How to Open Device Manager in Windows 11

The quickest way to open Device Manager in Windows 11 is to right-click the Start button (or press Windows + X) and select Device Manager. If your mouse isn’t working, press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.

Device Manager lists devices recognized by Windows and is where you update, roll back, disable, or reinstall drivers. These steps work in Windows 11 Home and Pro, and in Windows 10. Anyone can open it and look, but changing a driver needs an administrator account.

A standard desktop power supply usually does not appear here with a model or wattage readout. To identify that hardware, see how to check your PC’s power supply using its label or exact configuration record.

Method 1: From the Start Button Menu

1. Right-click the Start button, or press Windows + X.
2. Select Device Manager. Expected result: the Device Manager window opens with your computer’s name at the top and hardware grouped into categories below it.

With the keyboard, press Windows + X, then press M to jump straight to Device Manager.

Method 2: With the Run Command (Keyboard Only)

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
2. Type devmgmt.msc.
3. Press Enter or select OK.

Use this method when the mouse or touchpad isn’t working, since you never need to click. If the cursor has vanished on a laptop, try getting your cursor back first. The same devmgmt.msc command works in Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Terminal.

Method 3: From Search

1. Select Start (or press the Windows key) and type device manager.
2. Select Device Manager in the results, or press Enter.

This is the method in Microsoft’s Open Device Manager page. You can also type “Device Manager” into the search box in Settings.

Method 4: Open Device Manager as Administrator

On a standard account, Device Manager opens read-only, so you can’t change drivers. To run it with admin rights:

1. Press Windows + R and type devmgmt.msc.
2. Hold Ctrl + Shift and press Enter.
3. Enter an administrator’s password or select Yes in the User Account Control prompt.

In Windows 10, holding Ctrl + Shift while clicking Device Manager in the Windows + X menu also elevated it. A Microsoft Q&A thread reports this no longer works in Windows 11, so use the Run box instead.

Other Ways to Open It

• Control Panel: open Control Panel, select Hardware and Sound, then Device Manager under Devices and Printers.
• Computer Management: right-click Start, select Computer Management, then Device Manager in the left pane. This view also has Disk Management and Event Viewer. Computer Management is one of the shortcuts in the Windows Tools (Administrative Tools) folder.
• Task Manager: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select Run new task, type devmgmt.msc, and check Create this task with administrative privileges if you need admin rights.
• File Explorer: type devmgmt.msc in the address bar and press Enter.
• Desktop shortcut: right-click the desktop, choose New > Shortcut, enter devmgmt.msc, and name it Device Manager.

What You Can Do in Device Manager

Hardware is grouped by type, such as Audio inputs and outputs, Bluetooth, Display adapters, and Network adapters. Select the arrow next to a group to see its devices, then right-click a device:

Option	What it does
Update driver	Finds a newer driver, or installs one you downloaded. Try it when a device stops working after new hardware or an update.
Roll Back Driver	In Properties > Driver. Returns to the previous driver when an update caused problems.
Disable device	Turns the device off without removing it.
Uninstall device	Removes the device and its driver. Windows usually reinstalls it after a restart, which fixes many stuck drivers.
Properties	Shows the device status, driver version, and driver date.

Two menu options are also worth knowing. Action > Scan for hardware changes makes Windows look again for devices it missed, and View > Show hidden devices reveals devices that aren’t connected right now. For a full walkthrough with one device type, see how to install an audio driver in Windows 11.

Change how devices are listed

The View menu switches between Devices by type (the default), Devices by connection, which shows what’s plugged into what (handy for USB hubs and docks), and resource views that IT staff use to spot conflicts.

What the Icons Mean

• Yellow triangle with an exclamation point: Windows found a problem. Right-click the device, select Properties, and read the Device status box on the General tab for an error code. Microsoft lists the codes and fixes.
• Down arrow: the device is disabled. Right-click it and choose Enable device.
• Other devices / Unknown device: Windows has no driver for it. Get the driver from your PC or device maker’s support site, or run Windows Update.

Troubleshooting

Device Manager won’t open or shows a “restrictions” message

A message that the operation was cancelled due to restrictions on this computer means a policy blocks it. On a work or school PC, ask IT. On your own PC, try the Run box method with Ctrl + Shift + Enter, then run a malware scan, since some malware adds these restrictions. Editing policy keys in the registry is risky and best left to someone experienced.

I can’t find Device Manager in search

Use the Run box: Windows + R, then devmgmt.msc. That opens it directly even if search isn’t working.

A device is missing from the list

Select View > Show hidden devices, then Action > Scan for hardware changes. If it still isn’t listed, check the cable or connection, or see how to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 11 for wireless devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shortcut for Device Manager?

There’s no single key combination, but Windows + X followed by M opens it in two keystrokes. Windows + R, then devmgmt.msc, works everywhere.

Do I need to be an administrator?

You can open Device Manager and view devices with a standard account, but updating, disabling, or uninstalling drivers requires administrator rights.

Is there an easier fix than changing drivers?

Try Windows’ built-in fixes first. See how to run a troubleshooter in Windows 11, or browse our driver guides.