How do I view system information and devices in the Windows Control Panel?

The Windows Control Panel is an essential part of the Windows operating system. It is a collection of several applets that enable users to configure the settings of their computer, access the system information and view the installed devices. In this article, we will discuss how to view system information and devices in the Windows Control Panel.

System Information

The System applet in the Windows Control Panel gives users a detailed overview of the system configuration and hardware information. To access this applet, click on ‘Start’ > ‘Control Panel’ > ‘System’.

Once opened, the System applet will display the following information about the system:

Computer name: This displays the name of the computer as it appears on the network.

Operating system: The operating system installed on the computer along with the service pack level.

System type: The architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) and processor type of the system.

System Memory: The total RAM available on the computer.

Processor: The processor model and speed of the computer.

BIOS version: The basic input/output system version installed on the computer.

In addition to this, the System applet also allows users to change system settings such as the computer name, domain, and network profile.

Devices

The ‘Device Manager’ applet in the Windows Control Panel provides users with detailed information about all the hardware devices connected to their computers. To access this applet, click on ‘Start’ > ‘Control Panel’ > ‘System’ > ‘Device Manager’.

Once opened, the Device Manager applet will list all the hardware devices connected to the computer, together with information such as the device name and model, driver version, and resources allocated to the device. By clicking on a device, users can access more detailed information about it, such as the power management settings, IRQs and DMA channels used, and the device status.

The Device Manager also provides various other features, such as the ability to install drivers for devices, uninstall devices, and update drivers. Additionally, users can use the ‘Scan for hardware changes’ option to detect any newly installed devices on the computer.

In conclusion, the Windows Control Panel is an essential part of the Windows operating system. It provides several applets that allow users to view system information and manage the installed devices.