Manage USB Devices on Windows Using Device Manager and Event Viewer

 Device Manager and Event Viewer

Managing USB devices in Windows can help troubleshoot hardware issues, optimize performance, or control access to devices. In this guide, we’ll walk you through using Device Manager and Event Viewer to manage USB devices connected to your Windows computer.

Step 1- Access Device Manager

Device Manager is a powerful tool within Windows that provides a detailed overview of all connected hardware, including USB devices. Here’s how to access and navigate it.

1. Launch Device Manager

There are two quick methods to open Device Manager:

• Method 1: Use Windows + X

  • Press Windows + X on your keyboard.
  • Select Device Manager from the menu that appears.

• Method 2: Use Windows + R

  • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter.

Both methods will open the Device Manager, where you can view and manage all connected devices

2. View USB Controllers

Once Device Manager is open:

• Scroll down to find the section labeled Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
• Click the arrow next to it to expand and view all USB controllers and devices currently connected to your system.

Step 2- Identify and Manage USB Devices

After accessing the USB controllers list, you can view details about each connected USB device and manage them as needed.

1. View Connected Devices

• In the Universal Serial Bus controllers section, you’ll see a list of all USB devices connected to your computer.
• Double-click any device to open its Properties window. This provides information about the device’s status, driver details, and any available troubleshooting options.

2. Disable or Uninstall a Device

There are instances when you may want to temporarily disable a device or completely remove its driver.

• Disable a Device

  • Right-click on the USB device you wish to disable.
  • Select Disable device to prevent Windows from using it temporarily. This is useful if you don’t want the device to interfere with other system processes.

• Uninstall a Device

  • To completely remove a device, right-click on the device and select Uninstall device.
  • This removes the device driver from the system and disconnects the device, making it unrecognized until you reinstall it or scan for hardware changes.

3. Scan for Hardware Changes

Sometimes, USB devices may not be recognized immediately after connection. To refresh the list:

• Right-click on Universal Serial Bus controllers.
• Select Scan for hardware changes to prompt Windows to detect any newly connected devices.

Using Event Viewer to Monitor USB Activity

Event Viewer is another helpful tool in Windows that allows you to monitor and diagnose device activities and system events. Though Device Manager allows you to view and control USB devices, Event Viewer can help you track when USB devices connect or disconnect and log any errors that may arise.

1. Access Event Viewer

• Press Windows + X and select Event Viewer from the menu.

• Alternatively, press Windows + R, type eventvwr.msc, and hit Enter.

2. Navigate to Device Management Events

• In Event Viewer, expand the Windows Logs section on the left sidebar.

• Select System to view system events, which include entries related to USB device activities.

• Look for events tagged as Device Manager events or entries that mention USB devices to identify any errors, warnings, or information logs about device connections and disconnections.

Conclusion

Using Device Manager and Event Viewer together allows you to have full control over USB devices on your Windows computer. Whether it’s disabling a device, uninstalling a driver, or simply tracking USB activity, these tools provide the insights and controls you need to manage your hardware effectively. By following these steps, you can resolve USB issues quickly, improve system stability, and ensure that only necessary devices are active on your computer.Below is the attached screen recording for guidance.