Using the Add Hardware Wizard to Install Devices

The Windows Add Hardware Wizard is Part 3 in our Basic Computer Training Online course which we offer to you absolutely free of charge. Thanks for your continued support and please keep the suggestions rolling in.

Anyways, this is very important because it is how you will initially add troublesome hardware products that for some reason do not detect. The Add Hardware functionality is one of the most important in the Windows Operating System. Although Windows prides itself on ease of use and installation of device sometimes you have to do it yourself.

I actually have another article about troubleshooting and repairing hardware using the device manager How to use the device manager.. It is a must read if you intend on troubleshooting your own computer and installing your own devices. It is also relatively easy to use.

How to Use the Windows Add Hardware Utility

First get to the control panel by clicking start and then control panel.

Next double left click on the Add Hardware Icon. It should pull up the box below.

Of course read the warning. If your hardware came with an installation CD always use it first. That is the easiest way to do things. The add hardware wizard is a little more difficult. Oftentimes with the CD it will pretty much do everything for you if you answer the questions with the default.Always try to use typical setting on anything computer related really whether it be hardware or software. Remember keep it simple.

Let’s assume though you lost the CD. Well next you should go to the internet and search the support site for the device. Often times you can find the contents of the CD online.

Ok then worst case scenario you have to use the Add hardware wizard (plug and pray) and we lovingly refer to it in the industry. Believe me oftentimes your prayers go unanswered by the Microsoft Gods. Anyways click next and you get the box below as it searches for hardware.

If it cannot find the device it will give you the following box.

Just click yes if you have plugged in the device and if you haven’t plug the device in and then click yes. If you click no for some reason another box will appear asking you if you wish for the computer to be shut down until you hook up the device.

Go ahead and shut down the computer and then attach your device and power up the computer. Now run the above steps again.

Next you get a list of the devices installed on your computer. If you see it there (it may a question or exclamation point next it) just highlight it and click next.

Then this box will come up.

Click finish and it will take you to the next screen.

Always try to install it automatically it will scan to find the hardware and you will get the box below.

If it fails you will get this box.

Don’t take it personal just go to my article on finding and troubleshooting hardware problems and learn how to fix it when you cannot find the easy solution. Here is the link:

From Windows Add Hardware Wizard to Free Computer Help

From Windows Add Hardware Wizard to Free Computer Help Blog