How to Launch the Properties Window of a Device Listed in Device Manager from LabVIEW

[Hillman]

Overview

This example launches the Properties Window of a Device Listed in Device Manager from LabVIEW

Description

How can an application in LabVIEW open Windows Device Manager and view the properties of a specific device. There are a few approaches that can be used.

Firstly, there is the DevCon command-line utility which functions as an alternative to Device Manager available from the Microsoft website.

Microsoft:The DevCon command-line utility functions as an alternative to Device Manager

Then by using the System Exec.vi these command-lines can created by LabVIEW. Please refer to the following document from the Microsoft support pages for more information on how to invoke the Device Manager dll (devmgr.dll) from the command line.

 Microsoft: How to invoke the device Properties dialog box from the application or from a command pro...

 Secondly, you can use the attached example Device Properties 2012 NIVerified.vi (formerly named Call Library Node.vi)

Requirements

 LabVIEW Full Development System 2012 or compatible, Microsoft Windows OS

Steps to Implement or Execute Code

1. Enter the Device Instance Path/ID. Can be found at: Windows Device Manager>>(select   device)>>Properties>>Details>>Device Instance Path>>Right click>>Copy
2. Enter Show Device Manager value, 0=Show Properties Window dialog box and 1=Show Device Manager
3. Open Block Diagram, make sure the FindWindow refers to the %Windows\System32\user32.dll. Also, the devmgr.dll:DevicePropertiesA refers to %Windows\System32\devmgr.dll
4. Run the VI and the device Properties Window will open

Notes
The Device Instance Path often looks like the below
PCI\VEN_xxxx&DEV_xxxx&SUBSYS_xxxx&REV_xx 

Additional Information or References

VI Block Diagram

 

**This document has been updated to meet the current required format for the NI Code Exchange. **

[Meng-Shiang.Lin]

A good and useful instruction, but I can't open this vi with LabVIEW 8.5.1.

[San_Punt]

very nice, thanks