How to Open Device Manager in Windows 10

Device Manager is a tool provided in every version of Windows, its main purpose is to identify all the connected devices. It allows the user to perform managerial tasks related to hardware drivers. You can use it to install/uninstall device driver, you can also add a hardware device, and enable/disable a device. The Device Manager can also be used to view vital information about all the known connected devices.

Device Manager

How can the Device Manager be Accessed?

There are a number of ways you can access the Device Manager, here are the most common ones.

• Through the start search: You can easily open the Device Manager through the search bar located under the start menu.
• Through the Quick Access menu: You can also access the Device Manager through the right-click menu.
• By the Run dialog box: The Run dialog box also allows the user to open the Device Manager.
• Through the Command Prompt: The command prompt also enables the user to run the Device Manager tool.
• Through the system properties: The system properties have a shortcut that leads to the Device Manager’s menu.
• By the Manage menu: The manage menu can also be used to open the Device Manager.
• Inside the Control panel: you can also open the Device Manager by accessing the control panel.
• Through the Windows PowerShell: You can also use the Windows PowerShell to open the Device Manager.

Method 1: Opening the Device Manager through the Start menu search

You can easily use the Start menu search to open the Device Manager.

1. 1. Open the Start menu by clicking on the Start button on the lower-left corner.
   2. Now Type device manager into the search bar and press Enter, if there is no search bar then just start typing and the bar will appear. This will open the Device Manager tool. Search for the Device Manager

Method 2: Accessing the Device Manager through the Quick Access Menu

This is the only method that will allow you to open Device Manager with elevated administrative privileges.

1. 1. To open the Quick Access menu on your Windows, you could either right-click on the Start button or you could press Windows + X
   2. Now Hold the Shift + Ctrl keys and click on Device Manager to open it with administrative privileges. Opening the Device Manager through the Quick Access menu

Method 3: Opening the Device Manager through the Run dialog box

The Run dialog box could also be used to open different directories and different applications. Same can be done for the device manager.

1. 1. On your keyboard, press Windows + R keys and then type devmgmt.msc and then press Enter. This will launch the device manager. Opening Device Manager through the Run dialog box

Method 4: Accessing the Device Manager through the Command Prompt

CMD also has the ability to open the Device Manager.

1. On your keyboard, press Windows + R keys and then type CMD and press the Enter This will open the Command Prompt. Opening CMD through the Run dialog box
2. Once the Command Prompt is on the screen, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open the Device Manager. Type devmgmt.msc in CMD

Method 5: Opening the Device Manager through the System Properties

1. 1. Open the Start Menu, and type This PC, then press the Enter key to open it.
   2. Now right-click anywhere and then click on the Properties button to open the properties of the system.
   3. Now find the Device Manager option which is located in the left panel of the system properties. Click on it to open the Device Manager tool. Opening Device Manager through the system properties

Method 6: Accessing the Device Manager by the Manage menu

The manage menu can easily provide access to the Device Manager.

1. Right-click on This PC shortcut on your desktop. Now click on Manage.
2. Now find and click on the Device Manager button located in the left panel. This will open the Device Manager. Opening Device Manager through the Computer Management

Method 7: Using the Control Panel to access the Device Manager

You can also access the Device Manager through the Control Panel.

1. Open the Start menu by clicking on the Start button and then type control panel, then press Enter key to open it.
2. Now once the control panel is opened, click on the Hardware and Sound menu.
3. Now click on the Device Manager option under the Devices and Printers This will give you access to the Device Manager.

Select Device Manager

Method 8: Access the Device Manager by using the Windows PowerShell

When all other options are not working then the last resort is to use the Windows PowerShell application to open the Device Manager, this is how to get it done.

1. Right Click on the Start button and then click on the Windows PowerShell button through the quick access menu. Open PowerShell through the Quick Access menu
2. Once the PowerShell window is on the screen, type devmgmt.msc and then press Enter to open the Device Manager. Type devmgmt.msc in the PowerShell

How to open Windows Device Manager

Below are the steps for entering the Device Manager in each of the major versions of Windows. Select a link below for the version of Windows on your computer and follow the instructions.

Press the shortcut key Windows key and Pause key at the same time to open the Device Manager.

How to open the Device Manager in Windows 10

1. Press the Windows key + X or right-click Start to open the Power User Menu.
2. Select Device Manager in the menu. In Device Manager, you see something similar to the example below.

In the Windows search box, you can type device manager and click Device Manager in the search results to open the Device Manager.

Once in the Device Manager, you can start identifying problems in Windows Device Manager.

How to open the Device Manager in Windows 8

1. Access the Windows Start screen.
2. Type device manager and press Enter .

1. Access the Windows desktop.
2. Press the Windows key + C key on the keyboard to open the Charms menu.
3. Click Settings, then click the Device Manager icon. In Device Manager, you see something similar to the example below.

In Windows 8.1, you can also access the Device Manager by pressing the Windows key + X key to open the Power User Tasks Menu. In the menu that opens, select Device Manager.

Once in the Device Manager, you can start identifying problems in Windows Device Manager.

How to open the Device Manager in Windows Vista and 7

1. Click Start.
2. In the Start menu search box, type device manager and press Enter . In Device Manager, you’ll see something similar to the example below.

Once in the Device Manager, you can start identifying problems in Windows Device Manager.

How to open the Device Manager in Windows 2003

1. Open the Administrative Tools from the Control Panel.
2. In the Administrative Tools, click Computer Management.

Once in the Device Manager, you can start identifying problems in Windows Device Manager.

How to open the Device Manager in Microsoft Windows XP and 2000

1. On the desktop or in the Start menu, right-clickMy Computer, and select Properties.
2. In the System Properties window, click the Hardwaretab.
3. On the Hardware tab, click the Device Manager button.

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, double-click the Systems icon.
3. In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.
4. On the Hardware tab, click the Device Manager button and you see something similar to the example below.

Once in the Device Manager, you can start identifying problems in Windows Device Manager.

Open the Device Manager in Windows 95, 98, 98 SE, and ME

1. On the desktop, right-clickMy Computer and select Properties.
2. Click the Device Manager tab.

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, double-click the Systems icon.
3. Click the Device Managertab and you see something similar to the example below.

Once in the Device Manager, you can start identifying problems in Windows Device Manager.

Microsoft Windows NT 3.x and Windows 3.x users

These versions of Windows do not have a Device Manager feature.

How to Open Device Manager

Here’s where to find Device Manager in Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, or XP

There are plenty of reasons you might need to open Device Manager in Windows but usually, it’s to troubleshoot some kind of problem with your computer’s hardware.

It doesn’t matter if you’re updating device drivers, adjusting system resources, finding Device Manager error codes, or even just checking in on a device’s status—you’ll need to open Device Manager before you can do any of it.

Device Manager isn’t listed next to your regular programs, so it can be difficult to find if you don’t already know where it is. The Control Panel method is probably the most straightforward way to get there, but we go over all your options below.

Follow the easy steps below to open Device Manager in Windows:

Instructions in this article apply to Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.

Time Required: Opening Device Manager should only take a minute or so, no matter which version of Windows you’re using. See Other Ways to Open Device Manager towards the bottom of the page for some other, arguably faster ways in at least some versions of Windows.

How to Open Device Manager via Control Panel

In Windows 10 and Windows 8, assuming you’re using a keyboard or mouse, the fastest way is through the Power User Menu—just press the WIN (Windows) key and the X key together.

In some versions of Windows 10, you may also be able to open Device Manager directly from the Start menu, as a submenu under Control Panel.

Depending on your version of Windows, Control Panel is usually available from the Start menu or Apps screen.

What you do next depends on what Windows operating system you’re using:

• In Windows 10 and Windows 8, select Hardware and Sound. You could also jump right to Device Manager through the Power User Menu and not have to go through Control Panel.
• In Windows 7, choose System and Security.
• In Windows Vista, select System and Maintenance.
• In Windows XP, pick Performance and Maintenance.

If you don’t see these options, your Control Panel view may be set to Large icons, Small icons, or Classic View, depending on your version of Windows. If so, find and choose Device Manager from the big collection of icons you see and then skip to Step 4 below.

From this Control Panel screen, look for and choose Device Manager:

In Windows 10 and Windows 8, check under the Devices and Printers heading. In Windows 7, look under System. In Windows Vista, you’ll find Device Manager towards the bottom of the window.

In Windows XP, you have a few extra steps since Device Manager isn’t as easily available in your version of Windows. From the open Control Panel window, select System, choose the Hardware tab, and then use the Device Manager button.

With Device Manager now open, you can view a device’s status, update the device drivers, enable devices, disable devices, or do whatever other hardware management you came here to do.

Other Ways to Open Device Manager

If you’re comfortable with the command-line in Windows, specifically Command Prompt, one really quick way to start Device Manager in any version of Windows is via its command:

The command-line method really comes in handy when you need to bring up Device Manager but your mouse won’t work or your computer is having a problem that prevents you from using it normally.

While you probably won’t ever need to open Device Manager this way, you should know that it’s also available in all versions of Windows via Computer Management, part of the suite of built-in utilities called Administrative Tools.

Device Manager takes on a slightly different look in Computer Management. Just select it from the left margin and then use it as an integrated feature of the utility on the right.

Another way to open Device Manager, at least in Windows 7, is through GodMode. This is a special folder that gives you access to tons of settings and controls found throughout the operating system. If you already use GodMode, opening Device Manager there might be your preferred way to use it.