Introduction to Device Manager
Device Manager provides you with a graphical view of the hardware that is installed on your computer. All devices communicate with Windows through a piece of software called a device driver. You can use Device Manager to install and update the drivers for your hardware devices, modify hardware settings for those devices, and troubleshoot problems. You will typically use Device Manager to check the status of your hardware and update device drivers on your computer.
Using the Windows interface
The following procedure allows you to open Device Manager through the Windows user interface.
To open Device Manager by using the Windows interface:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Hardware and Sound.
3. Click Device Manager.
Using a command line
The following procedure allows you to open Device Manager from any command prompt.
To open Device Manager by using the command line:
At a command prompt, in the Start Search box, or in the Run box, type the following command:
View the status of a device
The status of a device shows whether the device has drivers installed, and whether Windows is able to communicate with the device.
To view the status of a device:
1. Open Device Manager.
2. Double-click the type of device you want to view.
3. Right-click the device you want, and then click Properties.
4. On the General tab, the Device status area shows description of the current status.
Open the properties dialog box for the device, and use the following buttons on the Driver tab to perform maintenance tasks:
Update Driver:
This choice opens the Update Driver Software dialog box, which we describe in the next section.
Roll Back Driver:
This option uninstalls the most recently updated driver and rolls back your system configuration to the previously installed driver. This option is available from Safe Mode if you need to remove a driver that is causing blue-screen (Stop) errors. Unlike System Restore, this option affects only the selected device. If you have never updated the selected driver, this option is unavailable.
Uninstall:
This button completely removes driver files and registry settings for the selected device and, if you select the appropriate option, completely removes the associated driver files as well. Use this capability to remove a driver that you suspect was incorrectly installed and then reinstall the original driver or install an updated driver.
If you're having a hardware problem that you suspect is caused by a device driver, your first stop should be Device Manager.
If the device is experiencing a problem, the type of problem is displayed. You might also see a problem code and number and a suggested solution. You can also submit a Windows Error Report to Microsoft by clicking Check for solutions, if that button is present.
Types of icons
Disabled device
A disabled device has either been manually disabled by a user or by some way of error. In Windows 95 through XP, this is denoted by a red X. In Windows Vista and Windows 7, this was replaced by a grey downward pointing arrow in the lower right-hand corner of the device's icon.
Hardware not working properly
There are many reasons why hardware may not work properly. If Windows recognizes a problem with a device, it is denoted by a black exclamation point (!) on a yellow triangle in the lower right-hand corner of the device's icon.
Hardware not recognized
Hardware may not be recognized if it is not installed properly or not compatible with your system. This is denoted by a yellow question mark in place of the device's icon.
Device manually selected
A blue "i" on a white field in the lower right-hand corner of a Device's icon indicates that the Use automatic settings feature is not selected for the device and that the resource was manually selected. Note that this does not indicate a problem or disabled state.
Microsoft and third-party device manufacturers frequently issue upgrades to device drivers. In some cases, the updates enable new features; in other cases, the newer version swats a bug that might or might not affect you. Latest device driver can be found at computer or device manufacturers website. Kernel-mode drivers must still be digitally signed before they can be installed.
Using the Windows interface
The following procedure allows you to open Device Manager through the Windows user interface.
To open Device Manager by using the Windows interface:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Hardware and Sound.
3. Click Device Manager.
Using a command line
The following procedure allows you to open Device Manager from any command prompt.
To open Device Manager by using the command line:
At a command prompt, in the Start Search box, or in the Run box, type the following command:
Code:
devmgmt.mscView the status of a device
The status of a device shows whether the device has drivers installed, and whether Windows is able to communicate with the device.
To view the status of a device:
1. Open Device Manager.
2. Double-click the type of device you want to view.
3. Right-click the device you want, and then click Properties.
4. On the General tab, the Device status area shows description of the current status.
Open the properties dialog box for the device, and use the following buttons on the Driver tab to perform maintenance tasks:
Update Driver:
This choice opens the Update Driver Software dialog box, which we describe in the next section.
Roll Back Driver:
This option uninstalls the most recently updated driver and rolls back your system configuration to the previously installed driver. This option is available from Safe Mode if you need to remove a driver that is causing blue-screen (Stop) errors. Unlike System Restore, this option affects only the selected device. If you have never updated the selected driver, this option is unavailable.
Uninstall:
This button completely removes driver files and registry settings for the selected device and, if you select the appropriate option, completely removes the associated driver files as well. Use this capability to remove a driver that you suspect was incorrectly installed and then reinstall the original driver or install an updated driver.
If you're having a hardware problem that you suspect is caused by a device driver, your first stop should be Device Manager.
If the device is experiencing a problem, the type of problem is displayed. You might also see a problem code and number and a suggested solution. You can also submit a Windows Error Report to Microsoft by clicking Check for solutions, if that button is present.
Types of icons
Disabled device
A disabled device has either been manually disabled by a user or by some way of error. In Windows 95 through XP, this is denoted by a red X. In Windows Vista and Windows 7, this was replaced by a grey downward pointing arrow in the lower right-hand corner of the device's icon.
Hardware not working properly
There are many reasons why hardware may not work properly. If Windows recognizes a problem with a device, it is denoted by a black exclamation point (!) on a yellow triangle in the lower right-hand corner of the device's icon.
Hardware not recognized
Hardware may not be recognized if it is not installed properly or not compatible with your system. This is denoted by a yellow question mark in place of the device's icon.
Device manually selected
A blue "i" on a white field in the lower right-hand corner of a Device's icon indicates that the Use automatic settings feature is not selected for the device and that the resource was manually selected. Note that this does not indicate a problem or disabled state.
Microsoft and third-party device manufacturers frequently issue upgrades to device drivers. In some cases, the updates enable new features; in other cases, the newer version swats a bug that might or might not affect you. Latest device driver can be found at computer or device manufacturers website. Kernel-mode drivers must still be digitally signed before they can be installed.