How To See Connected USB Devices On Windows 11: A Simple Guide

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5 min. read

Published on November 7, 2025

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USB devices are essential for expanding the functionality of your Windows 11 computer. From external hard drives and printers to keyboards and mice, these devices connect seamlessly to enhance your computing experience. However, sometimes you might need to see a list of all connected USB devices, whether it’s for troubleshooting, identifying a specific device, or simply managing your peripherals.

This guide will walk you through several easy methods to view all the USB devices currently connected to your Windows 11 system. Whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned pro, you’ll find these steps straightforward and helpful in managing your USB connections.

How Can I View My Connected USB Devices On Windows 11?

Using Device Manager

Device Manager is a built-in Windows tool that provides a comprehensive overview of all hardware connected to your computer, including USB devices.

Press the Windows key + X.
Select “Device Manager” from the menu.
Expand the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” section. Here, you’ll see a list of all USB controllers and connected devices.
Connected devices will appear under their respective controllers. If a device has a problem, it might be indicated with a yellow exclamation mark.

Utilizing Settings App

The Settings app also provides a way to view connected devices, although it might not be as detailed as Device Manager.

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Click on “Bluetooth & devices”.
Scroll down to the “Devices” section.
You’ll see a list of connected devices, including USB devices that Windows recognizes.

Employing USB Device Tree Viewer

For a more detailed view of your USB devices, you can use the USB Device Tree Viewer, a free tool.

Download the USB Device Tree Viewer from a trusted source (search on Bing for “USB Device Tree Viewer”).
Install and run the application.
The application displays a hierarchical tree of all USB devices connected to your system, providing detailed information about each device, including device descriptors, configuration, and endpoints.

Command Prompt Method

The Command Prompt offers a command-line way to list connected USB devices.

Press the Windows key, type “cmd,” and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
Type the following command and press Enter: wmic path Win32_USBHub get Caption, DeviceID
The command will display a list of USB hubs and connected devices, along with their captions and device IDs.

Using PowerShell

PowerShell provides a more powerful scripting environment for managing your system, including listing USB devices.

Press the Windows key, type “powershell,” and press Enter to open PowerShell.
Type the following command and press Enter: Get-WmiObject Win32_USBControllerDevice | ForEach-Object { [Wmi]$_.Dependent }
This command will list all USB controller devices and their associated information.

Tips

If a USB device isn’t showing up, try unplugging it and plugging it back in.
Make sure the device drivers are up to date. You can update drivers through Device Manager.
Test the device on another computer to rule out a hardware issue with the device itself.
Ensure the USB port is functioning correctly by testing it with another device.

Easy USB Device Management

Managing your USB devices on Windows 11 doesn’t have to be complicated. By using the methods outlined above, you can easily identify and troubleshoot any issues you might encounter with your connected peripherals.

FAQ

How do I update the drivers for my USB device?

Open Device Manager, find your device, right-click, and select “Update driver.” You can choose to search automatically for drivers or browse your computer for driver software.

Why is my USB device not showing up in Device Manager?

It could be a driver issue, a problem with the USB port, or a hardware failure. Try troubleshooting steps like updating drivers, testing a different port, or testing the device on another computer.

Can I disable a USB port in Windows 11?

Yes, you can disable a USB port in Device Manager. Find the USB controller for the port you want to disable, right-click, and select “Disable device.”

What is a USB hub?

A USB hub is a device that expands the number of USB ports available on your computer. It connects to a single USB port and provides multiple ports for connecting additional devices.

How can I safely remove a USB device from Windows 11?

Click the “Show hidden icons” arrow in the taskbar, then click the “Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media” icon. Select the device you want to remove and wait for the notification that it’s safe to remove the device.

USB Connection Methods Compared

Feature	Device Manager	Settings App	USB Device Tree Viewer	Command Prompt	PowerShell
Detail Level	High	Medium	Very High	Medium	High
Ease of Use	Moderate	Easy	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Information Gained	Device status, driver information	Basic device listing	Detailed device descriptors, configurations	Device captions, device IDs	USB controller device information
Best Use Case	Troubleshooting, driver management	Quick device overview	Advanced device analysis	Quick device listing	Advanced scripting, device management