By Matt Estes
Let me introduce you to a feature that a typical Windows user doesn’t know about. This is Device Manager, and it’s been at the heart of Windows software since the Windows 95 operating system.
Device Manager is simply a list of all of the hardware in and attached to a computer. Every component associated with a computer is featured in a drop down menu.
If something goes wrong on a computer, this is the first place a professional will look to diagnose a problem. If a device is broken or not attached properly, it will be denoted with a red “X” or an exclamation point. Symbols like these help to determine the extent of the computer problem.
Device Manager is also where the term “driver” comes into play. A driver is a set of software instructions that tells the computer how to use the device that’s been installed. While driver technology has improved over the years, figuring out why a driver is not working can still be one of the most frustrating tasks for a Windows user.
If you have the courage, try exploring Device Manager. You can access it from the control panel on all Windows operating systems. Just be careful. While it’s difficult to cause permanent damage to a computer from Device Manager, it’s not impossible. Do not fiddle with any driver settings, especially in the area of hard drives or system devices.