How to enable or disable a device in Device Manager.

Choose the appropriate procedure below.

Enable a device.

NOTE: If prompted for an administrator password or a User Account Control prompt is displayed, type the appropriate password, or click Yes.

1. Click the Start button and then click Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, click Hardware and Sound.
3. In the Hardware and Sound window, under Devices and Printers, click Device Manager.
4. In the Device Manager window, double-click the category icon of the device to be enabled.
5. Under the Device Manager category, click to select the device to be enabled.
6. On the menu bar, click Action and then click Enable.

Disable a device.

NOTE: If prompted for an administrator password or a User Account Control prompt is displayed, type the appropriate password, or click Yes.

1. Click the Start button and then click Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, click Hardware and Sound.
3. In the Hardware and Sound window, under Devices and Printers, click Device Manager.
4. In the Device Manager window, double-click the category icon of the device to be disabled.
5. Under the Device Manager category, click to select the device to be disabled.
6. On the menu bar, click Action and then click Disable.
7. Choose Yes at the warning window to disable the device.