When configuring the "seven", users very often encounter the fact that a notification or message appears in the system tray that an unknown has been detected. Many users think that this is some kind of virus. Maybe so, but in general the situation is much simpler.
Unknown device in Windows 7 Device Manager: what is it?
To begin with, no Windows system, no matter how much its developers want it, can have in its standard installation package absolutely all drivers and absolutely for all devices. In other words, the code we see in the Windows 7 Device Manager, this can only mean that it is present as such in terms of hardware on the computer, but cannot work normally.
And what are these devices? As a rule, these are the most standard USB media, or, simply put, flash drives or removable hard drives, as well as MIDI keyboards without installed drivers. First, the file systems may not match when a removable device or even a mobile gadget is connected. Second, the computer system can automatically request formatting.
Okay, if it really has to do with the USB stick. Otherwise, the problem that the user detects an unknown device in the Windows 7 task manager may have other root causes. According to many users, the only problem is that the drivers are out of date. This is not true. I would like to advise such "smart" specialists to apply the standard method of an unknown device from the system database. Nothing works, after all, but "Windows" writes that the most suitable driver is installed.
You will either have to download the drivers manually, or install an automatic client. One of these is the Driver Booster software package. Note that the third updated version is installed on the computer completely free of charge and updates the drivers automatically, not one by one, as it was in the previous variations, but entirely and immediately.
How to enter Windows 7 Device Manager and what to do next?
Regarding the entry into the service, which allows you to view all devices, whether they are working or not, you can note the universal manager, although not every user knows that you can disable or activate any device in terms of "hardware" in the BIOS. If the component is disabled, even the system will not see it during configuration.
Nevertheless, we will analyze the question of how to enter this service and why an empty Windows 7 device manager sometimes appears before the user. First, you need to use the Run menu, and not wander through any control panels and enter the devmgmt.msc command there , which is in a quick version and provides access to this service.
Here it follows from the view menu to choose exactly what is required. If all else fails, you should use the services system called by the services.msc command.
If nothing is displayed
Now we turn to the most painful question. But what if there is not a single device in the manager at all, although the user knows that they are and work (or worked until a certain time)?
First, it is worth checking the system for viruses (this is not discussed). Second, is it really a USB media not supported by Microsoft or the BIOS boot system.
Here you really have to install specific drivers. By the way, owners of what they think are “cool” video cards suffer the most from such situations. In fact, an unknown device in the device manager of Windows 7 (and not only) can be displayed for the simple reason that the system itself is outdated. Here you just need to enable auto-update. And even then, even a system update does not always work correctly. Device drivers that are not in the list of the Windows installation directory will simply not be installed.
Therefore, it is recommended to use only "native" discs with drivers or programs like Ultimate Driver Solution or Driver Booster. By the way, the last, third version is absolutely free and updates drivers not one by one, as it was provided before, but all at once.
What's the bottom line?
Finally, it remains to add that the problem that somewhere and somehow an unknown device will be detected or shown in the Windows 7 task manager is solved by at least a simple installation of the appropriate driver, if not from the Windows directory, then from the "native" or updater - Yes sir.
Naturally, it should be additionally said that it is not worth updating the required drivers developed for any "Windows". Anyway, the system will try to install something from its catalog, considering them the most correct. There are many complaints about this. Just try turning off the system update and using the above program. The difference is enormous.
1. How to enter the device manager:
Windows XP: on the desktop or in the start menu, click on My Computer with the right mouse button => control => device manager
Start => Settings => Control Panel => System Properties => Hardware => Device Manager
Windows 7: in the start or on the desktop, click on the Computer with the right mouse button => Control
Device Manager
Start => in the search bar, enter Device Manager and open it
Windows 8:
Press the keys Windows + C => settings => device manager
search => device manager
V Windows 8.1 click on start in the lower left corner with the right mouse button => device manager.
2. Installing devices if you have a driver disc:
Very often, a person who does not know how to install drivers on devices - takes all the disks that he has and begins to install everything from them indiscriminately ... After which a lot of unnecessary things appear on the computer, a bad start for a new operating system ... A disk with drivers often comes with the purchase of a computer (laptop), and it says which operating systems it supports. Therefore, if it says that it supports Windows XP, and you are trying to install Windows 7, then skip this item and download new drivers from the Internet ..
These programs almost always help out if you do not have a disk with drivers, and if you do not know the models of your device. You can download an online version that will scan the system and download the necessary drivers, but often the network devices are not installed and there is no Internet. Therefore, we download the full version of these programs, write it to a disk, USB drive, or external hard drive and run it on the computer.
With SamDrivers, you can save drivers, install drivers, and a certain set of standard programs are included in the assembly. To install the drivers, click Install Drivers: Driver Pack Solution Plus. The list will offer to update and install drivers on devices
At the top there are driver and program tabs, you can choose which devices to install and update, as well as which programs to install. Or click "Install and Update", let him put everything. In the next window, select - to install only drivers, or programs are also needed.
We wait for some time, observe the pictures, and if everything is good, then there will be no unknown devices in the device manager, and there will be no yellow icons.
4. Installing drivers by device model:
With laptops it is a little easier than with a computer, and if you know the laptop model (it is often written below or under the battery), then you can go to the manufacturer's website and download the drivers for all devices of this laptop. We go to the manufacturer's website, enter the model, drivers and version of the operating system (the version of the operating system can be viewed by clicking on Computer (my computer) with the right mouse button => properties => system properties will open):
I will not list all manufacturers, if your model is not in the list, use the search and find the official website of your device. Of course, you can download it on other sites, but as practice shows, there is malicious software in the load.
For PC users: you need to know the model of your motherboard, video card and other connected devices. The name of the model can be found in the papers that were given to you when you bought a PC, or you can see the inscription on the devices themselves. To see the inscriptions - you need to remove the side cover
for example, judging from the inscription the name of the motherboard Asus KBV-X SE
the video card can be built-in (integrated) and a separate card (discrete). If the video card is integrated, then by installing all the drivers by the name of your motherboard, the drivers will be installed on the video, if it is discrete, then you need to look at its name, and then download the drivers from the Internet. In the picture, the name of the video card: GeForce FX5500
There is another way to find out the model of devices and not consider the name of the models under the cover - download the program Aida or Everest and see device names
after you find out the name of your device, go to the manufacturer's official website and download drivers for your operating system, or search for drivers in a search engine by name.
5.Installing devices by hardware code:
Each equipment has an identification code, just like humans :). Therefore, if there are not many unknown devices, if there is no disk with drivers, and if you do not know the model, then let's look for the equipment id:
- go to the Information tab and select the equipment ID in the list
- The unique ID of the equipment is written in the value field
- open the search engine and enter this ID there (you can copy it from the previous window by right-clicking - copy)
- the list will not necessarily contain a link to the drivers, perhaps there will simply be a hint with the name of the device, and then by name you go and download the necessary drivers from the official website.
6. Installing drivers manually:
It is rare, but it happens that there is a folder with drivers on our computer or on a USB flash drive, and you need to specify the path to this folder when installing the device. To do this, go to the device manager, click on the desired device with the right mouse button => update the driver
In the window that appears, select "Search for drivers on this computer" (or in Windows XP - Install from a specified location)
Click Browse and specify the path to the folder with the drivers, then click OK and wait until the device is installed
Also, Windows implements the installation of drivers automatically with Windows updates, but unfortunately the updates do not contain drivers for every device. But still, to check whether the automatic installation of drivers with Windows Update is selected or not:
- We go to the start, in the search bar, enter Change of installation parameters => select the found
I hope you found your way to install the drivers, in any case, remember - drivers are needed not only for the devices in the PC (laptop) itself, but also for the devices that you connect. That is, if you connected a Samsung SCX 4200 printer to this laptop, go to the official Samsung website and download the drivers for it. If something is not clear, or there are suggestions - write comments :). Good luck to you!
A driver is a software environment that helps a system communicate with physical hardware. Neither a mouse, nor a video card, nor any other equipment can work without it. Drivers are very important and it is because of them that errors often appear. If the device has stopped working or is not functioning properly, most likely the reason is "wood". Below we have tried to describe all the problems with the drivers, and provided instructions on how to fix them.
A driver is a special program whose role is to link the hardware of the computer and the system. Only with such software can any physical device be able to function properly. Drivers are needed for absolutely all devices, even those located inside the system unit of a computer or laptop.
Most of them support automatic installation on Windows. Often, the drivers are built into the hardware. For this reason, the newly connected device immediately becomes available for use (for example, a mouse). However, the drivers in their memory are not updated, so they become outdated. Even the new device has outdated software installed, which was relevant at the date of production.
To ensure maximum performance and stability of the device, you should always install new drivers from the manufacturer's website.
Installing the required drivers using special programs
Driver updates are released regularly: every week or month, and sometimes more often. Manually installing and updating all drivers is long and tedious. The simplest solution is to use specialized software. Their main task is to collect information about the computer, check the relevance of installed drivers and download new software versions.
The most popular application in this category is. Among the analogues - Driver Scanner, Driver Hub, Carambis Driver Updater«.
They all work on a similar principle:
- load the application into the system and run;
- after a short analysis of the OS and search for drivers, a list of software to be installed or updated will be displayed;
- give permission to the program to install all drivers.
After the installation process (it may take up to 20 minutes), the system will have to be rebooted. Usually, this is enough to eliminate most of the problems with the "wood".
Important! Installing all drivers through special programs is the fastest, but not the best way. Sometimes the software installed in this way comes into conflict, which leads to lags, bugs, freezes and even "blue screens of death".
Can I download drivers by hardware ID?
The most reliable installation method is to manually download the correct software versions. The question arises, how to find suitable drivers if the exact model of the equipment is not known? There is an efficient way - using codes VEN and DEV that are identifiers of any equipment.
Step-by-step installation instructions:
- right-click on "Start" and choose "Device Manager"... You can get to the same section through RMB on "My computer", select "Properties"... The required item is in the menu on the left;
- open the tab with an unidentified device and double-click on it;
- go to page "Intelligence";
- in the dropdown under "Property" select "Equipment ID"... A number of identifiers will appear here, you need to copy one of them;
- go to the Devid.info website and enter the device ID in the search box.
- the page displays a list with suitable drivers for the equipment with the specified identifier. By clicking on the floppy disk icon on the right, you can download the software;
- if you received a driver with automatic installation, you just need to run it.
If there is already a driver downloaded, all that remains is to install it.
How install driver:
- In the "Device Manager" you need to make a PCM on the unidentified hardware and select "Update drivers".
- Click on the option "Search for drivers on this computer".
- Specify the path to the loaded driver and start the installation procedure. Important! If it is in rar format, the file must be unzipped in advance.
After successful installation, the unknown device will disappear. It will move to another section and begin to appear as an identified device.
The "Unknown device" error occurs when one of the computer devices (bus, USB port, controller, etc.) stops working due to the fact that the driver files are not found. The problem is solved in a fairly simple way, namely by reinstalling the driver, a program that translates the Windows language into tasks that are understandable for the device.
Causes of the "Unknown device" problem in the "Device Manager" Windows 10
There is only one reason for the appearance of the "Unknown device" in the computer: the driver of this device does not work. But what caused the communication program to stop working is another question. There are three main reasons:
- the driver was not initially installed after installing Windows, and Microsoft does not have the necessary software in its databases;
- the driver is damaged by a virus or disk error;
- driver removed by user or malware.
In the case when all devices worked correctly, and then one or more "Unknown" appeared, you need to check your computer for viruses and malware. To do this, it is best to use two or three programs from different developers for better scanning of potential threats. And after the antiviruses work, the driver needs to be reinstalled.
Determining the required driver
In order to understand whether the device drivers are working correctly or not, you need to view all the tabs of the "Device Manager".
- Press the key combination Win + X and select "Device Manager" in the drop-down menu.
Press the key combination Win + X and in the drop-down menu select "Device Manager" - We open all the tabs and look for devices with a yellow exclamation mark. In most cases, the program itself will indicate the problem devices.
A recognized device with an inoperative driver is marked with a yellow exclamation mark - Double-click on the line with the device, the driver of which does not work, thereby calling the properties. Go to the "Details" tab. Change the "Property" filter to "Equipment ID". Then right-click on any line in the "Value" column and select the "Copy" item.
Each equipment has a unique ID to search for a driver - The value saved to the clipboard is inserted into the search bar of Google, Yandex or any other search engine and send a request.
Insert the equipment ID into the search box and send a request - The search will give the name of the device and resources where you can download the required driver.
Installing the driver manually
After you have downloaded the driver, you need to install it. Most programs can be installed very simply by running the file with the .exe extension. However, not all drivers are installed this way.
- Open the "Device Manager", right-click on the line of the device, the driver of which will be installed. In the context menu, select "Update driver".
Right-click on the hardware line and click "Update Driver" - In the window that opens, select "Search for drivers on this computer."
Select the item "Search for drivers on this computer" - We register the path to the folder where the driver is saved and click "Next". We will definitely wait until the master finishes his work. Then it is advisable to restart the computer.
All the red tape with finding and installing the required device driver can be avoided by using the automatic installation from the Microsoft server.
Microsoft servers only contain Plug and Play drivers, that is, standard software products. This means that only the basic functions of the device work with them. This is especially noticeable in games. From personal experience, I was more than once convinced that the performance of a computer is significantly increased when installing drivers downloaded from the official site, and not through the "Device Manager". Especially for video cards and motherboards. I strongly recommend not installing the drivers for these devices through the "Automatic search". Unless there is an urgent need and little time.
It is very easy to fix the "Unknown device" problem. You just need to determine which driver is missing and install it manually or automatically from Microsoft servers.
Windows Device Manager is basically a tool that allows you to identify all the hardware connected to your computer. It is useful for a variety of tasks, from driver management such as updating, rolling back, and even uninstalling, to enabling and disabling specific devices.
But one day an "abnormal" situation may arise when an "Unknown device" appears in the dispatcher. This hardware cannot be recognized by Windows and therefore will not pick up a driver for it. When it cannot be determined, it is marked as unknown with a yellow exclamation mark in front of the name.
Device not detected in Windows 7, 10 - what to do?
You can search for unknown PC components using the hardware ID.
The previously unrecognized equipment will now become fully functional and will no longer appear as an unknown device.
Conclusion
If an unknown device is found, do not panic and immediately contact the service center. The only problem is that Windows does not recognize the specific hardware installed in the system unit due to the lack of software.
Sometimes even a simple reboot can fix the problem. But it is better to install the drivers manually so that an entry with a yellow triangle does not appear in the Manager again.
