Key Points
- Access Device Manager: Open via Win + X → Device Manager, or run devmgmt.msc to begin adjusting view settings.
- Change View Mode: In the View menu, select from Devices by Type, Devices by Connection, Resources by Type, Resources by Connection, or Show Hidden Devices.
- Reveal Missing/Inactive Hardware: Enable Show Hidden Devices to display disconnected or system-reserved hardware components.
- Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Press Alt + V to open the View menu quickly, then use arrow keys to switch modes efficiently.
- Reset to Default: Return to the standard layout anytime by selecting Devices by Type under the View menu.
Windows 10 has a built-in tool called Device Manager that users can utilize to manage and troubleshoot hardware devices. It provides a centralized dashboard for handling these crucial tasks. These include updating drivers, disabling malfunctioning components, and inspecting detailed device properties.
This centralized dashboard also allows users to change the Device Manager view mode. Doing this serves certain purposes. For example, customizing how devices are displayed for better organization and making it easier to find a specific device.
Adjusting the Device Manager view mode can improve workflow efficiency for specific users. In this guide, we’ll explore how to change the Device Manager view mode. We’ll also cover related discussions about this handy feature.
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How to change the Device Manager view mode
Method 1: Using the Device Manager menu
- Open Device Manager using one of the following methods:
- Option 1: Press Win + X, then click Device Manager from the menu.
- Option 2: Press Win + R, type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter.
- On the menu near the top of the window, click View to open a dropdown submenu.
- From the submenu, you can select from several different display modes:
- Devices by Type (default): Organizes devices into hardware categories like Monitors, Sound, Video, and Game Controllers
- Devices by Connection: Displays devices based on how they are physically connected to your system (e.g., via USB, PCI)
- Resources by Type: Groups devices by the type of system resources they use, such as memory or I/O ports
- Resources by Connection: Arranges devices by how they share system resources
- Show Hidden Devices: Reveals devices that are no longer connected but were previously installed on the system
- For Windows 10 build 21343 and higher, you will also have the option to select from Devices by driver, Drivers by type, and Drivers by device.
- As soon as you select a view mode, the Device Manager window will update to reflect it.
Method 2: Using keyboard shortcuts
- To open Device Manager, press the Windows key + X.
- You can either press M or use devmgmt.msc in the Run dialog to open Device Manager.
- Press Alt + V to open the View menu.
- Use the arrow keys to scroll through the view options.
- Press Enter to select the desired mode.
Alternative methods for opening Device Manager
Try any of these methods that can open and configure Device Manager quickly:
Method 1: Using Command Prompt
- To open the Command Prompt, press the Windows key + R. Type cmd and hit Enter.
- In the Command Prompt window, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter. This immediately launches the Device Manager.
Method 2: Creating a Device Manager shortcut
- Right-click anywhere on the desktop and select New > Shortcut.
- In the location field, type devmgmt.msc and click Next.
- Name the shortcut (e.g., “Device Manager”) and click Finish.
- Double-click the shortcut anytime to open Device Manager.
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Configuring Device Manager view mode
Device Manager offers multiple view modes for users who want to configure how they see the list of their devices. Users can switch views via the View menu or keyboard shortcuts, for which we gave you a step-by-step guide.
Users can also use alternative methods to configure the Device Manager view mode. These methods include using the Command Prompt or creating a shortcut. This customization helps users troubleshoot and manage devices more efficiently. It also helps with better organization and easier access to devices that certain users prioritize for their workflow.
