How to Find Drivers Based on the Device Instance ID

If you're attempting to find a device driver by the device instance ID of the piece of hardware the driver is associated with, you can use Device Manager. Device Manager lets you see a comprehensive list of every device on your computer. By viewing the properties of that drive, you also can see the device instance ID it is associated with. So with a little trial and error, you can find the driver that matches the ID that you already know.

• 1

  Right-click the "My Computer" desktop icon. Click "Properties."

• 2

  Click the "Hardware" tab.

• 3

  Click the "Device Manager" button.

• 4

  Right-click on the first driver in the list in the main Device Manager window. Click "Properties." Click on the "Details" tab. This will show you the device instance ID for the driver that you are looking at. If this device instance ID matches the device instance ID you already know, your task is complete. If it does not, close the driver "Properties" window and return to the main Device Manager window. Repeat this step until you locate the device driver that matches the device instance ID you have on file.