Access Device Manager When It Doesn’t Work from Control Panel

Sometimes the device manager just won’t open for whatever reason.  This happened to me before and I don’t know why.  Either way, this is how to do it without going to the control panel.  This how-to involves the use of the Microsoft Management Console.  I have no idea what it does, I just know that it will let me into the device manager.

1. Start > Run (or winkey + r)
2. Type “mmc” and click OK
3. Click File > Add/Remove Snap-in…
4. Select Device Manager from the left menu and click the Add button.
5. Click OK

The device manager should now be visible in the left pane of the mmc window.