start.'
= 'This device failed.'
= 'This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use.'
= 'Windows cannot verify this device''s resources.'
= 'This device cannot work properly until you restart your computer.'
= 'This device is not working properly because there is probably a re-enumeration problem.'
= 'Windows cannot identify all the resources this device uses.'
= 'This device is asking for an unknown resource type.'
= 'Reinstall the drivers for this device.'
= 'Failure using the VxD loader.'
= 'Your registry might be corrupted.'
= 'System failure: Try changing the driver for this device. If that does not work, see your hardware documentation. Windows is removing this device.'
= 'This device is disabled.'
= 'System failure: Try changing the driver for this device. If that doesn''t work, see your hardware documentation.'
= 'This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed.'
= 'Windows is still setting up this device.'
= 'Windows is still setting up this device.'
= 'This device does not have valid log configuration.'
= 'The drivers for this device are not installed.'
= 'This device is disabled because the firmware of the device did not give it the required resources.'
= 'This device is using an Interrupt Request (IRQ) resource that another device is using.'
= 'This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device.'
}

Use a switch statement

switch([int]$value)
{
        {'This device is working properly.'}
        {'This device is not configured correctly.'}
        {'Windows cannot load the driver for this device.'}
        {'The driver for this device might be corrupted, or your system may be running low on memory or other resources.'}
        {'This device is not working properly. One of its drivers or your registry might be corrupted.'}
        {'The driver for this device needs a resource that Windows cannot manage.'}
        {'The boot configuration for this device conflicts with other devices.'}
        {'Cannot filter.'}
        {'The driver loader for the device is missing.'}
        {'This device is not working properly because the controlling firmware is reporting the resources for the device incorrectly.'}
       {'This device cannot start.'}
       {'This device failed.'}
       {'This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use.'}
       {'Windows cannot verify this device''s resources.'}
       {'This device cannot work properly until you restart your computer.'}
       {'This device is not working properly because there is probably a re-enumeration problem.'}
       {'Windows cannot identify all the resources this device uses.'}
       {'This device is asking for an unknown resource type.'}
       {'Reinstall the drivers for this device.'}
       {'Failure using the VxD loader.'}
       {'Your registry might be corrupted.'}
       {'System failure: Try changing the driver for this device. If that does not work, see your hardware documentation. Windows is removing this device.'}
       {'This device is disabled.'}
       {'System failure: Try changing the driver for this device. If that doesn''t work, see your hardware documentation.'}
       {'This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed.'}
       {'Windows is still setting up this device.'}
       {'Windows is still setting up this device.'}
       {'This device does not have valid log configuration.'}
       {'The drivers for this device are not installed.'}
       {'This device is disabled because the firmware of the device did not give it the required resources.'}
       {'This device is using an Interrupt Request (IRQ) resource that another device is using.'}
       {'This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device.'}
  default    {"$value"}
}

Use Enum structure

Enum EnumConfigManagerErrorCode
{
  This_device_is_working_properly                              = 0
  This_device_is_not_configured_correctly                      = 1
  Windows_cannot_load_the_driver_for_this_device               = 2
  The_driver_for_this_device_might_be_corrupted_or_your_system_may_be_running_low_on_memory_or_other_resources = 3
  This_device_is_not_working_properly_One_of_its_drivers_or_your_registry_might_be_corrupted = 4
  The_driver_for_this_device_needs_a_resource_that_Windows_cannot_manage = 5
  The_boot_configuration_for_this_device_conflicts_with_other_devices = 6
  Cannot_filter                                                = 7
  The_driver_loader_for_the_device_is_missing                  = 8
  This_device_is_not_working_properly_because_the_controlling_firmware_is_reporting_the_resources_for_the_device_incorrectly = 9
  This_device_cannot_start                                     = 10
  This_device_failed                                           = 11
  This_device_cannot_find_enough_free_resources_that_it_can_use = 12
  Windows_cannot_verify_this_devices_resources                 = 13
  This_device_cannot_work_properly_until_you_restart_your_computer = 14
  This_device_is_not_working_properly_because_there_is_probably_a_re_enumeration_problem = 15
  Windows_cannot_identify_all_the_resources_this_device_uses   = 16
  This_device_is_asking_for_an_unknown_resource_type           = 17
  Reinstall_the_drivers_for_this_device                        = 18
  Failure_using_the_VxD_loader                                 = 19
  Your_registry_might_be_corrupted                             = 20
  System_failure_Try_changing_the_driver_for_this_device_If_that_does_not_work_see_your_hardware_documentation_Windows_is_removing_this_device = 21
  This_device_is_disabled                                      = 22
  System_failure_Try_changing_the_driver_for_this_device_If_that_doesnt_work_see_your_hardware_documentation = 23
  This_device_is_not_present_is_not_working_properly_or_does_not_have_all_its_drivers_installed = 24
  Windows_is_still_setting_up_this_device1                     = 25
  Windows_is_still_setting_up_this_device2                     = 26
  This_device_does_not_have_valid_log_configuration            = 27
  The_drivers_for_this_device_are_not_installed                = 28
  This_device_is_disabled_because_the_firmware_of_the_device_did_not_give_it_the_required_resources = 29
  This_device_is_using_an_Interrupt_Request_IRQ_resource_that_another_device_is_using = 30
  This_device_is_not_working_properly_because_Windows_cannot_load_the_drivers_required_for_this_device = 31
}

Examples

Use $ConfigManagerErrorCode_map in a calculated property for Select-Object

<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to translate raw numeric values for 
  property "ConfigManagerErrorCode" to friendly text

  Note: to use other properties than "ConfigManagerErrorCode", look up the appropriate 
  translation hashtable for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define hashtable to translate raw values to friendly text

# Please note: this hashtable is specific for property "ConfigManagerErrorCode" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$ConfigManagerErrorCode_map = @{
      0 = 'This device is working properly.'
      1 = 'This device is not configured correctly.'
      2 = 'Windows cannot load the driver for this device.'
      3 = 'The driver for this device might be corrupted, or your system may be running low on memory or other resources.'
      4 = 'This device is not working properly. One of its drivers or your registry might be corrupted.'
      5 = 'The driver for this device needs a resource that Windows cannot manage.'
      6 = 'The boot configuration for this device conflicts with other devices.'
      7 = 'Cannot filter.'
      8 = 'The driver loader for the device is missing.'
      9 = 'This device is not working properly because the controlling firmware is reporting the resources for the device incorrectly.'
     10 = 'This device cannot start.'
     11 = 'This device failed.'
     12 = 'This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use.'
     13 = 'Windows cannot verify this device''s resources.'
     14 = 'This device cannot work properly until you restart your computer.'
     15 = 'This device is not working properly because there is probably a re-enumeration problem.'
     16 = 'Windows cannot identify all the resources this device uses.'
     17 = 'This device is asking for an unknown resource type.'
     18 = 'Reinstall the drivers for this device.'
     19 = 'Failure using the VxD loader.'
     20 = 'Your registry might be corrupted.'
     21 = 'System failure: Try changing the driver for this device. If that does not work, see your hardware documentation. Windows is removing this device.'
     22 = 'This device is disabled.'
     23 = 'System failure: Try changing the driver for this device. If that doesn''t work, see your hardware documentation.'
     24 = 'This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed.'
     25 = 'Windows is still setting up this device.'
     26 = 'Windows is still setting up this device.'
     27 = 'This device does not have valid log configuration.'
     28 = 'The drivers for this device are not installed.'
     29 = 'This device is disabled because the firmware of the device did not give it the required resources.'
     30 = 'This device is using an Interrupt Request (IRQ) resource that another device is using.'
     31 = 'This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device.'
}

#endregion define hashtable

#region define calculated property (to be used with Select-Object)

<#
  a calculated property is defined by a hashtable with keys "Name" and "Expression"
  "Name" defines the name of the property (in this example, it is "ConfigManagerErrorCode", but you can rename it to anything else)
  "Expression" defines a scriptblock that calculates the content of this property
  in this example, the scriptblock uses the hashtable defined earlier to translate each numeric
  value to its friendly text counterpart:
#>
 
$ConfigManagerErrorCode = @{
  Name = 'ConfigManagerErrorCode'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $value = $_.ConfigManagerErrorCode
    $ConfigManagerErrorCode_map[[int]$value]
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve the instances, and output the properties "Caption" and "ConfigManagerErrorCode". The latter
# is defined by the hashtable in $ConfigManagerErrorCode: 
Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property Caption, $ConfigManagerErrorCode

# ...or dump content of property ConfigManagerErrorCode:
$friendlyValues = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | 
    Select-Object -Property $ConfigManagerErrorCode |
    Select-Object -ExpandProperty ConfigManagerErrorCode

# output values
$friendlyValues

# output values as comma separated list
$friendlyValues -join ', '

# output values as bullet list
$friendlyValues | ForEach-Object { "- $_" }

Use $ConfigManagerErrorCode_map to directly translate raw values from an instance

<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to manually translate raw numeric values 
  for property "Win32_PNPEntity" to friendly text. This approach is ideal when
  there is just one instance to work with.

  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_PNPEntity", look up the appropriate 
  translation hashtable for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define hashtable to translate raw values to friendly text

# Please note: this hashtable is specific for property "Win32_PNPEntity" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$ConfigManagerErrorCode_map = @{
      0 = 'This device is working properly.'
      1 = 'This device is not configured correctly.'
      2 = 'Windows cannot load the driver for this device.'
      3 = 'The driver for this device might be corrupted, or your system may be running low on memory or other resources.'
      4 = 'This device is not working properly. One of its drivers or your registry might be corrupted.'
      5 = 'The driver for this device needs a resource that Windows cannot manage.'
      6 = 'The boot configuration for this device conflicts with other devices.'
      7 = 'Cannot filter.'
      8 = 'The driver loader for the device is missing.'
      9 = 'This device is not working properly because the controlling firmware is reporting the resources for the device incorrectly.'
     10 = 'This device cannot start.'
     11 = 'This device failed.'
     12 = 'This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use.'
     13 = 'Windows cannot verify this device''s resources.'
     14 = 'This device cannot work properly until you restart your computer.'
     15 = 'This device is not working properly because there is probably a re-enumeration problem.'
     16 = 'Windows cannot identify all the resources this device uses.'
     17 = 'This device is asking for an unknown resource type.'
     18 = 'Reinstall the drivers for this device.'
     19 = 'Failure using the VxD loader.'
     20 = 'Your registry might be corrupted.'
     21 = 'System failure: Try changing the driver for this device. If that does not work, see your hardware documentation. Windows is removing this device.'
     22 = 'This device is disabled.'
     23 = 'System failure: Try changing the driver for this device. If that doesn''t work, see your hardware documentation.'
     24 = 'This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed.'
     25 = 'Windows is still setting up this device.'
     26 = 'Windows is still setting up this device.'
     27 = 'This device does not have valid log configuration.'
     28 = 'The drivers for this device are not installed.'
     29 = 'This device is disabled because the firmware of the device did not give it the required resources.'
     30 = 'This device is using an Interrupt Request (IRQ) resource that another device is using.'
     31 = 'This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device.'
}

#endregion define hashtable

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -First 1

<#
  IMPORTANT: this example processes only one instance to illustrate
  the number-to-text translation. To process all instances, replace
  "Select-Object -First 1" with a "Foreach-Object" loop, and use
  the iterator variable $_ instead of $instance
#>

# query the property
$rawValue = $instance.ConfigManagerErrorCode  

# translate raw value to friendly text:
$friendlyName = $ConfigManagerErrorCode_map[[int]$rawValue]

# output value
$friendlyName

Use a switch statement inside a calculated property for Select-Object

<# 
  this example uses a switch clause to translate raw numeric 
  values for property "ConfigManagerErrorCode" to friendly text. The switch
  clause is embedded into a calculated property so there is
  no need to refer to external variables for translation.

  Note: to use other properties than "ConfigManagerErrorCode", look up the appropriate 
  translation switch clause for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define calculated property (to be used with Select-Object)

<#
  a calculated property is defined by a hashtable with keys "Name" and "Expression"
  "Name" defines the name of the property (in this example, it is "ConfigManagerErrorCode", but you can rename it to anything else)
  "Expression" defines a scriptblock that calculates the content of this property
  in this example, the scriptblock uses the hashtable defined earlier to translate each numeric
  value to its friendly text counterpart:
#>
 
$ConfigManagerErrorCode = @{
  Name = 'ConfigManagerErrorCode'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $value = $_.ConfigManagerErrorCode
    
    switch([int]$value)
      {
        0          {'This device is working properly.'}
        1          {'This device is not configured correctly.'}
        2          {'Windows cannot load the driver for this device.'}
        3          {'The driver for this device might be corrupted, or your system may be running low on memory or other resources.'}
        4          {'This device is not working properly. One of its drivers or your registry might be corrupted.'}
        5          {'The driver for this device needs a resource that Windows cannot manage.'}
        6          {'The boot configuration for this device conflicts with other devices.'}
        7          {'Cannot filter.'}
        8          {'The driver loader for the device is missing.'}
        9          {'This device is not working properly because the controlling firmware is reporting the resources for the device incorrectly.'}
        10         {'This device cannot start.'}
        11         {'This device failed.'}
        12         {'This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use.'}
        13         {'Windows cannot verify this device''s resources.'}
        14         {'This device cannot work properly until you restart your computer.'}
        15         {'This device is not working properly because there is probably a re-enumeration problem.'}
        16         {'Windows cannot identify all the resources this device uses.'}
        17         {'This device is asking for an unknown resource type.'}
        18         {'Reinstall the drivers for this device.'}
        19         {'Failure using the VxD loader.'}
        20         {'Your registry might be corrupted.'}
        21         {'System failure: Try changing the driver for this device. If that does not work, see your hardware documentation. Windows is removing this device.'}
        22         {'This device is disabled.'}
        23         {'System failure: Try changing the driver for this device. If that doesn''t work, see your hardware documentation.'}
        24         {'This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed.'}
        25         {'Windows is still setting up this device.'}
        26         {'Windows is still setting up this device.'}
        27         {'This device does not have valid log configuration.'}
        28         {'The drivers for this device are not installed.'}
        29         {'This device is disabled because the firmware of the device did not give it the required resources.'}
        30         {'This device is using an Interrupt Request (IRQ) resource that another device is using.'}
        31         {'This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device.'}
        default    {"$value"}
      }
      
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve all instances...
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | 
  # ...and output properties "Caption" and "ConfigManagerErrorCode". The latter is defined
  # by the hashtable in $ConfigManagerErrorCode:
  Select-Object -Property Caption, $ConfigManagerErrorCode

Use the Enum from above to auto-translate the code values

<# 
  this example translates raw values by means of type conversion
  the friendly names are defined as enumeration using the
  keyword "enum" (PowerShell 5 or better)
  
  The raw value(s) are translated to friendly text by 
  simply converting them into the enum type.
  
  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_PNPEntity", look up the appropriate 
  enum definition for the property you would like to use instead.
#>


#region define enum with value-to-text translation:
Enum EnumConfigManagerErrorCode
{
  This_device_is_working_properly                              = 0
  This_device_is_not_configured_correctly                      = 1
  Windows_cannot_load_the_driver_for_this_device               = 2
  The_driver_for_this_device_might_be_corrupted_or_your_system_may_be_running_low_on_memory_or_other_resources = 3
  This_device_is_not_working_properly_One_of_its_drivers_or_your_registry_might_be_corrupted = 4
  The_driver_for_this_device_needs_a_resource_that_Windows_cannot_manage = 5
  The_boot_configuration_for_this_device_conflicts_with_other_devices = 6
  Cannot_filter                                                = 7
  The_driver_loader_for_the_device_is_missing                  = 8
  This_device_is_not_working_properly_because_the_controlling_firmware_is_reporting_the_resources_for_the_device_incorrectly = 9
  This_device_cannot_start                                     = 10
  This_device_failed                                           = 11
  This_device_cannot_find_enough_free_resources_that_it_can_use = 12
  Windows_cannot_verify_this_devices_resources                 = 13
  This_device_cannot_work_properly_until_you_restart_your_computer = 14
  This_device_is_not_working_properly_because_there_is_probably_a_re_enumeration_problem = 15
  Windows_cannot_identify_all_the_resources_this_device_uses   = 16
  This_device_is_asking_for_an_unknown_resource_type           = 17
  Reinstall_the_drivers_for_this_device                        = 18
  Failure_using_the_VxD_loader                                 = 19
  Your_registry_might_be_corrupted                             = 20
  System_failure_Try_changing_the_driver_for_this_device_If_that_does_not_work_see_your_hardware_documentation_Windows_is_removing_this_device = 21
  This_device_is_disabled                                      = 22
  System_failure_Try_changing_the_driver_for_this_device_If_that_doesnt_work_see_your_hardware_documentation = 23
  This_device_is_not_present_is_not_working_properly_or_does_not_have_all_its_drivers_installed = 24
  Windows_is_still_setting_up_this_device1                     = 25
  Windows_is_still_setting_up_this_device2                     = 26
  This_device_does_not_have_valid_log_configuration            = 27
  The_drivers_for_this_device_are_not_installed                = 28
  This_device_is_disabled_because_the_firmware_of_the_device_did_not_give_it_the_required_resources = 29
  This_device_is_using_an_Interrupt_Request_IRQ_resource_that_another_device_is_using = 30
  This_device_is_not_working_properly_because_Windows_cannot_load_the_drivers_required_for_this_device = 31
}

#endregion define enum

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -First 1

<#
  IMPORTANT: this example processes only one instance to focus on
  the number-to-text type conversion. 
  
  To process all instances, replace   "Select-Object -First 1" 
  with a "Foreach-Object" loop, and use the iterator variable 
  $_ instead of $instance
#>

# query the property:
$rawValue = $instance.ConfigManagerErrorCode

#region using strict type conversion

<#
  Note: strict type conversion fails if the raw value is 
  not defined by the enum. So if the list of allowable values
  was extended and the enum does not match the value,
  an exception is thrown
#>

# convert the property to the enum **ConfigManagerErrorCode** 
[EnumConfigManagerErrorCode]$rawValue 

# get a comma-separated string:
[EnumConfigManagerErrorCode]$rawValue -join ',' 
#endregion

#region using operator "-as"

<#
  Note: the operator "-as" accepts values not defined
  by the enum and returns $null instead of throwing
  an exception
#>

$rawValue -as [EnumConfigManagerErrorCode]
#endregion

Enums must cover all possible values. If ConfigManagerErrorCode returns a value that is not defined in the enum, an exception occurs. The exception reports the value that was missing in the enum. To fix, add the missing value to the enum.

ConfigManagerUserConfig

BOOLEAN

If TRUE, the device is using a user-defined configuration.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, ConfigManagerUserConfig

CreationClassName

STRING

Name of the first concrete class to appear in the inheritance chain used in the creation of an instance. When used with the other key properties of the class, the property allows all instances of this class and its subclasses to be uniquely identified.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, CreationClassName

Description

STRING

Description of the object.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, Description

DeviceID

KEY PROPERTY STRING

Identifier of the Plug and Play device.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID

ErrorCleared

BOOLEAN

If TRUE, the error reported in LastErrorCode is now cleared.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, ErrorCleared

ErrorDescription

STRING

More information about the error recorded in LastErrorCode, and information about any corrective actions that may be taken.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, ErrorDescription

HardwareID

STRING ARRAY

A vendor-defined identification string that Setup uses to match a device to an INF file. Normally, a device has an associated list of hardware IDs. An exception is the 1394 bus driver, which does not use hardware IDs. The first hardware ID in the list should be the device ID. The remaining IDs should be listed in order of decreasing suitability.

Hardware IDs appear in one the following formats:

enumerator\enumerator-specific-device-ID

This is the most common format for individual PnP devices. An example of an enumerator is the BIOS or ISAPNP.

*enumerator-specific ID

An asterisk (*) indicates use by more than one enumerator.

device-class-specific ID

A custom format.

Examples of Hardware IDs are:

For more information, see the Windows Driver Kit.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, HardwareID

InstallDate

DATETIME

Date and time the object was installed. This property does not need a value to indicate that the object is installed.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, InstallDate

LastErrorCode

UINT32

Last error code reported by the logical device.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, LastErrorCode

Manufacturer

STRING

Name of the manufacturer of the Plug and Play device.

Example: “Acme”

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, Manufacturer

Name

STRING

Label by which the object is known. When subclassed, the property can be overridden to be a key property.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, Name

PNPClass

STRING

Warning

This property, despite being listed in the MOF file, does not actually exist in the class. The property is described here only for the sake of completeness, and to clarify the MOF file itself.

The name of the type of this Plug and Play device.

Windows Server® 2012® R2, Windows® 8.1, Windows Server® 2012, Windows® 8, Windows Server® 2008® R2, Windows® 7, Windows Server® 2008 and Windows® Vista: This property is not in the MOF file.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, PNPClass

PNPDeviceID

STRING

Windows Plug and Play device identifier of the logical device.

Example: “*PNP030b”

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, PNPDeviceID

PowerManagementCapabilities

UINT16 ARRAY

Not implemented.

PowerManagementCapabilities returns a numeric value. To translate it into a meaningful text, use any of the following approaches:

Use a PowerShell Hashtable

$PowerManagementCapabilities_map = @{
= 'Unknown'
= 'Not Supported'
= 'Disabled'
= 'Enabled'
= 'Power Saving Modes Entered Automatically'
= 'Power State Settable'
= 'Power Cycling Supported'
= 'Timed Power On Supported'
}

Use a switch statement

switch([int]$value)
{
  0          {'Unknown'}
  1          {'Not Supported'}
  2          {'Disabled'}
  3          {'Enabled'}
  4          {'Power Saving Modes Entered Automatically'}
  5          {'Power State Settable'}
  6          {'Power Cycling Supported'}
  7          {'Timed Power On Supported'}
  default    {"$value"}
}

Use Enum structure

Enum EnumPowerManagementCapabilities
{
  Unknown                                    = 0
  Not_Supported                              = 1
  Disabled                                   = 2
  Enabled                                    = 3
  Power_Saving_Modes_Entered_Automatically   = 4
  Power_State_Settable                       = 5
  Power_Cycling_Supported                    = 6
  Timed_Power_On_Supported                   = 7
}

Examples

Use $PowerManagementCapabilities_map in a calculated property for Select-Object

<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to translate raw numeric values for 
  property "PowerManagementCapabilities" to friendly text

  Note: to use other properties than "PowerManagementCapabilities", look up the appropriate 
  translation hashtable for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define hashtable to translate raw values to friendly text

# Please note: this hashtable is specific for property "PowerManagementCapabilities" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$PowerManagementCapabilities_map = @{
      0 = 'Unknown'
      1 = 'Not Supported'
      2 = 'Disabled'
      3 = 'Enabled'
      4 = 'Power Saving Modes Entered Automatically'
      5 = 'Power State Settable'
      6 = 'Power Cycling Supported'
      7 = 'Timed Power On Supported'
}

#endregion define hashtable

#region define calculated property (to be used with Select-Object)

<#
  a calculated property is defined by a hashtable with keys "Name" and "Expression"
  "Name" defines the name of the property (in this example, it is "PowerManagementCapabilities", but you can rename it to anything else)
  "Expression" defines a scriptblock that calculates the content of this property
  in this example, the scriptblock uses the hashtable defined earlier to translate each numeric
  value to its friendly text counterpart:
#>
 
$PowerManagementCapabilities = @{
  Name = 'PowerManagementCapabilities'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $result = foreach($value in $_.PowerManagementCapabilities)
    {
        # important: convert original value to [int] because
        # hashtable keys are type-aware:
        $PowerManagementCapabilities_map[[int]$value]
    }
    # uncomment to get a comma-separated string instead
    # of a string array:
    $result <#-join ', '#>
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve the instances, and output the properties "Caption" and "PowerManagementCapabilities". The latter
# is defined by the hashtable in $PowerManagementCapabilities: 
Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property Caption, $PowerManagementCapabilities

# ...or dump content of property PowerManagementCapabilities:
$friendlyValues = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | 
    Select-Object -Property $PowerManagementCapabilities |
    Select-Object -ExpandProperty PowerManagementCapabilities

# output values
$friendlyValues

# output values as comma separated list
$friendlyValues -join ', '

# output values as bullet list
$friendlyValues | ForEach-Object { "- $_" }

Use $PowerManagementCapabilities_map to directly translate raw values from an instance

<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to manually translate raw numeric values 
  for property "Win32_PNPEntity" to friendly text. This approach is ideal when there
  is just one instance to work with.

  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_PNPEntity", look up the appropriate 
  translation hashtable for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define hashtable to translate raw values to friendly text

# Please note: this hashtable is specific for property "Win32_PNPEntity" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$PowerManagementCapabilities_map = @{
      0 = 'Unknown'
      1 = 'Not Supported'
      2 = 'Disabled'
      3 = 'Enabled'
      4 = 'Power Saving Modes Entered Automatically'
      5 = 'Power State Settable'
      6 = 'Power Cycling Supported'
      7 = 'Timed Power On Supported'
}

#endregion define hashtable

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -First 1

<#
  IMPORTANT: this example processes only one instance to illustrate
  the number-to-text translation. To process all instances, replace
  "Select-Object -First 1" with a "Foreach-Object" loop, and use
  the iterator variable $_ instead of $instance
#>

# query the property (hint: the property is an array!)
$rawValues = $instance.PowerManagementCapabilities  

# translate all raw values into friendly names:
$friendlyNames = foreach($rawValue in $rawValues)
{ $PowerManagementCapabilities_map[[int]$rawValue] }

# output values
$friendlyValues

# output values as comma separated list
$friendlyValues -join ', '

# output values as bullet list
$friendlyValues | ForEach-Object { "- $_" }

Use a switch statement inside a calculated property for Select-Object

<# 
  this example uses a switch clause to translate raw numeric 
  values for property "PowerManagementCapabilities" to friendly text. The switch
  clause is embedded into a calculated property so there is
  no need to refer to external variables for translation.

  Note: to use other properties than "PowerManagementCapabilities", look up the appropriate 
  translation switch clause for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define calculated property (to be used with Select-Object)

<#
  a calculated property is defined by a hashtable with keys "Name" and "Expression"
  "Name" defines the name of the property (in this example, it is "PowerManagementCapabilities", but you can rename it to anything else)
  "Expression" defines a scriptblock that calculates the content of this property
  in this example, the scriptblock uses the hashtable defined earlier to translate each numeric
  value to its friendly text counterpart:
#>
 
$PowerManagementCapabilities = @{
  Name = 'PowerManagementCapabilities'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $result = foreach($value in $_.PowerManagementCapabilities)
    {
        switch([int]$value)
      {
        0          {'Unknown'}
        1          {'Not Supported'}
        2          {'Disabled'}
        3          {'Enabled'}
        4          {'Power Saving Modes Entered Automatically'}
        5          {'Power State Settable'}
        6          {'Power Cycling Supported'}
        7          {'Timed Power On Supported'}
        default    {"$value"}
      }
      
    }
    $result
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve all instances...
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | 
  # ...and output properties "Caption" and "PowerManagementCapabilities". The latter is defined
  # by the hashtable in $PowerManagementCapabilities:
  Select-Object -Property Caption, $PowerManagementCapabilities

Use the Enum from above to auto-translate the code values

<# 
  this example translates raw values by means of type conversion
  the friendly names are defined as enumeration using the
  keyword "enum" (PowerShell 5 or better)
  
  The raw value(s) are translated to friendly text by 
  simply converting them into the enum type.
  
  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_PNPEntity", look up the appropriate 
  enum definition for the property you would like to use instead.
#>


#region define enum with value-to-text translation:
Enum EnumPowerManagementCapabilities
{
  Unknown                                    = 0
  Not_Supported                              = 1
  Disabled                                   = 2
  Enabled                                    = 3
  Power_Saving_Modes_Entered_Automatically   = 4
  Power_State_Settable                       = 5
  Power_Cycling_Supported                    = 6
  Timed_Power_On_Supported                   = 7
}

#endregion define enum

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -First 1

<#
  IMPORTANT: this example processes only one instance to focus on
  the number-to-text type conversion. 
  
  To process all instances, replace   "Select-Object -First 1" 
  with a "Foreach-Object" loop, and use the iterator variable 
  $_ instead of $instance
#>

# query the property:
$rawValue = $instance.PowerManagementCapabilities

#region using strict type conversion

<#
  Note: strict type conversion fails if the raw value is 
  not defined by the enum. So if the list of allowable values
  was extended and the enum does not match the value,
  an exception is thrown
#>

# convert the property to the enum **PowerManagementCapabilities** 
[EnumPowerManagementCapabilities[]]$rawValue 

# get a comma-separated string:
[EnumPowerManagementCapabilities[]]$rawValue -join ',' 
#endregion

#region using operator "-as"

<#
  Note: the operator "-as" accepts values not defined
  by the enum and returns $null instead of throwing
  an exception
#>

$rawValue -as [EnumPowerManagementCapabilities[]]
#endregion

Enums must cover all possible values. If PowerManagementCapabilities returns a value that is not defined in the enum, an exception occurs. The exception reports the value that was missing in the enum. To fix, add the missing value to the enum.

PowerManagementSupported

BOOLEAN

Not implemented.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, PowerManagementSupported

Present

BOOLEAN

Whether this Plug and Play device is currently in the system.

Windows Server® 2012® R2, Windows® 8.1, Windows Server® 2012, Windows® 8, Windows Server® 2008® R2, Windows® 7, Windows Server® 2008 and Windows® Vista: This property is not supported.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, Present

Service

STRING

Name of the service that supports this Plug and Play device. For more information, see Win32_SystemDriverPnPEntity.

Example: “atapi”

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, Service

Status

STRING MAX 10 CHAR

Current status of an object. Various operational and nonoperational statuses can be defined. Available values:

$values = 'Degraded','Error','Lost Comm','No Contact','NonRecover','OK','Pred Fail','Service','Starting','Stopping','Stressed','Unknown'

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, Status

StatusInfo

UINT16

State of the logical device. If this property does not apply to the logical device, the value 5 (Not Applicable) should be used.

StatusInfo returns a numeric value. To translate it into a meaningful text, use any of the following approaches:

Use a PowerShell Hashtable

$StatusInfo_map = @{
= 'Other'
= 'Unknown'
= 'Enabled'
= 'Disabled'
= 'Not Applicable'
}

Use a switch statement

switch([int]$value)
{
  1          {'Other'}
  2          {'Unknown'}
  3          {'Enabled'}
  4          {'Disabled'}
  5          {'Not Applicable'}
  default    {"$value"}
}

Use Enum structure

Enum EnumStatusInfo
{
  Other            = 1
  Unknown          = 2
  Enabled          = 3
  Disabled         = 4
  Not_Applicable   = 5
}

Examples

Use $StatusInfo_map in a calculated property for Select-Object

<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to translate raw numeric values for 
  property "StatusInfo" to friendly text

  Note: to use other properties than "StatusInfo", look up the appropriate 
  translation hashtable for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define hashtable to translate raw values to friendly text

# Please note: this hashtable is specific for property "StatusInfo" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$StatusInfo_map = @{
      1 = 'Other'
      2 = 'Unknown'
      3 = 'Enabled'
      4 = 'Disabled'
      5 = 'Not Applicable'
}

#endregion define hashtable

#region define calculated property (to be used with Select-Object)

<#
  a calculated property is defined by a hashtable with keys "Name" and "Expression"
  "Name" defines the name of the property (in this example, it is "StatusInfo", but you can rename it to anything else)
  "Expression" defines a scriptblock that calculates the content of this property
  in this example, the scriptblock uses the hashtable defined earlier to translate each numeric
  value to its friendly text counterpart:
#>
 
$StatusInfo = @{
  Name = 'StatusInfo'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $value = $_.StatusInfo
    $StatusInfo_map[[int]$value]
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve the instances, and output the properties "Caption" and "StatusInfo". The latter
# is defined by the hashtable in $StatusInfo: 
Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property Caption, $StatusInfo

# ...or dump content of property StatusInfo:
$friendlyValues = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | 
    Select-Object -Property $StatusInfo |
    Select-Object -ExpandProperty StatusInfo

# output values
$friendlyValues

# output values as comma separated list
$friendlyValues -join ', '

# output values as bullet list
$friendlyValues | ForEach-Object { "- $_" }

Use $StatusInfo_map to directly translate raw values from an instance

<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to manually translate raw numeric values 
  for property "Win32_PNPEntity" to friendly text. This approach is ideal when
  there is just one instance to work with.

  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_PNPEntity", look up the appropriate 
  translation hashtable for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define hashtable to translate raw values to friendly text

# Please note: this hashtable is specific for property "Win32_PNPEntity" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$StatusInfo_map = @{
      1 = 'Other'
      2 = 'Unknown'
      3 = 'Enabled'
      4 = 'Disabled'
      5 = 'Not Applicable'
}

#endregion define hashtable

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -First 1

<#
  IMPORTANT: this example processes only one instance to illustrate
  the number-to-text translation. To process all instances, replace
  "Select-Object -First 1" with a "Foreach-Object" loop, and use
  the iterator variable $_ instead of $instance
#>

# query the property
$rawValue = $instance.StatusInfo  

# translate raw value to friendly text:
$friendlyName = $StatusInfo_map[[int]$rawValue]

# output value
$friendlyName

Use a switch statement inside a calculated property for Select-Object

<# 
  this example uses a switch clause to translate raw numeric 
  values for property "StatusInfo" to friendly text. The switch
  clause is embedded into a calculated property so there is
  no need to refer to external variables for translation.

  Note: to use other properties than "StatusInfo", look up the appropriate 
  translation switch clause for the property you would like to use instead.
#>

#region define calculated property (to be used with Select-Object)

<#
  a calculated property is defined by a hashtable with keys "Name" and "Expression"
  "Name" defines the name of the property (in this example, it is "StatusInfo", but you can rename it to anything else)
  "Expression" defines a scriptblock that calculates the content of this property
  in this example, the scriptblock uses the hashtable defined earlier to translate each numeric
  value to its friendly text counterpart:
#>
 
$StatusInfo = @{
  Name = 'StatusInfo'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $value = $_.StatusInfo
    
    switch([int]$value)
      {
        1          {'Other'}
        2          {'Unknown'}
        3          {'Enabled'}
        4          {'Disabled'}
        5          {'Not Applicable'}
        default    {"$value"}
      }
      
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve all instances...
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | 
  # ...and output properties "Caption" and "StatusInfo". The latter is defined
  # by the hashtable in $StatusInfo:
  Select-Object -Property Caption, $StatusInfo

Use the Enum from above to auto-translate the code values

<# 
  this example translates raw values by means of type conversion
  the friendly names are defined as enumeration using the
  keyword "enum" (PowerShell 5 or better)
  
  The raw value(s) are translated to friendly text by 
  simply converting them into the enum type.
  
  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_PNPEntity", look up the appropriate 
  enum definition for the property you would like to use instead.
#>


#region define enum with value-to-text translation:
Enum EnumStatusInfo
{
  Other            = 1
  Unknown          = 2
  Enabled          = 3
  Disabled         = 4
  Not_Applicable   = 5
}

#endregion define enum

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -First 1

<#
  IMPORTANT: this example processes only one instance to focus on
  the number-to-text type conversion. 
  
  To process all instances, replace   "Select-Object -First 1" 
  with a "Foreach-Object" loop, and use the iterator variable 
  $_ instead of $instance
#>

# query the property:
$rawValue = $instance.StatusInfo

#region using strict type conversion

<#
  Note: strict type conversion fails if the raw value is 
  not defined by the enum. So if the list of allowable values
  was extended and the enum does not match the value,
  an exception is thrown
#>

# convert the property to the enum **StatusInfo** 
[EnumStatusInfo]$rawValue 

# get a comma-separated string:
[EnumStatusInfo]$rawValue -join ',' 
#endregion

#region using operator "-as"

<#
  Note: the operator "-as" accepts values not defined
  by the enum and returns $null instead of throwing
  an exception
#>

$rawValue -as [EnumStatusInfo]
#endregion

Enums must cover all possible values. If StatusInfo returns a value that is not defined in the enum, an exception occurs. The exception reports the value that was missing in the enum. To fix, add the missing value to the enum.

SystemCreationClassName

STRING

Value of the scoping computer’s CreationClassName property.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, SystemCreationClassName

SystemName

STRING

Name of the scoping system.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property DeviceID, SystemName

Examples

List all instances of Win32_PNPEntity

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity

Learn more about Get-CimInstance and the deprecated Get-WmiObject.

View all properties

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity -Property *

View key properties only

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity -KeyOnly

Selecting Properties

To select only some properties, pipe the results to Select-Object -Property a,b,c with a comma-separated list of the properties you require. Wildcards are permitted.

Get-CimInstance always returns all properties but only retrieves the ones that you specify. All other properties are empty but still present. That’s why you need to pipe the results into Select-Object if you want to limit the visible properties, i.e. for reporting.

Selecting Properties

The code below lists all available properties. Remove the ones you do not need:

$properties = 'Availability',
              'Caption',
              'ClassGuid',
              'CompatibleID',
              'ConfigManagerErrorCode',
              'ConfigManagerUserConfig',
              'CreationClassName',
              'Description',
              'DeviceID',
              'ErrorCleared',
              'ErrorDescription',
              'HardwareID',
              'InstallDate',
              'LastErrorCode',
              'Manufacturer',
              'Name',
              'PNPClass',
              'PNPDeviceID',
              'PowerManagementCapabilities',
              'PowerManagementSupported',
              'Present',
              'Service',
              'Status',
              'StatusInfo',
              'SystemCreationClassName',
              'SystemName'
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity | Select-Object -Property $properties

Limiting Network Bandwidth

If you work remotely, it makes sense to limit network bandwidth by filtering the properties on the server side, too:

Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity -Property $property | 
Select-Object -Property $property

Selecting Instances

To select some instances, use Get-CimInstance and a WMI Query. The wildcard character in WMI Queries is % (and not “*”).

The parameter -Filter runs a simple query.

Listing all instances where the property Caption starts with “A”

Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_PNPEntity -Filter 'Caption LIKE "a%"' 

Using a WQL Query

The parameter -Query uses a query similar to SQL and combines the parameters -Filter and -Property. This returns all instances where the property Caption starts with “A”, and returns the properties specified:

Get-CimInstance -Query "SELECT CompatibleID, Present, Manufacturer, Availability FROM Win32_PNPEntity WHERE Caption LIKE 'a%'"

Any property you did not specify is still present but empty. You might need to use Select-Object to remove all unwanted properties:
Get-CimInstance -Query "SELECT CompatibleID, Present, Manufacturer, Availability FROM Win32_PNPEntity WHERE Caption LIKE 'a%'" | Select-Object -Property CompatibleID, Present, Manufacturer, Availability
```

Accessing Remote Computers

To access remote systems, you need to have proper permissions. User the parameter -ComputerName to access one or more remote systems.

Authenticating as Current User

```powershell

one or more computer names or IP addresses:

$list = ‘server1’, ‘server2’

authenticate with your current identity:

$result = Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PNPEntity -ComputerName $list $result ```

Authenticating as Different User

Use a CIMSession object to authenticate with a new identity:

# one or more computer names or IP addresses:
$list = 'server1', 'server2'

# authenticate with a different identity:
$cred = Get-Credential -Message 'Authenticate to retrieve WMI information:'
$session = New-CimSession -ComputerName $list -Credential $cred

$result = Get-CimInstance Win32_PNPEntity -CimSession $session

# remove the session after use (if you do not plan to re-use it later)
Remove-CimSession -CimSession $session

$result

Learn more about accessing remote computers.

Requirements

To use Win32_PNPEntity, the following requirements apply:

PowerShell

Get-CimInstance was introduced with PowerShell Version 3.0, which in turn was introduced on clients with Windows 8 and on servers with Windows Server 2012.

If necessary, update Windows PowerShell to Windows PowerShell 5.1, or install PowerShell 7 side-by-side.

Operating System

Win32_PNPEntity was introduced on clients with WindowsÂ Vista and on servers with Windows ServerÂ 2008.

Namespace

Win32_PNPEntity lives in the Namespace Root/CIMV2. This is the default namespace. There is no need to use the -Namespace parameter in Get-CimInstance.

Implementation

Win32_PNPEntity is implemented in CIMWin32.dll and defined in CIMWin32.mof. Both files are located in the folder C:\Windows\system32\wbem:

explorer $env:windir\system32\wbem
notepad $env:windir\system32\wbem\CIMWin32.mof

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