If you wish to find out which hardware components are installed in your computer, there are several methods you can use. Here are the most common methods for discovering what hardware is currently installed on your computer:
1. Check the Device Manager
The simplest way to determine what hardware is installed in your computer is to check the Windows Device Manager.
To access the Device Manager, right-click the Start button and select Device Manager or press the Windows+R keys on your keyboard and type devmgmt.msc in the Run box that appears.
In the Device Manager window, you will see a list of all the hardware components installed in your computer, neatly listed into sections according to their type. As you expand each section, you will be able to view the specific hardware device model together with its manufacturer/vendor details.
2. System Information Tool
Another useful tool for determining which hardware components are present in your system is the Windows System Information tool. To access it, press the Windows+R keys and type msinfo32 in the Run box.
Once the System Information window opens, you will see a list of all your hardware components in the System Summary section. The information provided here is more detailed than that presented in the Device Manager. It also shows the exact version number of the drivers installed and the current driver date.
3. Manufacturers’ Software
Many hardware devices (e.g., Verbatim external hard drives) come with their own software which can be used to view device information. In most cases, these manufacturer’s software programs provide detailed information about the device, such as vendor and serial numbers, capacity, etc.
You can also use manufacturer’s software programs to update device drivers or run diagnostics tests. However, this is only possible if the device’s manufacturer provides such a utility.
4. System Profiler
Another method for discovering what hardware is installed in your computer is to use the System Profiler tool. This tool is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Once you’ve downloaded and run the System Profiler, you will be presented with a list of all the hardware components installed in your system. The list will provide detailed information such as device model, manufacturer, driver version, and serial number.
5. Visual Inspection
Finally, if all else fails, you can always look inside your computer case and try to identify the hardware components visually. This is a bit tricky, as the markings on many hardware components are quite small. However, if you are familiar with the general layout of a typical computer, you should be able to identify the main components such as the motherboard, RAM, power supply, graphics card, etc.
If you’re still unsure as to which hardware device is installed on your computer, you can always consult an experienced technician or customer service representative.