How to Open Device Manager From Command Prompt

To open Device Manager from Command Prompt, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter. This command works on Windows 11 and Windows 10. You can use a regular Command Prompt or open it as an administrator when you need administrator access.

Open Device Manager from cmd

Open Start, type cmd, and select Command Prompt. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

devmgmt.msc

Run the command as an administrator

For administrator access, search for Command Prompt, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Select Yes at the Windows prompt. If Windows requests administrator credentials instead, enter authorized administrator credentials.

Once the elevated Command Prompt opens, use the same Device Manager command. Type the following and press Enter:

devmgmt.msc

Try another command if Device Manager will not open

If the basic command does not open Device Manager, try launching its console explicitly through Microsoft Management Console, or MMC. On Windows 11 and Windows 10, enter the following command and press Enter:

mmc "%SystemRoot%\System32\devmgmt.msc"

You can also use the start command on Windows 11 and Windows 10 when the normal .msc file association is in place. Enter this command and press Enter:

start devmgmt.msc

The start route relies on that file association to launch the console. If it fails, try the explicit MMC command above.

On Windows 11, the Control Panel command provides another way to open Device Manager. Type the following in Command Prompt and press Enter:

control /name Microsoft.DeviceManager

That same Control Panel command also works through the Windows 11 Run dialog. Press Windows + R, enter the command shown above, and press Enter.

Open Device Manager through Computer Management

You can also reach Device Manager through Computer Management on Windows 11 and Windows 10. In Command Prompt, enter the following command and press Enter:

compmgmt.msc

In Computer Management, select System Tools > Device Manager. This route requires that extra selection after the console opens, while devmgmt.msc opens Device Manager directly.

You can also open Computer Management by right-clicking Start and selecting Computer Management, or by searching for it in Start. Another option is to press Windows + R, enter compmgmt.msc, and press Enter. Whichever entry point you choose, select System Tools > Device Manager once Computer Management opens.

Open Device Manager without Command Prompt

On Windows 11 and Windows 10, press Windows + R to open Run. Enter the command below, then select OK or press Enter:

devmgmt.msc

To use Start search, open Start, search for Device Manager, and select Device Manager from the results. On Windows 11 and Windows 10, you can also press Windows + X and select Device Manager. Try either route if a command launch fails.

Save a reusable launch command

On Windows 11 or Windows 10, you can reuse the MMC launch command through a shortcut or a .cmd batch file. Use the following as the shortcut target or as a command in the batch file:

mmc "%SystemRoot%\System32\devmgmt.msc"

Open the shortcut or batch file to launch Device Manager. Microsoft supports MMC commands in both shortcuts and batch files, so you can use either option to avoid typing the command each time.

Fix access restrictions on a managed PC

If your managed PC blocks Device Manager, ask its administrator to review the Device Manager MMC policies. These policies apply to Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise, plus specified Windows 10 editions and builds. Microsoft says enabling the relevant policy permits the snap-in, while disabling it prohibits access. After your administrator permits access, run devmgmt.msc normally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you open Device Manager from Task Manager?

Yes, in the current Windows 11 Task Manager, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and select Run new task. Enter devmgmt.msc, then select OK.

How do you find Device Manager in Control Panel?

Open Control Panel and search for Device Manager. Select Device Manager from the results.

Can you get to Device Manager through File Explorer?

Yes, open File Explorer, right-click This PC, and select Manage. In Computer Management, select System Tools > Device Manager.

Do older Cortana instructions still apply?

Microsoft has retired Cortana's standalone Windows voice-assistance app, so older Cortana launch instructions no longer apply. Open Start, search for Device Manager, and select Device Manager instead.