Windows 8 includes an auto-discovery feature
that scans for all devices connected to your PC or your network,
detecting and installing printers, TVs, Xbox systems, and more. This
means that Windows 8 may be able to find and install all your computer
peripherals automatically, without you doing anything at all! All things
in life should be so simple.
Using the tools in Windows 8, you can check
to see which devices Windows 8 has discovered and added automatically.
You can then add a device if you have one that isn’t included on the
generated list.
>>>step-by-step: Viewing Installed Devices
You can take a look at
the devices that Windows 8 has found and installed automatically as part
of your setup. And then, if needed, you can add a device or remove
devices that were added that you no longer need. You’ll find the Devices
setting in the PC Settings screen.
1. On the Windows 8 Start screen, swipe in from the right or press Windows+C to display the Charms bar.
2. Tap or click Settings.
3. Tap or click More PC Settings. The PC Settings window appears.
4. Tap
or click Devices in the categories on the left. The devices installed
with Windows 8 appear on the right side of the window.
Checking Device Status
Notice that for some
of the devices in the list, a status indicator shows whether the device
is ready, offline, or needs your attention. This helps you know, for
example, whether your printer is turned on and ready to receive files
you send to be printed.
Adding a Device
If
Windows 8 missed one of the devices that you feel should be on the
device list, you can scan again to see whether the device is
discoverable. Before you tap or click Add a Device, be sure that the
device is connected to your computer or your home network and turned on.
After you choose Add a Device, Windows 8 will scan your computer and
display any found devices in a popup list. You can then select the item
you want to add to the Devices list in Windows 8.
