In the world of Windows systems, hidden devices can pose a significant challenge for system engineers. These devices, also known as ghost devices, are hardware components that are no longer connected to the system but still have their drivers installed. They can cause issues such as driver conflicts, system instability, and performance degradation. Therefore, it is crucial for system engineers to be able to identify and remove these hidden devices to ensure a smooth and efficient operation of the Windows environment.

Examples:

1. Using Device Manager:

   • Open Device Manager by pressing Windows + X and selecting Device Manager from the menu.
   • Click on the View tab and select "Show hidden devices" to reveal the hidden devices.
   • Expand the different categories to identify any devices with grayed-out icons, indicating they are hidden.
   • Right-click on the hidden device and select Uninstall to remove it from the system.

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2. Using Command Prompt:

   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
   • Type the following command to list all devices, including hidden ones:

     set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
     devmgmt.msc

   • Device Manager will open with the option to show hidden devices enabled.
   • Follow the same steps as in the previous example to identify and uninstall hidden devices.

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3. Using PowerShell:

   • Open PowerShell as an administrator.
   • Type the following command to list all devices, including hidden ones:

     Get-PnpDevice -PresentOnly:$false

   • This command will display a list of all devices, including hidden ones.
   • Use the appropriate PowerShell cmdlets, such as Remove-PnpDevice, to uninstall the hidden devices.

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