What is a device manager?

Welcome Delta Sigma Pi

  • Accessibility
  • Sales:

    Home:

    1-800-426-7235

    Business:

    1-866-426-0911

    Chat Now >

    Visit Sales Support Page >


    Order Support:

    Order Lookup >

    Visit Order Support Page >

    Technical Support >

Lenovo
All
  • All
  • Laptops
  • Desktops
  • Workstations
  • Monitors
  • PC Accessories & Electronics
  • Tablets
  • Servers & Storage
  • Servers Accessories
  • Sign In / Create Account
    My Lenovo Account
    Keep track of your wishlist, orders, and rewards all in one place
    Sign In / Create Account
    Welcome Back!
    Access your order, subscriptions, saved carts, rewards balance, and profile
    View My Account
    Orders
    View & track your orders
    Rewards
    Earn & redeem Rewards
    Profile
    Edit name, password, and account settings
    Wishlist
    Manage a wishlist of your favorite products
    Products
    Manage your devices, accessories
    Product Registration
    Register your product and/or update your warranty dates
    Sign Out
  • My Lenovo Rewards
  • Cart
  • Products
  • Solutions
  • Services
  • Support
  • About Lenovo
  • Deals
  • Student
  • Gaming
  • Laptops
  • Desktops
  • Workstations
  • Accessories
  • Software
  • Monitors
  • Tablets
  • Servers & Storage
  • Home & Office
  • AI
  • Deals
TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE
DISCONTINUED
Temporary Unavailable
Cooming Soon!
. Additional units will be charged at the non-eCoupon price. Purchase additional now
We're sorry, the maximum quantity you are able to buy at this amazing eCoupon price is
Sign in or Create an Account to Save Your Cart!
Sign in or Create an Account to Join Rewards
View Cart
Remove
Your cart is empty! Don’t miss out on the latest products and savings — find your next favorite laptop, PC, or accessory today.
item(s) in cart
Some items in your cart are no longer available. Please visit cart for more details.
has been deleted
Please review your cart as items have changed.
of
Contains Add-ons
Subtotal
Proceed to Checkout
Yes
No
Popular Searches
What are you looking for today ?
Trending
Recent Searches
Items
All
Cancel
Top Suggestions
View All >
Starting at
  • Black Friday in July! Limited-time Doorbusters + Buy more, Save more!  Shop Now >

  • My Lenovo Rewards! Earn 3%-9% in rewards and get free expedited delivery on select products. Join for Free >

  • Buy online, pick up select products at Best Buy. Shop Pick Up >

  • Lease-to-own today with Katapult. Get started with an initial lease payment as low as $1! * Learn More >

Home > Glossary > What is a device manager?
Glossary Hero
Learn More
StarStar

Annual Sale

Lenovo Laptop SaleLenovo Laptop Sale

Laptop Deals

Desktop DealsDesktop Deals

Desktop Deals

Workstation DealsWorkstation Deals

Workstation Deals

StoreStore

Pick Up Today at Best Buy

ControllerController

Gaming PC & Accessory Deals

MouseMouse

PC Accessories & Electronics Deals

MonitorMonitor

Monitor Deals

Tablet and phoneTablet and phone

Tablets & Phones Deals

ServerServer

Server & Storage Deals

Discount tagDiscount tag

Clearance Sale


What is a device manager?

A device manager is a Windows utility that enables you to manage and configure hardware devices on your computer. It allows you to view a list of all installed hardware devices, view device properties, update drivers, disable or enable devices, troubleshoot issues, and configure hardware settings.

How do I open my device manager?

You can open your device manager by pressing the Windows key + X on your keyboard and selecting device manager from the menu. Alternatively, you can open it by searching for "device manager" in the start menu or control panel.

What are some common hardware devices listed in a device manager?

Some common hardware devices listed in device manager include display adapters, network adapters, sound, video and game controllers, mice and other pointing devices, keyboards, printers, and USB controllers.

How do I view device properties in my device manager?

To view device properties in a device manager, right-click on the device you want to view and select Properties from the context menu. This will open a dialog box with information about the device, including its status, driver details, and hardware ID.

What is the hardware ID in a device manager?

The hardware ID in a device manager is a unique identifier for a hardware device. It is used to match the device with the correct driver and ensure that it functions correctly. You can view the hardware ID of a device by opening its properties in device manager and navigating to the details tab.

How do I update drivers in my device manager?

To update drivers in your device manager, right-click on the device you want to update and select update driver from the context menu. This will prompt you to choose between automatically searching for updated driver software or manually selecting a driver from a location on your computer.

What is driver software in a device manager?

Driver software in a device manager is a program that allows the operating system to communicate with a hardware device. It provides the necessary instructions and protocols for the device to function correctly. Driver software can be updated or replaced in device manager if there are issues with the device or the current driver.

How do I disable a device in my device manager?

To disable a device in your device manager, right-click on the device you want to disable and select disable device from the context menu. This will prevent the device from functioning until it is enabled again.

How do I enable a device in my device manager?

To enable a device in your device manager, right-click on the device you want to enable and select enable device from the context menu. This will allow the device to function again.

What is the "scan for hardware changes" option in my device manager?

The "Scan for hardware changes" option in your device manager allows you to scan for new or changed hardware devices on your computer. This can be useful if you have recently installed a new device or are experiencing issues with a device that may have been disconnected or disabled.

How do I troubleshoot hardware issues in my device manager?

To troubleshoot hardware issues in your device manager, right-click on the device you are having issues with and select properties from the context menu. From there, navigate to the driver tab and select update driver. You can also use the troubleshoot option to automatically detect and resolve any issues with the device.

How do I configure hardware settings in device manager?

To configure hardware settings in device manager, right-click on the device you want to configure and select properties from the context menu. From there, you can navigate to the driver tab and select driver details to view and modify driver settings.

What is the "roll back driver" option in a device manager?

The "roll back driver" option in your device manager allows you to revert to a previous version of the driver software for a device. This can be useful if you have recently updated a driver and are experiencing issues with the device, as it allows you to return to a previous version of the driver that was working correctly.

What is the "uninstall device" option in my device manager?

The "uninstall device" option in your device manager allows you to completely remove a device from your computer, including its driver software. This can be useful if you no longer need the device or are experiencing issues with it that cannot be resolved through other troubleshooting methods.

How do I view hidden devices in a device manager?

To view hidden devices in your device manager, click on the View menu and select show hidden devices. This will display any devices not currently connected to your computer or previously installed.

What are some common issues that can be resolved through my device manager?

Some common issues that can be resolved through your device manager include outdated or missing drivers, disabled or malfunctioning devices, incorrect device settings, and hardware conflicts.

How do I check for hardware conflicts in my device manager?

To check for hardware conflicts in your device manager, navigate to the view menu and select resources by type. This will display a list of all devices on your computer and their corresponding resource usage. Any devices with resource conflicts will be displayed with a yellow exclamation mark icon.

What is the yellow exclamation mark icon in my device manager?

A yellow exclamation mark icon in your device manager indicates that there is a problem with a device. This could be due to outdated or missing drivers, hardware conflicts, or other issues. It is important to troubleshoot and resolve any issues indicated by the yellow exclamation mark icon to ensure that your devices are functioning correctly.

What is the "scan for hardware changes" option in device manager?

The "scan for hardware changes" option in device manager allows you to scan your computer for any newly connected or installed devices. This can be useful if you have just installed a new device and it is not appearing in device manager, or if you have unplugged a device and it is still appearing in the list.

What is the difference between disabling and uninstalling a device in device manager?

Disabling a device in device manager turns off its functionality without removing it from your computer. This can be useful if you need to troubleshoot issues with the device or if you want to conserve power. Uninstalling a device, on the other hand, completely removes it from your computer and its driver software.

How do I update drivers for a device in device manager?

To update drivers for a device in device manager, right-click on the device and select Update driver. You can then choose to search automatically for updated driver software or browse your computer for driver software that you have downloaded and saved.

What is a "driver signature" in device manager?

A driver signature in device manager is a digital signature attached to a driver file to verify its authenticity. This helps to prevent the installation of malware or other malicious software on your computer. If a driver file does not have a valid digital signature, you may receive a warning or error message when attempting to install it.

Looking for a Great Deal?
Shop Lenovo.com for great deals on A+ Education PCs, Accessories, Bundles and more.
Shop Deals Now

  • Legion 7i Gen 9 (16″ Intel) Gaming Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,699.99
    Learn More
  • ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition (15ʺ Intel) Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,127.97
    Learn More
  • Yoga Book 9i (13” Intel)
    Starting at
    $1,999.99
    Learn More
  • Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (14″ Intel) Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,439.99
    Learn More
  • ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 (16″ Intel) Mobile Workstation
    Starting at
    $1,871.22
    Learn More
  • Shop
    • Student Deals
    • K-12 Student Laptops
    • Student Accessories
    • Laptops by Major
    Education resource
    Explore
    • What is STEM?
    • Best Laptops for College
    • Student & Teacher Discounts
    • Lenovo Sustainability Programs
    Education carry case

    Stem Articles
    See All STEM Articles
    • Online STEM Education

    • STEM Career Tips & Resources

    • Women in STEM

    • STEM Educator Training

    • STEM Grants & Funding

    • STEM Education: Coding for Kids

    • STEM Education: Robotics

    • STEM Education: Biotechnology

    • STEM Education: Sustainability

    • STEM Education: AI & ML

    While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, this glossary is provided for reference purposes only and may contain errors or inaccuracies. It serves as a general resource for understanding commonly used terms and concepts. For precise information or assistance regarding our products, we recommend visiting our dedicated support site, where our team is readily available to address any questions or concerns you may have.

    Why Lenovo?

    Go Greener with Leno...

    Lenovo is committed to Smarter Climate Action with lower energy laptops, use of sustainable materials and packaging, and available CO2 Offset Services.
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Get It Now, Pay For ...

    Lenovo has multiple financing option: the Lenovo Credit Card, installment plans, and lease-to-own financing op...
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Productivity & Peace of Mind

    Stay productive with Premium Care Plus - 24/7 priority support and coverage against accidental damage. Power through your day with our Smart Performance and extended battery solutions.
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Fast & Secure

    Get the most from your laptop with Lenovo’s state-of-the-art Smart Performance, delivering powerful, all-in-on...
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Assistance and Suppo...

    Chat with a trained professional who can help you find the right products, place or check on an order, or setup your Education laptop.
    Contact Us
    pastel background
    Enter email to receive Lenovo marketing and promotional emails. Review our Privacy Statement for more details.
    Please enter the correct email address!
    Email address is required
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Instagram
    Select Country / Region:
    Country
    AndroidIOS

    About Lenovo

    • Our Company
    • News
    • Investors Relations
    • Compliance
    • ESG
    • Product Recycling
    • Product Security
    • Product Recalls
    • Executive Briefing Center
    • Lenovo Cares
    • Careers
    • Formula 1 Partnership

    Products & Services

    • Laptops & Ultrabooks
    • Smarter AI for You
    • Desktop Computers
    • Workstations
    • Gaming
    • Tablets
    • Servers, Storage, & Networking
    • Accessories & Software
    • Services & Warranty
    • Product FAQs
    • Outlet
    • Deals
    • Lenovo Coupons
    • Cloud Security Software
    • Windows 11 Upgrade

    Resources

    • Legion Gaming Community
    • Lenovo EDU Community
    • Lenovo Pro Community
    • Lenovo Pro for Business
    • My Lenovo Rewards
    • Lenovo Financing
    • Lenovo Trade-in
    • Affiliate Program
    • Affinity Program
    • Employee Purchase Program
    • Lenovo Partner Hub
    • Laptop Buying Guide
    • Where to Buy
    • Glossary

    Customer Support

    • Contact Us
    • Policy FAQs
    • Return Policy
    • Shipping Information
    • Order Lookup
    • Register a Product
    • Replacement Parts
    • Technical Support
    • Forums
    • Provide Feedback
    © 2025 Lenovo. All rights reserved.
    PrivacyCookie Consent ToolSite MapTerms of UseExternal Submission PolicySales terms and conditionsAnti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
    Compare  ()
    x
    Call

    Need Help? Call: 

    1-800-426-7235
    Select Your Store
    Add items to your cart?
    We've noticed that you've entered a different store. Do you want to add these items to your cart in the new store?
    No Yes. Add in Lenovo Pro

    close_icon

    Sign up and receive up to $100
    off your next purchase.
    Click here for offer details
    Are you shopping for a business?

    No, Thanks

    Click here for offer details
    *Offer valid for new subscribers only. Not valid on previous purchases.
    Lenovo Privacy Policy
    Thanks for signing up!
    You should receive an email from us within the next 2 hours
    *Offer valid for new subscribers only. Not valid on previous purchases.
    Lenovo Privacy Policy
    An error occurred while submitting your request.
    Please try again later.