How to Open and Use Device Manager in Windows

Device Manager is the Windows console for viewing hardware, checking device status, and managing drivers. It can help diagnose a missing network adapter, malfunctioning USB device, audio failure, or other hardware problem—but changing the wrong driver or disabling a system device can make the problem worse.

Three quick ways to open Device Manager

Use the Power User menu

Press Windows + X, then select Device Manager. This is usually the fastest method in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Use Search

Open Start, type Device Manager, and select the matching result.

Use the Run command

Press Windows + R, enter devmgmt.msc, and press Enter. The same command works from Command Prompt, PowerShell, Task Manager's Run new task dialog, and File Explorer's address bar.

You can also find Device Manager in Computer Management > System Tools or Control Panel. Extra methods add little value unless normal Windows navigation is unavailable.

Understand what the window shows

Hardware is grouped into categories such as Display adapters, Network adapters, Bluetooth, Disk drives, and Sound, video and game controllers. Expand a category to see its devices. The View menu can show hidden devices or reorganize the list by connection.

• A yellow warning symbol indicates a reported problem.
• A down-arrow icon means the device is disabled.
• No icon does not guarantee that hardware is healthy; intermittent and physical faults may not appear here.

Check a device and its error code

1. Double-click the device.
2. Read Device status on the General tab.
3. If an error code appears, record the full message.
4. Open the Driver tab to see the provider, date, and version.

The error code guides the next step. For example, a missing driver, a device that cannot start, and a device Windows has stopped require different checks.

Update, roll back, or reinstall a driver

Right-clicking a device exposes several actions:

• Update driver: asks Windows to search locally or lets you select a downloaded package. Windows Update and the hardware maker's official support site are often better sources.
• Roll Back Driver: returns to the previous version when a recent update caused the problem.
• Uninstall device: removes the device entry so Windows can redetect it after a restart. Download a replacement first when removing a network, storage, or specialized driver.
• Disable device: stops the device without uninstalling it. Do not disable display, storage, keyboard, or system devices unless you understand the effect.

For a careful workflow, follow this Windows driver update guide. Avoid generic driver-updater utilities and unsigned packages.

Scan for hardware changes

After reconnecting hardware or uninstalling a device, choose Action > Scan for hardware changes. If the device still does not appear, test its cable, port, power, and—where possible—another computer. Device Manager cannot repair failed hardware.

Useful precautions

• Create a restore point before a major driver change.
• Match manually downloaded drivers to the exact PC or component model and Windows architecture.
• Do not delete unknown devices merely to clean up the list.
• Firmware updates are different from ordinary drivers; follow the manufacturer's instructions and maintain reliable power.

If a device error is accompanied by crashes, record the stop code and use this Windows blue-screen troubleshooting guide.