DevManView - System Device Viewer for Windows

Understanding and Enhancing Device Management in Windows

For anyone who has ever needed to diagnose issues with computer hardware, the Windows Device Manager is likely a familiar tool. It’s a built-in utility within Windows operating systems, designed to allow users to examine all connected devices, their properties, and potential conflicts.

Despite its accessibility, the standard Windows Device Manager often proves insufficient for more detailed analysis. While its categorization of devices is commendable, its functionality beyond basic navigation is limited.

Limitations of the Standard Device Manager

Locating specific device information or properties requires navigating through multiple screens. Furthermore, there isn't a direct method to export device data for record-keeping or system documentation.

This lack of export capability can be a significant drawback when attempting to archive system configurations or share hardware details.

Introducing Device Manager View (DevManView)

To address these shortcomings, the free utility Device Manager View (DevManView) developed by NirSoft, offers a powerful alternative. It provides rapid access to comprehensive device information.

DevManView distinguishes itself by offering both a graphical user interface (GUI) and scripting capabilities for generating reports on device data.

Streamlined Driver Information Access

When driver updates are needed, users have several options. They can consult resources previously detailed by Saikat, or leverage DevManView to instantly initiate driver searches on Google.

This integrated search functionality simplifies the process of finding and installing the latest drivers for your hardware components.

Key Benefits of DevManView

Fast Access: Quickly view details for all devices.
Comprehensive Information: Access a wealth of device properties.
Reporting Options: Generate reports via GUI or scripting.
Driver Search: Instantly search for drivers online.

DevManView serves as a valuable enhancement to the standard Windows Device Manager, particularly for users who require more in-depth hardware management capabilities.

Effortlessly Examine System Device Details

Downloading the DevManView system device manager doesn't necessitate any installation procedures. Simply execute the program file. Upon launching, a comprehensive list of your system’s device drivers will be presented, accompanied by a wealth of detailed information. It’s important to scroll horizontally, as numerous columns contain data for each driver.

A variety of actions can be performed on any driver with minimal effort. A right-click on any device provides immediate options to enable or disable it. Multiple devices can be selected simultaneously, and then either F6 or F7 can be pressed to enable or disable them all at once. Furthermore, you can readily access the device’s INF file, examine registry settings, or initiate an instant web search for the specific driver via the "Google Search" function.

Selecting "Properties" reveals information that would typically require extensive navigation within the standard Windows Manager. DevManView consolidates the Manufacturer, flags, service details, and numerous other pertinent data points into a single, easily accessible view.

Although the primary interface isn't structured identically to the built-in Windows Manager, devices displayed can be filtered using the "Options" menu. This allows for a more focused view.

Provided a firewall allows access on a remote computer, it’s even possible to access and modify device drivers on that system remotely. This offers a streamlined method for managing devices across multiple computers within a network from a central location.

Exporting Device Details with DevManView

A primary advantage of utilizing DevManView compared to the built-in Windows Device Manager lies in its streamlined device information export capabilities. The standard Windows Device Manager lacks a straightforward method for saving device details, whereas DevManView presents a comprehensive selection of export formats.

These formats include plain text, tab-separated values, comma-separated values, and even HTML, offering flexibility in how you document your system’s hardware.

Generating Device Reports

To save information pertaining to specific devices, rather than a complete system inventory, simply select the desired devices using the CTRL key while clicking. Then, navigate to the "View" menu to initiate the export process to an HTML file.

The resulting report is saved as a local HTML file within the DevManView installation directory and is automatically opened in your default web browser for convenient viewing.

Simple Export: DevManView simplifies the process of documenting hardware configurations.
Multiple Formats: A variety of export options are available to suit different needs.
Selective Reporting: Focus on specific devices instead of generating a full system report.

This feature is particularly useful for troubleshooting, system documentation, or creating hardware inventories. The ability to quickly generate a detailed report of device information is a significant benefit of using DevManView.

Device Information Access via Scripting

For users who favor scripting over graphical user interfaces, DevManView provides robust capabilities. Through the command prompt, a comprehensive array of commands can be executed on your devices.

Alternatively, the program can be leveraged to generate device reports directly from scripts. Parameters such as /stext, /scomma, or /shtml allow you to specify the desired export format for your device data.

Further command-line parameters include /LoadFrom, which facilitates loading device information from remote computers. The /ComputerName parameter enables targeting specific network computers for device commands.

You can also utilize /ShowOnlyConnected to filter output, displaying only currently connected drivers. Device enabling and disabling can be automated through scripts using the /enable and /disable parameters, respectively.

A complete listing of available command parameters is conveniently located within the readme.txt file included with the DevManView download.

Exporting your complete device information to a format like CSV offers significant advantages. This allows for the creation of insightful reports using text editors or spreadsheet software.

Such reports provide a precise record of your system's configuration at a given moment. DevManView offers a streamlined method for accessing system device information, bypassing the need to navigate the standard Windows Device Manager.

Benefits for System Administrators

Managing numerous computer systems is simplified.
Maintaining an accurate hardware inventory becomes more efficient.
The report generation features are invaluable for system documentation.

DevManView is a valuable Windows utility worth exploring. We encourage you to test its features and share your experiences.

Have you explored other utilities from NirSoft? We invite you to share your thoughts on DevManView and other NirSoft Windows tools in the comments below.

Image Credit: Majoros Attila