There are a variety of methods to identify the hardware components present in a Windows operating system.
1. Device Manager
The Device Manager is an interface provided by Microsoft in which users can view, configure and manage the hardware devices attached to their computer. To access the Device Manager, open the Control Panel, then select System and Security and finally, select Device Manager. Here, users will be able to view all of the physical components that are attached to their system, such as external USB devices, keyboards, mice and more. All of the components have their own icon, and some even have sub-details that can be displayed by clicking the plus (+) symbol next to them.
2. Using PowerShell
Windows PowerShell is a powerful scripting language that comes integrated with all versions of Windows. Using the Get-CimInstance command, users can query for the details of all of the hardware components present on their system, such as the CPU, RAM and hard drive. This command also allows users to filter the results, so they can narrow down the results to just the device they are looking for.
3. Using System Information
System Information is a built-in utility in Windows that provides details regarding the hardware and software components of the system. To access this feature, open the Start menu, type “System Information” and launch the utility. Here, users will be able to view detailed information about the components present on their system.
4. System Profiler
The System Profiler is a feature available in Windows 10 that can provide detailed information about all of the hardware devices connected to the system. To access this feature, open the Start menu, and search for “System Profiler”. Here, users will be able to view all of the components available to the system, such as the memory, storage and processor. Additionally, users can also get details regarding the version of the component, the driver, and the manufacturer.
5. Third-Party Software
There are also several third-party applications available that can provide detailed information about the hardware components present in a Windows system. These applications can provide detailed reports on all of the hardware components, and can even provide helpful diagnostic tools to help users troubleshoot any problems that may arise. Additionally, some applications can even provide information about the BIOS, and can even be used to update the firmware.