How to find Hardware ID (HWID) of Devices in Windows 11

Method 1Finding the Hardware ID Using Device Manager

Device Manager serves as the central hub for all hardware within your computer. It lists every connected component, from your keyboard to your graphics card, and is the most common location for discovering a device’s HWID.

Step 1Open Device Manager

To open Device Manager quickly, press the Windows key + R on your keyboard. This action launches a small dialogue box. Enter devmgmt.msc into the box and press Enter or click OK.

Step 2Find the Device

Device Manager shows many categories like “Audio inputs and outputs” and “Display adapters.” You need to find the category that lists your specific device. For example, if you’re having trouble with your graphics card, look under “Display adapters.”

Click the small arrow next to a device category to reveal the devices listed within that category. Expanding "Display adapters," for example, might show your NVIDIA or AMD graphics card.

Step 3Open the Device’s Properties

Locate the specific device for which you need the Hardware ID. Double-click that device. The device's Properties window will appear, displaying all details about the hardware. Within the Properties window, find and click the "Details" tab.

Step 4Go to the Details Tab

In the Properties window, locate and click the “Details” tab.

Step 5Select “Hardware Ids”

You will see a field labeled “Property” with a dropdown menu. Click this menu. Scroll down and choose “Hardware Ids.”

Step 6Copy the Hardware ID

Your Hardware IDs are lines of text that appear in the "Property" menu box. The first Hardware ID listed is typically the most specific one you will need. This specific Hardware ID uses a mix of letters and numbers, frequently beginning with PCI\VEN_ or USB\VID_.

To copy a Hardware ID, right-click the Hardware ID text and select "Copy." You can then paste this Hardware ID using Ctrl+V into a document, email, or any other location where the Hardware ID is required.

Method 2Finding the Hardware ID Using PowerShell

If you are comfortable with command-line interfaces, PowerShell can efficiently retrieve the Hardware IDs for all your devices simultaneously. This approach is particularly useful if you require information for multiple components.

Step 1Open PowerShell

Right-click the ⊞ Start button (the Windows icon) and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).” If an “Admin” option is not visible, choose “Windows Terminal” or “Windows PowerShell.”

Running Windows 11 as an Administrator helps ensure you can access all system information, including hardware details. This level of access prevents potential permission errors when you try to view device properties.

Step 2Choose Your Command

When using PowerShell to find Hardware IDs, you can either see them right away in the window or save them to a file. To display all Hardware IDs directly in PowerShell, type Get-PnpDevice -PresentOnly | Select-Object Name, HardwareID | Format-Table -AutoSize and press Enter.

Option A: Display All Hardware IDs in PowerShell

You can view all Hardware IDs within the PowerShell window by entering the following command and pressing Enter: `Get-PnpDevice -PresentOnly | Select-Object -Property Name, HardwareID`. This command lists each hardware device and its unique Hardware ID, which can be useful for troubleshooting or driver installation.

Get-PnpDevice -PresentOnly | Select-Object Name, HardwareID | Format-Table -AutoSize

This command instructs Windows to list all connected devices (-PresentOnly), display their name and Hardware ID (Select-Object -Property Name,HardwareID), and then format the output neatly (Format-List).

Option B: Save All Hardware IDs to a Text File

To save the list to a text file on your Desktop for later use, enter this command and press Enter:

Get-PnpDevice -PresentOnly | Select-Object Name, HardwareID | Format-Table -AutoSize > "$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\HardwareID.txt"

This command performs the same function, but the > "$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\HardwareID.txt" portion redirects the results to a file named “HardwareID.txt” located on your Desktop.

Step 3Find the Hardware ID in the Output

The list of devices and their Hardware IDs appears after you run the PowerShell command or open the saved file. You can look through this device list to find the specific device you're interested in and note down its Hardware ID. If you saved the list, open "HardwareID.txt" with Notepad to view the device information.

Understanding What Those IDs Mean

Hardware IDs use codes like PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1B06&SUBSYS_85EA1043&REV_A1 to explain a device. PCI or USB tells you the connection type. VEN_XXXX is the Vendor ID, showing the maker like NVIDIA. DEV_XXXX is the Device ID, identifying the specific hardware model.

• PCI or USB: Shows the type of connection the device uses.
• VEN_XXXX: The Vendor ID. This is a unique code for the company that made the hardware (like NVIDIA or Intel).
• DEV_XXXX: The Device ID. This identifies the specific model of hardware from that maker.
• SUBSYS_xxxx: The Subsystem ID. This often identifies the main device or system board it’s on.
• REV_xx: The Revision number. This shows a specific version or update of the hardware.

Device VEN and DEV codes provide valuable information. You can use these codes on websites like PCI Lookup to find the specific device and its maker. This method is a good first step to locate the right drivers for your hardware.

References:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/install/hardware-ids

Summary

Finding a device’s Hardware ID (HWID) in Windows 11 helps with troubleshooting and getting drivers. You can use Device Manager by opening it (type devmgmt.msc), finding your device, going to its Properties, then the Details tab, and selecting “Hardware Ids.” Alternatively, PowerShell lets you run a command to see all Hardware IDs.