How to Open Devices and Printers in Windows 11
The Devices and Printers window in Windows 11 is a classic control panel tool that gathers connected hardware like printers, scanners, and Bluetooth accessories into one screen so you can check ink levels or remove old gear. Windows 11 buries this utility deep inside modern settings menus, but you can bypass them entirely by running a quick shortcut command.
Press the Win+R on your keyboard to open the Run box, type control printers, and hit Enter to launch the window instantly. This method works on all versions of Windows 11 and saves you from clicking through multiple menus to manage your hardware.
Open Devices and Printers in Windows 11 via Settings by navigating to Bluetooth & devices, then Devices, and finally More devices and printers settings. Alternatively, press Win+R, type control printers, and press Enter.
Open Devices and Printers Using the Settings App
The Windows 11 Settings app provides a direct path to open devices and printers for managing your hardware. Press the Win plus I on your keyboard to open Settings , select Bluetooth and devices on the left menu, and click more devices and printers settings to find your connected printers and peripherals.
- Open the Settings app:
- Click the Start button , then click Settings .
- Or press Win+I on your keyboard to open Settings quickly.
- In Settings, click Bluetooth & devices on the left side.
- On the right side, find and click the Devices section to open it.
- Next, click More devices and printers settings.
Connected devices and printers appear directly inside this folder once it launches.
Open Devices and Printers Using the Run Box
The Run box offers the fastest way to open devices and printers in Windows 11 by bypassing the main menus entirely. Press the Windows key plus R to open the Run dialog box, paste the shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A} command into the field, and press Enter to launch the classic hardware folder immediately.
- Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.
- Copy and paste this command into the box:
shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A} - Press Enter or click OK.
That completes the process, leaving the folder open on screen.
Summary
The Devices and Printers folder in Windows 11 acts as a central hub for managing all hardware connected to your computer, including printers, scanners, and external devices. You can open devices and printers quickly using either the main Settings app or a direct command through the Run dialog box.- The Devices and Printers folder lets you see and manage all devices and printers connected to your PC.
- You can open it from the Windows Settings app by going to Bluetooth & devices > Devices > More devices and printers settings.
- Or open it faster using the Run box with this command:
shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A} - Try both ways and use whichever one is easier for you!
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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