Win32_ShortcutFile

The Win32_ShortcutFile WMI class represents files that are shortcuts to other files, directories, and commands.

The Win32_ShortcutFile WMI class represents files that are shortcuts to other files, directories, and commands.

Methods

Win32_ShortcutFile has 14 methods:
Method Description
ChangeSecurityPermissions Class method that changes the security permissions for the logical file specified in the object path.
ChangeSecurityPermissionsEx Class method that changes the security permissions for the logical file specified in the object path.
Compress Class method that compresses the logical file (or directory) specified in the object path.
CompressEx Class method that compresses the logical file (or directory) specified in the object path.
Copy Class method that copies the logical file or directory specified in the object path to the location specified by the input parameter.
CopyEx Class method that copies the logical file or directory specified in the object path to the location specified by the <em>FileName</em> parameter.
Delete Class method that deletes the logical file (or directory) specified in the object path.
DeleteEx Class method that deletes the logical file (or directory) specified in the object path.
GetEffectivePermission Class method that determines whether the caller has the aggregated permissions specified by the Permission argument not only on the file object, but on the share the file or directory resides on (if it is on a share).
Rename Class method that renames the logical file (or directory) specified in the object path.
TakeOwnerShip Class method that obtains ownership of the logical file specified in the object path.
TakeOwnerShipEx Class method that obtains ownership of the logical file specified in the object path.
Uncompress Class method that uncompresses the logical file (or directory) specified in the object path.
UncompressEx Class method that uncompresses the logical file (or directory) specified in the object path.

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_ShortcutFile returns 34 properties:

'AccessMask','Archive','Caption','Compressed','CompressionMethod','CreationClassName',
'CreationDate','CSCreationClassName','CSName','Description','Drive','EightDotThreeFileName',
'Encrypted','EncryptionMethod','Extension','FileName','FileSize','FileType','FSCreationClassName',
'FSName','Hidden','InstallDate','InUseCount','LastAccessed','LastModified','Manufacturer',
'Name','Path','Readable','Status','System','Target','Version','Writeable'

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

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile -Property *

Most WMI classes return one or more instances.

When Get-CimInstance returns no result, then apparently no instances of class Win32_ShortcutFile exist. This is normal behavior.

Either the class is not implemented on your system (may be deprecated or due to missing drivers, i.e. CIM_VideoControllerResolution), or there are simply no physical representations of this class currently available (i.e. Win32_TapeDrive).

AccessMask

UINT32

Bitmask that represents the access rights required to access or perform specific operations on the file. For bit values, see File and Directory Access Rights Constants.

Note

On FAT volumes, the FULL_ACCESS value is returned instead, which indicates no security has been set on the object.

®

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

Use a PowerShell Hashtable
$AccessMask_map = @{
      1 = 'FILE_READ_DATA (file) or FILE_LIST_DIRECTORY (directory)'
      2 = 'FILE_WRITE_DATA (file) or FILE_ADD_FILE (directory)'
      4 = 'FILE_APPEND_DATA (file) or FILE_ADD_SUBDIRECTORY (directory)'
      8 = 'FILE_READ_EA'
     16 = 'FILE_WRITE_EA'
     32 = 'FILE_EXECUTE (file) or FILE_TRAVERSE (directory)'
     64 = 'FILE_DELETE_CHILD (directory)'
    128 = 'FILE_READ_ATTRIBUTES'
    256 = 'FILE_WRITE_ATTRIBUTES'
  65536 = 'DELETE'
 131072 = 'READ_CONTROL'
 262144 = 'WRITE_DAC'
 524288 = 'WRITE_OWNER'
1048576 = 'SYNCHRONIZE'
}
Use a switch statement
switch([int]$value)
{
  1          {'FILE_READ_DATA (file) or FILE_LIST_DIRECTORY (directory)'}
  2          {'FILE_WRITE_DATA (file) or FILE_ADD_FILE (directory)'}
  4          {'FILE_APPEND_DATA (file) or FILE_ADD_SUBDIRECTORY (directory)'}
  8          {'FILE_READ_EA'}
  16         {'FILE_WRITE_EA'}
  32         {'FILE_EXECUTE (file) or FILE_TRAVERSE (directory)'}
  64         {'FILE_DELETE_CHILD (directory)'}
  128        {'FILE_READ_ATTRIBUTES'}
  256        {'FILE_WRITE_ATTRIBUTES'}
  65536      {'DELETE'}
  131072     {'READ_CONTROL'}
  262144     {'WRITE_DAC'}
  524288     {'WRITE_OWNER'}
  1048576    {'SYNCHRONIZE'}
  default    {"$value"}
}
Use Enum structure
Enum EnumAccessMask
{
  FILE_READ_DATA_file_or_FILE_LIST_DIRECTORY_directory       = 1
  FILE_WRITE_DATA_file_or_FILE_ADD_FILE_directory            = 2
  FILE_APPEND_DATA_file_or_FILE_ADD_SUBDIRECTORY_directory   = 4
  FILE_READ_EA                                               = 8
  FILE_WRITE_EA                                              = 16
  FILE_EXECUTE_file_or_FILE_TRAVERSE_directory               = 32
  FILE_DELETE_CHILD_directory                                = 64
  FILE_READ_ATTRIBUTES                                       = 128
  FILE_WRITE_ATTRIBUTES                                      = 256
  DELETE                                                     = 65536
  READ_CONTROL                                               = 131072
  WRITE_DAC                                                  = 262144
  WRITE_OWNER                                                = 524288
  SYNCHRONIZE                                                = 1048576
}

Examples

Use $AccessMask_map in a calculated property for Select-Object
<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to translate raw numeric values for 
  property "AccessMask" to friendly text

  Note: to use other properties than "AccessMask", 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 "AccessMask" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$AccessMask_map = @{
      1 = 'FILE_READ_DATA (file) or FILE_LIST_DIRECTORY (directory)'
      2 = 'FILE_WRITE_DATA (file) or FILE_ADD_FILE (directory)'
      4 = 'FILE_APPEND_DATA (file) or FILE_ADD_SUBDIRECTORY (directory)'
      8 = 'FILE_READ_EA'
     16 = 'FILE_WRITE_EA'
     32 = 'FILE_EXECUTE (file) or FILE_TRAVERSE (directory)'
     64 = 'FILE_DELETE_CHILD (directory)'
    128 = 'FILE_READ_ATTRIBUTES'
    256 = 'FILE_WRITE_ATTRIBUTES'
  65536 = 'DELETE'
 131072 = 'READ_CONTROL'
 262144 = 'WRITE_DAC'
 524288 = 'WRITE_OWNER'
1048576 = 'SYNCHRONIZE'
}

#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 "AccessMask", 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:
#>
 
$AccessMask = @{
  Name = 'AccessMask'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $value = $_.AccessMask
    $AccessMask_map[[int]$value]
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve the instances, and output the properties "Caption" and "AccessMask". The latter
# is defined by the hashtable in $AccessMask: 
Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Caption, $AccessMask

# ...or dump content of property AccessMask:
$friendlyValues = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_ShortcutFile | 
    Select-Object -Property $AccessMask |
    Select-Object -ExpandProperty AccessMask

# output values
$friendlyValues

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

# output values as bullet list
$friendlyValues | ForEach-Object { "- $_" }
Use $AccessMask_map to directly translate raw values from an instance
<# 
  this example uses a hashtable to manually translate raw numeric values 
  for property "Win32_ShortcutFile" to friendly text. This approach is ideal when
  there is just one instance to work with.

  Note: to use other properties than "Win32_ShortcutFile", 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_ShortcutFile" 
# to translate other properties, use their translation table instead
$AccessMask_map = @{
      1 = 'FILE_READ_DATA (file) or FILE_LIST_DIRECTORY (directory)'
      2 = 'FILE_WRITE_DATA (file) or FILE_ADD_FILE (directory)'
      4 = 'FILE_APPEND_DATA (file) or FILE_ADD_SUBDIRECTORY (directory)'
      8 = 'FILE_READ_EA'
     16 = 'FILE_WRITE_EA'
     32 = 'FILE_EXECUTE (file) or FILE_TRAVERSE (directory)'
     64 = 'FILE_DELETE_CHILD (directory)'
    128 = 'FILE_READ_ATTRIBUTES'
    256 = 'FILE_WRITE_ATTRIBUTES'
  65536 = 'DELETE'
 131072 = 'READ_CONTROL'
 262144 = 'WRITE_DAC'
 524288 = 'WRITE_OWNER'
1048576 = 'SYNCHRONIZE'
}

#endregion define hashtable

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_ShortcutFile | 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.AccessMask  

# translate raw value to friendly text:
$friendlyName = $AccessMask_map[[int]$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 "AccessMask" 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 "AccessMask", 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 "AccessMask", 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:
#>
 
$AccessMask = @{
  Name = 'AccessMask'
  Expression = {
    # property is an array, so process all values
    $value = $_.AccessMask
    
    switch([int]$value)
      {
        1          {'FILE_READ_DATA (file) or FILE_LIST_DIRECTORY (directory)'}
        2          {'FILE_WRITE_DATA (file) or FILE_ADD_FILE (directory)'}
        4          {'FILE_APPEND_DATA (file) or FILE_ADD_SUBDIRECTORY (directory)'}
        8          {'FILE_READ_EA'}
        16         {'FILE_WRITE_EA'}
        32         {'FILE_EXECUTE (file) or FILE_TRAVERSE (directory)'}
        64         {'FILE_DELETE_CHILD (directory)'}
        128        {'FILE_READ_ATTRIBUTES'}
        256        {'FILE_WRITE_ATTRIBUTES'}
        65536      {'DELETE'}
        131072     {'READ_CONTROL'}
        262144     {'WRITE_DAC'}
        524288     {'WRITE_OWNER'}
        1048576    {'SYNCHRONIZE'}
        default    {"$value"}
      }
      
  }  
}
#endregion define calculated property

# retrieve all instances...
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | 
  # ...and output properties "Caption" and "AccessMask". The latter is defined
  # by the hashtable in $AccessMask:
  Select-Object -Property Caption, $AccessMask
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_ShortcutFile", look up the appropriate 
  enum definition for the property you would like to use instead.
#>


#region define enum with value-to-text translation:
Enum EnumAccessMask
{
  FILE_READ_DATA_file_or_FILE_LIST_DIRECTORY_directory       = 1
  FILE_WRITE_DATA_file_or_FILE_ADD_FILE_directory            = 2
  FILE_APPEND_DATA_file_or_FILE_ADD_SUBDIRECTORY_directory   = 4
  FILE_READ_EA                                               = 8
  FILE_WRITE_EA                                              = 16
  FILE_EXECUTE_file_or_FILE_TRAVERSE_directory               = 32
  FILE_DELETE_CHILD_directory                                = 64
  FILE_READ_ATTRIBUTES                                       = 128
  FILE_WRITE_ATTRIBUTES                                      = 256
  DELETE                                                     = 65536
  READ_CONTROL                                               = 131072
  WRITE_DAC                                                  = 262144
  WRITE_OWNER                                                = 524288
  SYNCHRONIZE                                                = 1048576
}

#endregion define enum

# get one instance:
$instance = Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_ShortcutFile | 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.AccessMask

#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 **AccessMask** 
[EnumAccessMask]$rawValue 

# get a comma-separated string:
[EnumAccessMask]$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 [EnumAccessMask]
#endregion

Enums must cover all possible values. If AccessMask 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.

Archive

BOOLEAN

If True, the file should be archived.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Archive

Caption

STRING MAX 64 CHAR

A short textual description of the object.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Caption

Compressed

BOOLEAN

If True, the file is compressed.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Compressed

CompressionMethod

STRING

Free-form string that indicates the algorithm or tool used to compress the logical file. If the compression scheme is unknown or not described, use “Unknown”. If the logical file is compressed, but the compression scheme is unknown or not described, use “Compressed”. If the logical file is not compressed, use “Not Compressed”.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, CompressionMethod

CreationClassName

STRING

Name of the class.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, CreationClassName

CreationDate

DATETIME

Date and time of the file’s creation.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, CreationDate

CSCreationClassName

STRING

Class of the computer system.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, CSCreationClassName

CSName

STRING

Name of the computer system.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, CSName

Description

STRING

A textual description of the object.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Description

Drive

STRING

Drive letter (including the colon that follows the drive letter) of the file.

Example: “c:”

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Drive

EightDotThreeFileName

STRING

File name in 8.3 format.

Example: “c:\progra~1”

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, EightDotThreeFileName

Encrypted

BOOLEAN

If True, the file is encrypted.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Encrypted

EncryptionMethod

STRING

Free-form string that identifies the algorithm or tool used to encrypt a logical file. If the encryption scheme is not indulged (for security reasons, for example), use “Unknown”. If the file is encrypted, but either its encryption scheme is unknown or not disclosed, use “Encrypted”. If the logical file is not encrypted, use “Not Encrypted”.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, EncryptionMethod

Extension

STRING

File name extension without the preceding period (dot).

Example: “txt”, “mof”, “mdb”

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Extension

FileName

STRING

File name without the file name extension.

Example: “MyDataFile”

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, FileName

FileSize

UINT64 “BYTES”

Size of the file, in bytes.

For more information about using uint64 values in scripts, see Scripting in WMI.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, FileSize

FileType

STRING

Descriptor that represents the file type indicated by the Extension property.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, FileType

FSCreationClassName

STRING

Class of the file system.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, FSCreationClassName

FSName

STRING

Name of the file system.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, FSName

Hidden

BOOLEAN

If True, the file is hidden.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Hidden

InstallDate

DATETIME

Indicates when the object was installed. Lack of a value does not indicate that the object is not installed.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, InstallDate

InUseCount

UINT64

Number of “file opens” that are currently active against the file.

For more information about using uint64 values in scripts, see Scripting in WMI.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, InUseCount

LastAccessed

DATETIME

Date and time the file was last accessed.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, LastAccessed

LastModified

DATETIME

Date and time the file was last modified.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, LastModified

Manufacturer

STRING

Manufacturer string from the version resource (if one is present).

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Manufacturer

Name

KEY PROPERTY STRING

The Name property is a string representing the inherited name that serves as a key of a logical file instance within a file system. Full path names should be provided.

Example: C:\Windows\system\win.ini

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name

Path

STRING

Path of the file including the leading and trailing backslashes.

Example: “\windows\system"

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Path

Readable

BOOLEAN

If True, the file can be read.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Readable

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_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Status

System

BOOLEAN

If True, the file is a system file.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, System

Target

STRING

Name of the object that this is a shortcut to.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Target

Version

STRING

Version string from the version resource (if one is present).

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Version

Writeable

BOOLEAN

If True, the file can be written.

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | Select-Object -Property Name, Writeable

Examples

List all instances of Win32_ShortcutFile
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile

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

View all properties
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile -Property *
View key properties only
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile -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 = 'AccessMask',
              'Archive',
              'Caption',
              'Compressed',
              'CompressionMethod',
              'CreationClassName',
              'CreationDate',
              'CSCreationClassName',
              'CSName',
              'Description',
              'Drive',
              'EightDotThreeFileName',
              'Encrypted',
              'EncryptionMethod',
              'Extension',
              'FileName',
              'FileSize',
              'FileType',
              'FSCreationClassName',
              'FSName',
              'Hidden',
              'InstallDate',
              'InUseCount',
              'LastAccessed',
              'LastModified',
              'Manufacturer',
              'Name',
              'Path',
              'Readable',
              'Status',
              'System',
              'Target',
              'Version',
              'Writeable'
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile | 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_ShortcutFile -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_ShortcutFile -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 Description, Version, Extension, LastModified FROM Win32_ShortcutFile 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 Description, Version, Extension, LastModified FROM Win32_ShortcutFile WHERE Caption LIKE 'a%'" | Select-Object -Property Description, Version, Extension, LastModified

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

# authenticate with your current identity:
$result = Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ShortcutFile -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_ShortcutFile -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_ShortcutFile, 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_ShortcutFile was introduced on clients with Windows Vista and on servers with Windows Server 2008.

Namespace

Win32_ShortcutFile 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_ShortcutFile 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