Skip to main content
  • Place orders quickly and easily
  • View orders and track your shipping status
  • Enjoy members-only rewards and discounts
  • Create and access a list of your products
Some article numbers may have changed. If this isn't what you're looking for, try searching all articles. Search articles

How to Access Device Manager

Summary: Information about accessing Device Manager in Windows Operating Systems (OS).

This article applies to   This article does not apply to 

Symptoms

No symptom information.

Cause

No cause information.

Resolution

Device Manager Background

Device Manager is a Control Panel applet in Microsoft Windows that you can use to view and control the hardware that is attached to the computer. If drivers are not installed correctly, the device may not appear on the Device Manager list. Problems with drivers can also be highlighted in Device Manager.

Note: There are many methods to access the Device Manager, but this article lists the simplest methods.

Run Box Method

The following method should work with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.

  1. To open Device Manager. Press the Windows logo key and the R key simultaneously. This should open a Run Box (Figure 1).
    Windows Run Box
    Figure 1  
  2. Type: devmgmt.msc
  3. Click OK or press the Enter key.
  4. Device Manager opens (Figure 2).
    Windows Device Manager
    Figure 2 

Back to Top


Command Prompt Method

If your keyboard does not have a Windows Logo Key. Using the Command Prompt is an alternate method.

  1. Click the Start Menu or the Search Bar (Figure 3 & 4).
    Windows Start Menu
    Figure 3

    Windows Search Bar
    Figure 4 
  2. Type CMD and this should bring up a Command Prompt (Figure 5).
    Windows Command Prompt
    Figure 5 
  3. Type devmgmt.msc
  4. Press the Enter key.
  5. Device Manager opens (Figure 6).
    Windows Device Manager
    Figure 6 

If you have further questions about this article, contact Dell Technical Support.

Back to Top

Affected Products

Chromebox, Alienware, Inspiron, Legacy Desktop Models, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series, Chromebook, G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Legacy Laptop Models, Fixed Workstations, Mobile Workstations