How to Check Hardware ID of a Device in Windows 11

When you need to manually install drivers, troubleshoot unknown devices, or identify hardware that Windows can’t recognize, checking the Hardware ID is one of the most reliable ways to figure out exactly what component you’re dealing with. Hardware IDs tell you the vendor, device model, and subsystem information—helping you download the correct driver or confirm compatibility.

Windows 11 makes it easy to find Hardware IDs using Device Manager, and you don’t need any third-party tools. In this guide, we walk you through all the detailed steps to check the Hardware ID of any device on your PC.

Check Hardware ID of a Device in Windows

To follow this guide, you’ll need a PC with administrator access and the device you want to inspect already connected or installed. This could be anything—USB devices, Bluetooth hardware, graphics cards, network adapters, or unknown devices showing a yellow warning icon in Device Manager. Once you have that ready, you can proceed with the steps below.

1. Check Hardware ID Using Device Manager (Fastest Method)

Device Manager is the most direct way to find any device’s hardware ID.

1. Press Windows + X on your keyboard.
2. Select Device Manager from the menu.
3. Expand the category of the device you want to inspect.
   • For example, expand Display adapters, Network adapters, or Universal Serial Bus controllers.
4. Right-click the device and choose Properties.
5. Switch to the Details tab at the top.
6. Click the Property dropdown.
7. Select Hardware Ids from the list.
8. Under Value, you’ll see several IDs such as: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1F15&SUBSYS_3FC01462&REV_A1

The first ID is the most specific and most useful for driver downloads.

2. Understand What the Hardware ID Means

Hardware IDs may look confusing, but they follow a clear format.

Example Hardware ID

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_15F3&SUBSYS_00008086&REV_10

Meaning

• PCI = Bus type
• VEN_8086 = Vendor ID (Intel)
• DEV_15F3 = Device ID (specific chipset or controller)
• SUBSYS = Subsystem ID (OEM-specific version)
• REV = Revision number

You can copy this ID and search for compatible drivers online.

3. Copy Hardware ID for Driver Searches

Copying the ID helps you search Google or manufacturer websites for exact drivers.

1. In the Hardware Ids list, right-click the first value.
2. Select Copy.
3. Paste it into a browser search or support website.

This helps you identify unknown devices or find drivers for older hardware.

4. Check Compatible and Matching IDs

Device Manager also shows related IDs that Windows uses to match drivers.

1. Open the Property dropdown again.
2. Select Compatible Ids.
3. Review the list of IDs.

These IDs help Windows install drivers even if the hardware ID doesn’t match perfectly.

5. Check Hardware ID Using PowerShell

If Device Manager isn’t showing proper information, PowerShell can list hardware IDs.

1. Right-click the Start button.
2. Choose Windows Terminal (PowerShell).
3. Run the following command:

Get-PnpDeviceProperty -InstanceId (Get-PnpDevice | Select-Object -ExpandInstanceId) -KeyName DEVPKEY_Device_HardwareIds

This displays a long list of hardware IDs for all connected devices.

To get a specific device, specify its instance:

Get-PnpDevice | Where-Object {$_.FriendlyName -like "*Network*"} | Get-PnpDeviceProperty -KeyName DEVPKEY_Device_HardwareIds

6. Check Hardware ID Using Command Prompt

You can query hardware ID details using WMIC.

1. Open Command Prompt as admin.
2. Run this command:

wmic path Win32_PnPEntity get DeviceID

This lists all device IDs. You can copy individual entries for further inspection.

7. Use Hardware ID to Identify Unknown Devices

If you see an “Unknown device” with a yellow warning icon, hardware ID lookup helps you identify it.

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Right-click the Unknown device.
3. Select Properties.
4. Go to Details > Hardware Ids.
5. Copy the first ID.
6. Paste it into Google or into websites like:
   • devicehunt.com
   • pci-ids.ucw.cz

This will tell you exactly what driver you need.

8. Install the Correct Driver Using Hardware ID

Once you identify the device, you can manually install drivers.

1. Download the appropriate driver from:
   • Intel
   • AMD
   • NVIDIA
   • Realtek
   • Dell / HP / Lenovo / ASUS / Acer
2. Open the driver installer and follow the instructions.
3. If using a .inf file:
   • Right-click the device in Device Manager.
   • Select Update driver.
   • Choose Browse my computer for drivers.
   • Select the downloaded folder.
4. Install the driver and restart your PC.

Hardware ID matching ensures driver compatibility even for legacy hardware.

Wrapping Up

Checking the Hardware ID of a device in Windows 11 is one of the most reliable ways to identify unknown hardware, install the correct drivers, and diagnose device problems.

Whether you use Device Manager, PowerShell, or Command Prompt, the hardware ID gives you the exact vendor and device details you need to find matching drivers. Once you understand how to use the ID, troubleshooting hardware issues becomes much easier.