Q. How can I use the registry to make Device Manager show hidden devices?

I first discussed showing hidden devices at Device Manager does not display all currently installed devices?

Using REG.EXE, built into Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and later operating systems, or installed from the Windows 2000 Support Tools, you can show hidden devices by running the following command and pressing Enter:

REG ADD "HKLMSYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlSession ManagerEnvironment" /V devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices /T REG_DWORD /F /D 1

NOTE: You will need to restart your computer for this change to become effective.

NOTE: You can include the above command in a Startup script.