How to Scan Windows 7 Computer for Newly Attached Hardware?

Windows 7 is although quite sensitive when it comes to detection of new hardware devices. As soon as a user connects a new hardware device to a Windows 7 computer the operating system automatically detects it and searches for appropriate drivers within its own driver database. Once it finds a suitable driver for the newly attached device it automatically installs the driver. However there are times when Windows 7 fails to detect any hardware device attached to the computer. When this is the case administrators can make Windows 7 computer search for the device manually. As an administrator you can do so by following the steps given below:

1. Logon to the computer with administrator account and click on Start button.
2. From the start menu right click on Computer and from the appeared menu click on Manage.
3. On Computer Management snap-in in the left pane click on Device Manager and from the right pane right click on the name of your computer (which will be at the top of the list).
4. From the menu click on Scan for hardware changes and follow the instructions on your computer screen.

Note:

This hardware detection process will only install the drivers that are available in Windows 7 driver database. In case any device driver is not available in the database you need to insert the driver installation disk to complete the device installation process.