Add, view, and manage your devices and printers

You can add wired and wireless devices to your PC, see all of the devices connected to your PC, and troubleshoot a device that isn't working properly in Devices and Printers in Control Panel. When you add a device, Windows searches the Windows Store to see if there’s an app for that device from the manufacturer. If there’s one, Windows automatically installs it.

If Windows isn't finding a device you want to add, see Why isn't Windows finding my device? For more info about device installation problems, see What if a device isn't installed properly?

Show all

To add a printer or other device

You can add both wired and wireless devices to your PC in Devices and Printers. Before you add 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. Tap or click to open Devices and Printers.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • To add a printer, tap or click Add a printer, and then follow the instructions. For more info about adding printers, see Install a printer.

    • To add another type of device, tap or click Add a device, and then follow the instructions.

Tips

Tips

  • You can also add printers and devices in PC settings. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)
    Under PC settings, tap or click Devices, and then tap or click Add a device.

  • Some wireless devices can be added by physically tapping them with your PC. Look for the Tap and Do touch mark Tap and Do touch mark on both your device and PC. To use Tap and Do to add a device, tap the touch mark on your device against the touch mark on your PC, and then tap or click the notification that asks Add a device?

To view your devices and printers

The devices found in Devices and Printers are typically external devices connected to your PC through a port or network connection. These can include phones, music players, cameras, external drives, keyboards, and mice. Your PC is also displayed.

Note

Note

Devices and Printers doesn't display some devices like internal drives, sound cards, video cards, processors, and other internal parts.

To manage your devices and printers

In Devices and Printers, you can manage your devices, change settings, and even troubleshoot problems. 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 next to it.

  1. Tap or click to open Devices and Printers.

  2. Press and hold or right-click a device, and then tap or click a task.

Note

Note

If you see a yellow warning icon next to a device, you can troubleshoot the problem by tapping and holding or right-clicking the device, and then tapping or clicking Troubleshoot.

Was this helpful?
Thank you.
Do you want to add anything else?
Thank you. Your feedback helps us to continually improve our content.
1200 400 How can we make this more helpful for you? Submit Skip this Do you want to add anything else? Submit No thanks