---
description: WMF is a prerequisite for Windows PowerShell. This article shows the history of WMF versions and provides information about how to find and install WMF.
ms.date: 03/27/2025
ms.topic: overview
title: Windows Management Framework (WMF)
---

# Windows Management Framework

Windows Management Framework (WMF) provides a consistent management interface for Windows. WMF
provides a seamless way to manage various versions of Windows client and Windows Server. WMF
installer packages contain updates to management functionality and are available for older versions
of Windows.

> [!NOTE]
> WMF 5.1 is the only supported version of WMF and is included in all currently supported versions
> of Windows. This information in this article provides a history of WMF versions.

WMF installation adds and/or updates the following features:

- Windows PowerShell
- Windows PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC)
- Windows PowerShell Integrated Script Environment (ISE)
- Windows Remote Management (WinRM)
- Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)
- Windows PowerShell Web Services (Management OData IIS Extension)
- Software Inventory Logging (SIL)
- Server Manager CIM Provider

## WMF Release Notes

To learn about the enhancements in Windows PowerShell and other components, see the release notes
for each version of WMF:

- [WMF 5.1][08]
- [WMF 5.0][07]

## WMF availability across Windows operating systems

|         OS Version         |     End of Support     |      WMF 5.1      | WMF 5.0  | WMF 4.0  | WMF 3.0  | WMF 2.0  |
| -------------------------- | ---------------------- | ----------------- | -------- | -------- | -------- | -------- |
| Windows Server 2022        | [2031-10-14][04]       | Included          |          |          |          |          |
| Windows Server 2019        | [2029-01-09][04]       | Included          |          |          |          |          |
| Windows Server 2016        | [2027-01-11][04]       | Included          |          |          |          |          |
| Windows 11                 | [2025-10-14][03]       | Included          |          |          |          |          |
| Windows 10                 | [2025-10-14][03]       | Included in 1607+ | Included |          |          |          |
| Windows Server 2012 R2     | [_Out of support_][02] | [Yes][05]         | Yes      | Included |          |          |
| Windows 8.1                | [_Out of support_][02] | [Yes][05]         | Yes      | Included |          |          |
| Windows Server 2012        | [_Out of support_][02] | [Yes][05]         | Yes      | Yes      | Included |          |
| Windows 8                  | [_Out of support_][01] |                   |          |          | Included |          |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 | [_Out of support_][01] | [Yes][05]         | Yes      | Yes      | Yes      | Included |
| Windows 7 SP1              | [_Out of support_][01] | [Yes][05]         | Yes      | Yes      | Yes      | Included |
| Windows Server 2008 SP2    | [_Out of support_][01] |                   |          |          | Yes      | Yes      |
| Windows Vista              | [_Out of support_][01] |                   |          |          |          | Yes      |
| Windows Server 2003        | [_Out of support_][01] |                   |          |          |          | Yes      |
| Windows XP                 | [_Out of support_][01] |                   |          |          | Yes      | Yes      |

- **Included**: The features of the specified version of WMF were shipped in the indicated version
  of Windows client or Windows Server.
- **Out of support**: Microsoft no longer supports these products. You must upgrade to a supported
  version. For more information, see the [Microsoft Lifecycle Policy][06] page.

> [!NOTE]
> The version of WMF that shipped in an operating system is supported for the lifetime of support
> for that version of the operating system. The standalone installers for WMF 5.0 and older are no
> longer available or supported.

<!-- link refs -->
[01]: /lifecycle/products/?products=windows
[02]: /windows/release-health/status-windows-8.1-and-windows-server-2012-r2
[03]: /windows/release-health/supported-versions-windows-client
[04]: /windows/release-health/windows-server-release-info
[05]: https://aka.ms/wmf51download
[06]: https://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle
[07]: /previous-versions/powershell/scripting/windows-powershell/wmf/whats-new/release-notes#wmf-50-changes
[08]: /previous-versions/powershell/scripting/windows-powershell/wmf/whats-new/release-notes#wmf-51-changes