This site has lots of cool tips and I love them all, thanks a lot.
If I can contribute some too?
Even after selecting "show hidden devices" there are some more devices which are still hidden. To show them:
Goto c:\windows\system32, find cmd.exe, right click and choose "run as administrator"
In the command window which opens, type:
Set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1 (press enter)
Devmgmt.msc (press enter)
In the device manager window which opens click View=>show hidden devices.
This is handy to remove all the superfluous entries such as keyboard, monitor, mouse, hard drive etc which have been redetected. Just rightclick and uninstall any devices which you are sure are not connected anymore.
Be careful not to remove any devices you're not sure about, some of them are meant to be hidden, are used by Windows, and will cause big troubles if removed. The main purpose of this is to remove multiple entries of devices which have been unplugged and then plugged back in to a different port, eg. Mouse, keyboard.
Device Manager - Hidden Devices
- 26 Jul 2007 #1
Device Manager - Hidden DevicesHow to See the Hidden Devices in Device Manager in Vista
Published by
26 Jul 2007Device Manager - Hidden Devices
How to See the Hidden Devices in Vista Device Manager
InformationJust like your files and folders, Vista has hidden devices in the Device Manager to. This will show you how to see them. They are Non-Plug and Play Drivers and Storage Volumes.
NoteYour listed hidden devices will vary.
Here's How:
1. Open the Control Panel. (Classic View)That's it,
2. Click on the Click to Play button in the video below.
NOTE: See the post by Stickywulf under this one for more hidden devices in the Device Manager.
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Enable Hidden Audio Devices in Vista
- How to make Ghost Devices and Drivers Visible in Device Manager
- How to Roll Back a Device Driver in Vista Device Manager
- How to Uninstall a Device and Device Driver in Vista
- How to Install a Device Driver in Vista Device Manager
- How to Enable or Disable the Device Manager MMC Snap-in
Published by
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007Location: Texas, USAPosts: 30,532ArrayTutorial Tools
Applies to
All Vista Versions 64 Bit & 32 Bit
- 22 Sep 2007 #1My System Specs
Re: Device Manager - Hidden Devices
Last edited by Stickywulf; 22 Sep 2007 at 04:54 PM.
- 22 Sep 2007 #2
Administrator 
Join Date : Apr 2007 Texas, USA Posts : 30,532 64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise Local Time: 01:55 AM
My System SpecsRe: Device Manager - Hidden Devices
Welcome to the forum Stickywulf,
I am glad you like them. Yes, please contribute as much as you like and feel free to create a tutorial to if you would like to.
Thank you,
Shawn
- 15 Jul 2008 #3
Senior Member
My System SpecsRe: Device Manager - Hidden Devices
Another way to do this which always makes devices not currently connected show up in pale grey when you click Show Hidden Devices:
Go to Control Panel, System, Advanced System Settings, Environment Variables, New ( user variables if just for you or system variables for all users of your computer ). In the Variable Name box type devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices and in the Variable Value type 1. Then you need to OK it twice.
This saves you having to do the command prompt everytime.
Love the site and thanks to all who contribute. SIW2
- 15 Jul 2008 #4
Administrator
Join Date : Apr 2007 Texas, USA Posts : 30,532 64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise Local Time: 01:55 AM
My System SpecsRe: Device Manager - Hidden Devices
Thank you SIW2.
Shawn
- 16 Jul 2008 #5My System Specs
Re: Device Manager - Hidden Devices
You can even streamline that a little more:
Right click My Computer and click Properties - - Advanced System Settings - - Advanced tab. Click Environment Variables. Under System Variables, click the New button. Type devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices for the Variable Name. Under Variable Value, type “1″ and click OK. In the bottom screen outline the item "FALSE" and substitute "TRUE" . Click OK twice more to apply your changes and exit the System Properties dialog box. Now open Device Manager again and from the View menu, click Show Hidden Devices.
- 16 Jul 2008 #6
Administrator
Join Date : Apr 2007 Texas, USA Posts : 30,532 64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise Local Time: 01:55 AM
My System SpecsRe: Device Manager - Hidden Devices
LOL, thank you Dave.
You can also press the Windows Key + Pause/Break key then Advanced System Settings etc.......
Shawn
- 16 Jul 2008 #7My System Specs
Re: Device Manager - Hidden Devices
I reckon you've topped us all!!
- 16 Jul 2008 #8
Administrator
Join Date : Apr 2007 Texas, USA Posts : 30,532 64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise Local Time: 01:55 AM
My System SpecsRe: Device Manager - Hidden Devices
LOL, I'm sure someone will come along with another easier way of doing it.
The more, the better. It only helps.
Shawn
- 23 Oct 2008 #9My System Specs
Re: Device Manager - Hidden Devices
How You All Create This Video.
Device Manager - Hidden Devices problems?
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