In the Windows operating system, the PNPDeviceID (Plug and Play Device Identifier) is a unique identifier assigned to each hardware device connected to the system. This identifier is crucial for managing and troubleshooting hardware devices. In this article, we will explore how to retrieve the PNPDeviceID using both PowerShell and Command Prompt (CMD).

Using PowerShell to Retrieve PNPDeviceID

PowerShell is a powerful scripting language and command-line shell designed for system administration. Here’s how you can use it to retrieve the PNPDeviceID:

Example 1: Retrieve PNPDeviceID for All Devices

Get-WmiObject Win32_PnPEntity | Select-Object Name, PNPDeviceID

This command uses the Get-WmiObject cmdlet to query the Win32_PnPEntity class, which contains information about all Plug and Play devices. The Select-Object cmdlet is then used to display only the Name and PNPDeviceID properties.

Example 2: Retrieve PNPDeviceID for a Specific Device

$deviceName = "YourDeviceName"
Get-WmiObject Win32_PnPEntity | Where-Object { $_.Name -like "*$deviceName*" } | Select-Object Name, PNPDeviceID

Replace "YourDeviceName" with the name of the device you are interested in. This script filters the devices to find the one matching the specified name and then displays its Name and PNPDeviceID.

Using CMD to Retrieve PNPDeviceID

The Command Prompt can also be used to retrieve the PNPDeviceID, although it is less powerful and flexible compared to PowerShell.

Example 1: Retrieve PNPDeviceID Using WMIC

wmic path Win32_PnPEntity get Name, PNPDeviceID

This command uses the wmic (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line) tool to query the Win32_PnPEntity class and display the Name and PNPDeviceID properties of all devices.

Example 2: Retrieve PNPDeviceID for a Specific Device

wmic path Win32_PnPEntity where "Name like '%YourDeviceName%'" get Name, PNPDeviceID

Replace "YourDeviceName" with the name of the device you are interested in. This command filters the devices to find the one matching the specified name and then displays its Name and PNPDeviceID.

Conclusion

Retrieving the PNPDeviceID in Windows is a straightforward process using either PowerShell or CMD. PowerShell provides a more flexible and powerful approach, while CMD offers a simpler, albeit less versatile, method. Understanding how to retrieve and use the PNPDeviceID can greatly assist in managing and troubleshooting hardware devices on your Windows system.