Adding, removing and managing your devices and printers

You can add wired and wireless devices to your PC, such as printers and speakers. You can also remove them and troubleshoot these devices if they aren't working properly.

If Windows isn't finding a wireless device you want to add, see Why isn't Windows finding my Bluetooth or other wireless device? If you've had problems trying to connect a device, see What if a wired device isn't installed properly?

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To add wired and network devices

In most cases, you can plug in a wired device or choose a network device, and Windows will set it up automatically. Otherwise, you can add a device manually. When you add a device, Windows searches the Windows Store to see if the manufacturer has provided an app for that device. If there is one, Windows automatically installs it.

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, then tap Change PC settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the bottom-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, then click Change PC settings.)

  2. Tap or click PC and devices, and tap or click Devices.

  3. Tap or click Add a device. Then select the device you want from the list of devices that Windows discovers.

To add Bluetooth-enabled devices

Before adding (also called pairing) a Bluetooth-enabled device, make sure it's turned on and discoverable. Methods for making a device discoverable can vary, so be sure to check the info that came with your device or go to the manufacturer’s website.

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, then tap Change PC settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the bottom-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, then click Change PC settings.)

  2. Tap or click PC and devices, and tap or click Bluetooth.

  3. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on, then wait while Windows searches for Bluetooth enabled devices and shows the ones it finds.

  4. Tap or click the device you want, then follow the instructions on your screen to finish pairing your device.

To remove devices

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, then tap Change PC settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the bottom-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, then click Change PC settings.)

  2. Tap or click PC and devices.

  3. If you're removing a wired or network device, tap or click Devices. If you're removing a Bluetooth-enabled device, tap or click Bluetooth.

  4. Tap or click the device you want to remove, and then tap or click Remove device or Remove.

To manage devices

You can manage your devices, change settings, and troubleshoot problems in Devices and Printers in Control Panel. For example, you can set a default printer, change the settings on a wireless mouse, or find out why a device has a yellow warning icon Yellow warning icon that shows there might be a device problem on it.

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, then tap Search.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the bottom-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, then click Search.)

  2. Enter Devices and Printers in the search box, and tap or click Devices and Printers.

  3. Press and hold or right-click a device, and then tap or click what you want to do.

    If there's a yellow warning icon Yellow warning icon that shows there might be a device problem next to the device tap or click Troubleshoot.
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