How to open Windows Device Manager

Below are the steps for entering the Device Manager in each of the major versions of Windows. Click on one of the links below to link directly to the steps for that version of Windows or browse through them all.

Tip: Press the shortcut key Windows key and the Pause key at the same time to open Device Manager or System information to get into the Device Manager.

How to open the Device Manager in Windows 10

1. Press the Windows key + X or right-click on Start to open the Power User Menu.
2. Select Device Manager in the menu. You should see something similar to the example below.

Note: In the search bar you can also type device manager and click Device Manager to open the Windows Device Manager.

Once in Device Manager, you can start identifying problems in Windows Device Manager.

How to open the Device Manager in Windows 8

1. From the Windows Start Screen, type device manager. Or on the desktop screen, you can press the Windows key + C key on your keyboard to open the Charms menu.
2. Click Settings and then click the Device Manager icon. You should see something similar to the example below.

Note: In Windows 8.1, you can also access the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Windows button (the Start button) in the lower left corner of the desktop screen. In the menu that opens, click Device Manager.

Once in Device manager, you can start identifying problems in Windows Device Manager.

How to open the Device Manager in Windows Vista and 7

1. Click on the Start Orb.
2. In the Start Menu Search box, type device manager and then press Enter. You should see something similar to the example below.

Once in Device manager you can start identifying problems in Windows Device Manager.

How to open the Device Manager in Windows 2003

1. Open the Administrative Tools in Control Panel.
2. In the Administrative Tools, click Computer Management.

Once in Device manager you can start identifying problems in Windows Device Manager.

Open the Device Manager in Microsoft Windows XP and 2000

1. On the desktop or in the Start Menu, right-click on My Computer and select Properties.
2. In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.
3. On the Hardware tab, click the Device Manager button.

or

1. Open the Control Panel
2. In the Control Panel, double-click the Systems icon.
3. In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.
4. On the Hardware tab, click the Device Manager button and you should see something similar to the example below.

Once in Device manager you can start identifying problems in Windows Device Manager.

Open the Device Manager in Windows 95, 98, 98 SE, and ME

1. On the desktop, right-click on My Computer and select Properties
2. Click the Device Manager tab.

or

1. Open the Control Panel
2. In the Control Panel, double-click the Systems icon.
3. Click the Device Manager tab and you should see something similar to the example below.

Once in Device manager you can start identifying problems in Windows Device Manager.

Microsoft Windows NT 3.x and Windows 3.x users

These versions of Windows do not have a Device Manager feature.