Hardware Manager allows you to check and update drivers for connected devices detected by the system. This system tool is often useful for troubleshooting problems, so information on how to open Device Manager will be helpful to all users.
Windows interface
Most quick way enable device manager - right-click on the "Computer" icon and select "Control" in the context menu. In the appeared window "Computer Management" in the menu on the left, select "Device Manager".
You can go a little longer and start the manager through the "Control Panel":
If this method does not work, try calling the hardware manager directly from the "system32" folder. It doesn't matter what system you have installed: XP, Windows 7 or "ten". The path to the executable file of the tool for working with the equipment remains unchanged.
The hardware manager will appear on the screen, with which you can work further, making changes to software connected devices.
Run menu
Another way that works for everyone, without exception Windows versions(from XP to Windows 10) is to use the "Run" window, which can be opened through Start or launched using the Win + R combination.
Through Run, any programs, system tools and folders are included - you just need to correctly specify the launch command.
Using the command line
Let's try to launch Device Manager from the command line. First you need to open the command interpreter window itself. On Windows XP, for example, this is done through the Start menu, where among standard programs there is a command line. 
On other versions of Windows, you can use the built-in search box or the above Run menu by specifying cmd. Also, the command line is system application, whose executive file is stored in the "system32" folder in the "Windows" directory. Go here and double-click on the cmd.exe file to go to work with the interpreter Windows commands.
To open the hardware manager via command line you need to enter the same command as in the "Run" window - "devmgmt.msc". After pressing the Enter key, a list of all connected devices with which you can work will appear.
Win + X menu
Windows 8 has a new convenient navigation menu for system tools, which is invoked by the Win + X keyboard shortcut. In previous versions, this menu does not work, but it is preserved in the "top ten", where it can also be called by right-clicking on "Start". 
In the context menu Win + X, among other things, there is a link to the device manager - click on it to see a list of connected equipment on the screen.
Making changes to the registry
The first method describes how to start the hardware manager through the "Control" section of the "Computer" context menu. But if you make small changes to system registry, then you do not have to open the "Control" window - the "Device Manager" item will be immediately displayed in the context menu:
After completing these steps, a link to the Hardware Manager will appear in the Computer context menu next to the Management tool, which you can use if necessary.
19.10.2016
Device Manager - Built-in Windows utility, contains a set of functions for monitoring computer operation and an easy-to-understand interface. Responsible for the correct operation of the video card, network adapter, processor, monitor, printer, etc. connected to the computer. The hardware information is stored in this program. Here we edit the properties of each connected equipment, update and reinstall the drivers.
Unlike other built-in Windows programs The task manager has undergone fewer changes. There are no visual changes since the release of Windows 98.
The device manager is responsible for the performance and management of the equipment connected to the computer. Here we check how the device works, whether the driver is installed correctly, reinstall it, etc. The first step when checking the performance of a mouse, flash drive and web camera is to open the device manager. Here you can immediately see if the device is working properly or not. Appropriate labels and driver descriptions will give you an idea of this. To get started, launch the device manager. This is described in detail below, but if you know how to do it, scroll down the page. Although even an advanced user will find something interesting for himself. As the saying goes - “the new is the well-forgotten old”.
Devices in the device manager are sorted by sections, and to open the section with video adapters, click on it with the mouse. In general, the device manager contains information about central processing unit, video card, sound card, network adapter, hard disk, etc. Runs only with administrator rights.
How to open device manager
OS developers are constantly improving, simplifying and adding new features to Windows. We look below 8 different instructions for launching the Task Manager and choose the one you like to taste. I paint from simple to more complex.
- Using the Run window.
We call the Run window using the hotkeys Win + R and enter the command devmgmt.msc and press Enter. - Through the command line.
Run the command line and enter the name of the utility - devmgmt.msc and press Enter. 
- For Windows XP.
Working with Device Manager
Installing and updating drivers
You need to install the drivers from the disks that came with the computer when you bought it. If there are no disks, open the case and look at the motherboard model. Download drivers on the official website of the equipment manufacturer.
After installing the necessary drivers, the hardware is detected in the Device Manager.
By right-clicking on the required equipment, we open the menu where the program controls the device. Here we update the drivers. Have Microsoft base drivers have their own. However, it is better to use the drivers from the device manufacturer's website.
Rolling back the driver
You may face the problem that the device, after updating the driver, will not work correctly, give errors and not execute the necessary commands. For such cases, the Device Manager provides a function to roll back the updated driver. Right-click on the incorrectly working device and select Roll Back. The utility will restore previous version driver before updating.
Removing the driver
If the device does not work correctly, remove the device driver and then reinstall it. Right-click on the device we need and click Delete. The device driver will be removed, just remember that after this action you need to install new driver which is already cooked.
Before uninstalling the driver, the system will display a message that needs to be confirmed. We give an affirmative answer and remove the driver. Just remember that after this operation the device will be completely removed from the system and it will be impossible to use it.
Device Manager is a Windows system utility, simple but very main part operating system. Here we configure the equipment, install or remove the driver, and even without using third-party software. Therefore, we use the data Windows component carefully. We will be attentive to details and take action. Only in this case the system setup will be successful and fruitful.
VIA HD Audio Deck is official driver which controls the audio output on computers with motherboard with built-in VIA sound chip.
The program provides fine tuning of parameters for output and input sound. The sound driver is installed with the utilities for the computer. The program is distributed for free and does not require registration.
In the utility interface, you can set the configuration for devices that record and play sound. There is a section in the driver settings for configuring "sound" ports. The graphical shell and utility tabs are easy to understand. Even a beginner can figure out the options.
Installation and capabilities
The program is installed with the default sound drivers. On the menu installation disk with drivers there is a selection of necessary components and sound utilities. After installing the sound drivers, restart the Windows OS to activate the drivers. The shell and utility tabs do not contain unnecessary settings.In the main window of the program there is multifunctional menu... You go to options and set the volume "levers", adjust the equalizer and speaker settings. If necessary, you can specify surround sound and view the technical data about the sound card.
There is a setting in the side panel that controls the analog audio output. If necessary, you turn off the driver power for the selected ports and turn off the devices connected to them. The ports icon is displayed in a convenient "place" and corresponds to the location on the computer's motherboard. Additional options include a choice of front and rear panel for mute.
Additional tools
Additional tools of the utility are a mixer with stereo set-up and an "amplifier" that amplifies the dB of the microphone. In sound drivers, you adjust the settings in the main window and through the context menu of the icon in the notification area on the taskbar.Key features
- setting up and managing sound drivers on motherboards with built-in sound card VIA;
- support for balance control and stereo mixer;
- activation and deactivation of audio outputs in analog format;
- fast audio gain configuration for devices that play and record sound;
- installation in a package with drivers from the creator of VIA;
- the sound driver works on OS Windows 7 and above.
Device Manager is a component of the Windows operating system that is designed to manage devices connected to your computer. Device Manager first appeared in Windows 95 and was later added in Windows 2000. In NT versions of the Windows operating system, it appeared as a snap-in for the Microsoft Management Console.
All connected devices are displayed in the Device Manager. Here you can determine if the connected device is working properly, change its operation parameters, and install or remove drivers. In order to determine how the device works, you just need to pay attention to its icon. If the device does not work properly, then in the Device Manager it will be indicated by an icon with a black exclamation mark inside yellow triangle... If the device is not recognized by the operating system, it will be indicated with a yellow question mark. A disabled device is indicated by a red cross or a gray down arrow. Knowing these designations, you can quickly determine with which device there are problems and what needs to be done to solve them.
In many of the instructions for setting up the Windows operating system that are published on the Internet, you can find recommendations for using Device Manager. But, it is far from always the user is explained in sufficient detail how to open the Device Manager, what it is and how to work with it.
In this article, we will try to close this gap by describing all the main ways to open Device Manager in all major versions of the Windows operating system.
How to open Device Manager in Windows 10 or Windows 8
If you are using the Windows 10 or Windows 8 operating system, then you can open Device Manager using the new menu, which opens using the combination Windows-X keys or by right-clicking on the "START" menu.
This menu appeared in Windows 8 and has been available in all versions of Windows ever since. In addition to the Device Manager, you can use it to open other standard utilities operating system Windows. For example, using this menu you can open Power Management, View Events, Network connections, Disk Management, Computer Management, etc.
How to open Device Manager in Windows 7
You can open Device Manager in Windows 7 different ways... The following algorithm is most often used: open and open the section “ system and safety».
In chapter " system and safety"Open the" System "section.
After that, a window with the main characteristics will open. this computer... Here you need to click on the link " Device Manager", Which is located on the left side of the window.
After that, the Manager window will open in front of you Windows devices 7.
How to open Device Manager in Windows XP
In Windows XP, Device Manager opens in a similar way. First, open the Start menu and go to the Control Panel. Open the "System" section in the Control Panel.
After that, a window will open in front of you " Properties of the system". Here you need to go to the "Equipment" tab.
On the equipment tab, click on the " Device Manager».
After that, the Device Manager window will open in front of you.
How to open Device Manager using the command
There are also universal ways opening Device Manager that work in any version of Windows. For example, this can be done by running the command "mmc devmgmt.msc". To do this, open the Run menu (Windows-R keyboard shortcut) or Command Prompt and enter "mmc devmgmt.msc". This command works on Windows 10, Windows 7 and Windows XP.
IN operating system Windows 7, as well as newer versions of Windows, can be used to open Device Manager search string... To do this, you just need to open the Start menu and enter the phrase "Device Manager" in the search, and then open the program suggested by the system.
If you have Windows 8, which does not have a Start menu, then you can enter the phrase "Device Manager" in the search form on the start screen.
Hello everyone. Visiting us is the great-grandfather of computers, so to speak, this is VIA, I don’t know about you, but I associate it with old, but FAVORITE computers. Old computer, eh, I played games on it after school, yes, a computer ten years ago it was a SCHOOL DREAM BOTTOM ... But time has passed. So. The VIA company itself is not bad, but it has a very narrow direction. VIA makes some kind of chips, but it definitely does audio chips. And there is also a processor from VIA, it seems to be called C7, well, this is generally such a slow percentage that it is kapets. But it seems to be not intended for ordinary computers, it seems to be for store computers, there are banking terminals, well, that is. In general, VIA processors are weak for home computers. Pts weak
By the way, I had the good fortune to get acquainted with an ancient board, there was a Pentium 3 and there was a sound chip from VIA, well, of course, there was no sound at all. Well, what to do, at that time, and this is somewhere in 2002-2003, then they did not pay much attention to the sound. The main thing is GAMES !!!
So if you see something like VIA Dispatcher platform devices, then you have some kind of chip from VIA on the motherboard. I don't think it's an audio chip, maybe it's a FireWire chip, by the way, how it looks like:
From VIA, you may have some other SATA chip, or rather not even a chip, but a controller. IT IS POSSIBLE that you have from VIA LAN card, although this is not often the case ..
Guys, I do not recommend deleting everything related to VIA, especially VIA Platform Device Manager. What is it, then it is so difficult to say. This is something like drivers for a chip, maybe for some kind of bridge (north or south). Although I don't know, did VIA make bridges? OK
Look, here is an example of a motherboard from VIA, here is a video chip from VIA, an audio chip and even a processor (if I'm not mistaken) here is also from VIA:
On such a motherboard, or rather such a computer, I think you can install Windows XP, but it will work well, very slowly. Or rather not, it can work quickly, but I will slow down the programs in it, to put it mildly ...
And if you have some kind of program from VIA, then it may be unnecessary, yes! But there is also a joke here, if you delete it, then it can drag the drivers along with it, as a result, something will stop working for you .. If the network card stops working (provided that it is from VIA), then you will lose the Internet , do you understand the danger ?! Look, here is the installation window for ancient VIA drivers:
A network card from VIA can really be:
Another example, there is already Windows XP and it also has a network card from VIA:
CONCLUSION: if you delete the VIA Platform Device Manager, then there may be jambs, the Internet may disappear, the sound may disappear, and maybe some other glitch will come out !!!
Well guys, I convinced you that removing the VIA Platform Device Manager is not worth it, because there may be problems? I hope I convinced you. Look, here is Windows 7 and there is something like VIA HD Audio Deck in the Control Panel (it seems to be a soundtrack).
