How to remove a device from system Device Manager?

To remove a device from the system Device Manager, follow these steps:

  1. Open Device Manager.

  2. Locate the device type you want to remove.

  3. Click the ‘+’ symbol or arrow next to the device type to expand it.

  4. Press the Del key or select Uninstall from the Action menu.

  5. Check for any errors in Device Manager and fix them if found.

  6. Before uninstalling, make sure to physically unplug the device.

  7. If the device or driver package is listed in the Add or remove programs section of Settings, open it and uninstall it from there.

Otherwise, continue with the next steps. 8.

In Device Manager, go to the View menu and enable Show Hidden Devices. 9.

Expand the node for the device type you want to uninstall. 10.

Right-click on the device entry and select Uninstall. 11.

If desired, select the Delete the driver software option. 12.

Click OK to complete the uninstallation. 13.

Restart your computer if necessary. 14.

For more detailed information, refer to the “How Devices and Driver Packages are Uninstalled” article.

By following these steps, you can remove a device from the system Device Manager efficiently.

Key Points:

  • Open Device Manager.
  • Locate the device type to be removed and expand it.
  • Uninstall the device using the Del key or the Action menu.
  • Check for and fix any errors in Device Manager.
  • Physically unplug the device before uninstallation.
  • If the device is listed in Add or remove programs, uninstall it there.

1. Opening Device Manager And Locating The Device Type

Device Manager is a crucial tool in Windows that allows users to manage and troubleshoot hardware devices connected to their computer. If you need to remove a specific device from the Device Manager, follow these steps:

  • Start by opening the Device Manager. To do this, press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and then select “Device Manager” from the menu that appears.

Alternatively, you can right-click on the Start button and choose “Device Manager” from the context menu.

  • Once Device Manager opens, you will see a list of different device types. You need to locate the specific device type or category that the device you want to remove belongs to.

For example, if you want to remove a sound card, you would look for the “Sound, video and game controllers” category.

  • To expand a device type, click on the “+” symbol or arrow next to it. This will display a list of devices that fall under that specific category.

2. Uninstalling A Device Using Device Manager

Once you have located the device type that the device you want to remove belongs to, you can proceed with the uninstallation process. Follow these steps:

  • Right-click on the device that you want to remove. A context menu will appear.

  • From the context menu, select the “Uninstall” option. Alternatively, you can also select the device and then click on the “Uninstall” button from the toolbar, which is represented by a red “X” icon.

  • A confirmation dialog box will appear asking if you want to uninstall the device. Review the information displayed in the dialog box to ensure that you are uninstalling the correct device.

If everything looks correct, click on the “OK” button to proceed with the uninstallation.

  • If you want to delete the driver software for the device as well, select the checkbox that says “Delete the driver software for this device.” It is recommended to do this if you are not planning to use the device anymore or if you are experiencing driver-related issues. However, if you think you might need the device again in the future, it is advisable to leave this checkbox unchecked.

  • Click on the “OK” button to complete the uninstallation process.

  • If prompted, restart your computer to finalize the removal of the device from the system.

3. Additional Steps For Removing A Device In Device Manager

Sometimes, simply uninstalling the device using Device Manager may not be enough. Here are some additional steps you can take to ensure the proper removal of a device:

  • Check for errors in Device Manager: After removing a device, it is recommended to check Device Manager for any remaining errors or conflicting devices. Look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark or a red “X” icon.

    These indicate that there might still be issues with the device or its drivers.

  • Fix any errors found: If you come across any errors in Device Manager, right-click on the device with the error and select the appropriate action to resolve the issue. This could involve updating drivers, reinstalling the device, or troubleshooting the problem using Windows’ built-in tools.
  • Physically unplug the device before uninstalling: In some cases, it may be necessary to physically unplug the device from your computer before uninstalling it. This is especially true for external devices such as USB devices or printers.

    Unplugging the device ensures that it is completely disconnected from your system before the uninstallation process.

  • Open Settings and select Add or remove programs to uninstall device or driver package if listed: If the device or its driver package appears in the list of installed programs in the Windows Settings app, you can try uninstalling it from there as well. Open the Settings app, navigate to the “Apps” or “Add or remove programs” section, locate the device or driver package, and select the appropriate option to uninstall it.
  • Use Device Manager if it does not appear in the list: If you cannot find the device or driver package within the Settings app, it is best to rely on Device Manager for the uninstallation process. In Device Manager, you have more control and visibility over the devices installed on your system.
  • Enable Show Hidden Devices in the View menu: Sometimes, you may need to uninstall hidden devices that are not normally visible in Device Manager. To do this, click on the “View” menu in Device Manager and select the “Show Hidden Devices” option.

    This will reveal any hidden devices, including those that have been uninstalled but still have leftover traces or remnants on your system.

    • By following these steps, you can efficiently troubleshoot and remove a device from the System Device Manager. It is important to pay attention to the details and take additional steps if necessary to ensure a thorough removal process.

    Removing unwanted or malfunctioning devices can help improve the overall stability and performance of your computer.

    Related Posts