15 ways to open Device Manager in Windows 10

Device Manager is a useful tool that allows you to do things like: find unknown hardware devices, update drivers, disable hardware components from inside the computer, etc.

To use it, you must first know how to open this tool. 

1. Open Device Manager using Windows 10 Search

One of the fastest ways to run Device Manager in Windows 10 is to use the search box near the Start button. In there, type "device" or "device manager" and click or tap the appropriate search result.

2. Start Device Manager using Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell

If you prefer the command line environment, first open Command Prompt (also known as CMD) or PowerShell. Then, in the PowerShell or Command Prompt window, enter one of these three commands and press Enter: devmgmt.msc, mmc devmgmt.msc or control hdwwiz.cpl .

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All of these Device Manager commands work the same.

3. Launch Device Manager using the Run command

Open the Run window (press Win+ Ron the keyboard at the same time), then enter one of the following three commands in the Open field : devmgmt.msc, mmc devmgmt.msc or control hdwwiz.cpl .

Tap Enteror click or tap OK , and Device Manager will open immediately.

4. Open Device Manager using the WinX menu

Open the WinX menu by simultaneously pressing the Win+ keys Xon the keyboard. Alternatively, you can also right-click the Start button to get the same result. Then, click or tap the Device Manager shortcut.

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5. Run Device Manager from the Devices and Printers section of Control Panel

If you like the old-fashioned Control Panel, open it and navigate to the Hardware and Sound settings category . Then, click on the Device Manager link found under Devices and Printers .

6. Open Device Manager from Control Panel using icon view

There is also another method to access Device Manager using Control Panel. After you open Control Panel, click View by Category in the upper right corner.

In the menu that opens, select Large icons or Small icons, depending on what you like.

You will be shown a list of shortcuts and one of them is Device Manager . Click on it.

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7. Open Device Manager from Computer Management

You can access Device Manager from within another Windows 10 tool, called Computer Management . Open Computer Management and in the navigation panel on the left, select Computer Management > System Tools > Device Manager .

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8. Launch Device Manager using Cortana

If you have Cortana enabled, you can ask the virtual assistant to open Device Manager directly for you. Click this tool's button from the taskbar or say " Hey Cortana ", then use your voice to request " Open Device Manager ".

9. Open Device Manager from This PC

The final method is to use This PC. Open File Explorer and on the navigation panel from the left, right-click (or press and hold) on This PC . Then, click Manage in the context menu that appears.

That action will open Computer Management. All you have to do next is select Device Manager on the left side of the window.

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10. Use Quick Access Menu

Quick Access Menu can also help you access Device Manager easily. Here's how you can use this feature:

1. Press Win + X or right-click the Windows icon to open Quick Access Menu .
2. Select Device Manager from the menu items.

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11. Use File Explorer's address bar

You can access countless Windows applications via File Explorer's address bar. Here's how you can use this feature to open Device Manager:

1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
2. Enter devmgmt.msc in the address bar and press Enter to open Device Manager.

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12. Use Task Manager

Task Manager helps you analyze processes and system performance. It also helps you put an end to applications that slow down your PC. What's interesting is that this tool can also help you access some Windows applications easily.

Here's how you can access Device Manager using Task Manager:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click the File tab in the upper left corner and select Run new task .
3. Enter devmgmt.msc in the search box and click OK to open Device Manager.

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13. Use System Settings

System Settings are not only useful when you want to fix problems on your Windows device. You can also use the settings window to launch various software programs.

Here's how you can open Device Manager with system settings:

1. Press Win + I to open system settings.
2. Type Device Manager in the search box and tap on the relevant option that appears.

14. Go through the System32 folder

You can also access Device Manager by navigating to a relevant path in Local Disk (C:) . Let's see how you can do this:

1. Type This PC in the Start menu search bar and select the most relevant result.
2. Click Local Disk (C:) on the right side and navigate to Windows > > en-US .
3. Scroll down and click on devmgmt option to launch Device Manager.

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15. Create a desktop shortcut for Device Manager

You can always access most Windows applications with desktop shortcuts. All you need to do is create these application shortcuts and pin them to the taskbar for easy access.

Let's see how you can create a desktop shortcut for Device Manager:

Step 1 : Press Win + D to access the desktop.

Step 2 : Right-click an empty space on the desktop and navigate to New > Shortcut .

Step 3 : Enter %windir%system32devmgmt in the location box and click Next to continue.

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In the next window, enter Device Manager or choose any other suitable name for the shortcut you just created, then click Finish.

Now, you can pin the Device Manager shortcut to the taskbar for easy access. To do this, right-click on the shortcut and select Pin to taskbar . From now on, you will be able to quickly access the Device Manager tool by clicking its shortcut on the taskbar.

Device Manager comes in handy when you encounter various hardware-related problems. It provides an easy way to manage Bluetooth devices, keyboards, USB devices, etc. If you want to easily access this feature, just check out the tips mentioned in the article.

Jessica Tanner

Update 10 July 2024