How-To Guide for Scanning for Hardware Changes in Windows 11

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Configure Hardware Windows 11

Scanning for Hardware Changes in Windows 11

At times, you may encounter issues with hardware not being recognized or malfunctioning in Windows 11. Scanning for hardware changes is a useful way to refresh the system's device detection process. This guide will show you how to scan for hardware changes in Windows 11.

Using Device Manager:

Open the "Device Manager" by right-clicking on the "Start" button and selecting "Device Manager."

In the Device Manager window, navigate to the category or specific device you want to scan for changes. For a broader scan, you can perform this at the root level by selecting your computer's name at the top.

Right-click on the category or device, and in the context menu, choose "Scan for hardware changes."

Windows will then rescan and refresh the list of connected hardware. If any new hardware is detected, it will appear in the Device Manager.

Using Windows PowerShell:

Press "Win + X" and select "Windows Terminal (Admin)" to open a PowerShell window with administrator privileges.

In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press "Enter": Get-PnpDevice -PresentOnly

This command displays a list of devices that are currently present and connected to your system.

To include non-present or disconnected devices, use this command: Get-PnpDevice -PresentOnly:$False

The PowerShell window will display all devices, including those that are not currently connected.

Scanning for hardware changes can help resolve issues related to unrecognized or malfunctioning hardware in Windows 11. Whether using Device Manager or PowerShell, you have the tools to ensure your system properly detects and manages your hardware devices.

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