How to Open Device Manager in Windows?

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.

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.

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.

      

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.

      

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.

      

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.

   

2. Once the Command Prompt is on the screen, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open the Device Manager.

   

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.

      

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.

   

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.

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.

   

2. Once the PowerShell window is on the screen, type devmgmt.msc and then press Enter to open the Device Manager.