How to Open Device Manager

Find Device Manager by searching for it, opening it through Control Panel, or executing the devmgmt.msc command

What to Know

  • Search for Device Manager from the search bar.
  • Locate it from the Hardware and Sound area of Control Panel in W11/10/8.
  • Execute devmgmt.msc from the Run box or Command Prompt.

This article explains how to get to Device Manager in Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP, plus when you'd want to use it.

How to Open Device Manager via Control Panel

It 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.

See Other Ways to Open Device Manager towards the bottom of the page for some other, arguably faster methods in at least some versions of Windows.

  1. Open Control Panel. In newer Windows versions, you can search for it from the search utility on the taskbar.

    Control Panel search results in Windows 11

    Depending on your version of Windows, Control Panel is also available from the Start menu or Apps screen, sometimes within a submenu called Control Panel.

    Control Panel menu item in Start Menu for Windows 10
  2. What you do next depends on what Windows operating system you're using:

    • In Windows 11, 10 and 8, select Hardware and Sound.
    • 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.

    Hardware and Sound icon in Control Panel in Windows 11
  3. From this Control Panel screen, look for and choose Device Manager:

    In Windows 11, 10 and 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.

    Device Manager link in Windows 11's Hardware and Sound Control Panel

    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.

    System Properties in Windows XP
    System Properties in Windows XP.

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 using a keyboard and mouse in Windows 8 or newer (in some versions), the fastest way to get to Device Manager is through the Power User Menu—just press the WIN (Windows) key and the X key together to see it listed in that menu.

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

devmgmt.msc
Command Prompt with devmgmt.msc command highlighted

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 it 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 (Windows 11 calls it Windows 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 method that works 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 access it.

What Device Manager Is Used For

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 this utility before you can do any of it.

FAQ
  • How do I run Device Manager as an administrator?

    The easiest way to run as an admin is to create a desktop shortcut by right-clicking empty space on your desktop and selecting New > Shortcut. Next, enter devmgmt.msc and select Next > name your shortcut > Finish. Now, right-click the shortcut and select Run as Administrator.

  • Where is the Device Manager on Macs?

    For an application like Device Manager, use System Information on macOS Lion or later. To get there, go to Go > Utilities > System Information. Alternatively, go to the Apple Menu > About This Mac > More Info > System Report.

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