'Execute a WQL query and return its raw results.  Use the flags
recommended by Microsoft to achieve a read-only, semi-synchronous
query where the time is taken while looping through.
NB Backslashes need to be doubled up.'

def _raw_query(self, wql):

    flags = (wbemFlagReturnImmediately | wbemFlagForwardOnly)
    wql = wql.replace('\\', '\\\\')
    try:
        return self._namespace.ExecQuery(strQuery=wql, iFlags=flags)
    except pywintypes.com_error:
        handle_com_error()
