Managing devices in a Windows environment is essential for maintaining system performance and ensuring that all hardware components function correctly. This article will guide you through the process of managing devices using both the Device Manager and command-line tools.

Device Manager

Device Manager is a built-in Windows tool that allows you to view and control the hardware attached to your computer. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open Device Manager:

   • Press Win + X and select "Device Manager" from the menu.
   • Alternatively, you can type devmgmt.msc in the Run dialog (Win + R) and press Enter.

2. View Devices:

   • In Device Manager, you will see a list of all hardware categories. Expand each category to view the devices under it.

3. Update Drivers:

   • Right-click on a device and select "Update driver".
   • Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" to let Windows find the latest driver.

4. Uninstall a Device:

   • Right-click on a device and select "Uninstall device".
   • Confirm the uninstallation and reboot your computer if necessary.

Command-Line Tools

For advanced users, managing devices via the command line can be more efficient. Below are some useful commands:

Using PowerShell

1. List All Devices:

   Get-PnpDevice

2. Get Detailed Information About a Specific Device:

   Get-PnpDevice -InstanceId "PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C22&SUBSYS_04AD1028&REV_05\3&11583659&0&FB"

3. Disable a Device:

   Disable-PnpDevice -InstanceId "PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C22&SUBSYS_04AD1028&REV_05\3&11583659&0&FB" -Confirm:$false

4. Enable a Device:

   Enable-PnpDevice -InstanceId "PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C22&SUBSYS_04AD1028&REV_05\3&11583659&0&FB" -Confirm:$false

Using Command Prompt (CMD)

1. List All Devices:

   driverquery

2. Get Detailed Information About a Specific Device:

   driverquery /V | findstr /C:"<device_name>"

3. Update a Device Driver:

   pnputil /add-driver <path_to_inf_file> /install

4. Uninstall a Device Driver:

   pnputil /delete-driver <oem#.inf> /uninstall /force

Conclusion

Managing devices in a Windows environment can be done efficiently using both the graphical interface of Device Manager and command-line tools like PowerShell and CMD. By understanding these methods, you can ensure that your hardware components are always in optimal working condition.