USBVIEW
Explore and Troubleshoot Your USB Devices with Ease
A free Microsoft utility that reveals detailed insights into every USB controller, hub, and device on your Windows system. Perfect for IT professionals, developers, and power users.
What is USBView
USBView (USB System Viewer) is a free diagnostic tool from Microsoft that displays detailed information about all USB controllers and connected devices on a Windows system. Originally included in the Windows Driver Kit (WDK), it’s now available as a standalone utility.
For IT professionals, developers, and advanced users, USBView is an invaluable way to explore the structure of USB devices, their descriptors, and connection details in a clean, tree-like interface.
Why Use USBView
- Device detection – See every USB device connected to your system, even those not recognized by Windows.
- Detailed descriptors – View manufacturer IDs, product IDs, serial numbers, and USB specification compliance.
- Driver troubleshooting – Verify whether a device has been assigned a driver and check its status.
- Power and bandwidth insights – Inspect power requirements and connection speed (Low/Full/High/SuperSpeed).
- Development support – Essential for USB driver developers who need to test and debug USB hardware.
Key Features of USBView
- Error detection support – Helps locate devices that are connected but malfunctioning or unrecognized by the OS.
- Portable and lightweight – Requires no installation; simply run the executable.
- Tree-based USB topology view – Displays all USB controllers, hubs, and connected devices in a clear hierarchical layout.
- Detailed device descriptors – Shows vendor ID (VID), product ID (PID), device class, serial number, and supported USB version.
- Configuration and interface data – Provides insights into device configurations, interfaces, and endpoints for developers.
- Power requirement reporting – Displays the amount of power each device requests, helping diagnose power-related issues.
- Connection speed detection – Identifies whether a device is running at Low, Full, High, or standalone. SuperSpeed (USB 3.x).
- Free and official tool – Distributed by Microsoft as part of the Windows Driver Kit (WDK) or standalone.
- Driver status check – Confirms whether Windows has assigned a driver and if it is functioning properly.
Downloading and Installing USBView
- Go to Microsoft’s official USBView download page
- Download the latest release of the tool.
- Extract the archive to your preferred folder.
- Launch USBView.exe – no installation required.
How to Use USBView
Step 1: Launch USBView
Run the executable file. The left-hand pane shows a hierarchical tree of USB controllers, hubs, and connected devices.
Step 2: Explore USB topology
Expand each node to view hubs, ports, and attached devices. This helps visualize how devices are connected within your system.
Step 3: Review device details
Click a device to see technical descriptors on the right-hand pane, including:
- Vendor ID (VID) and Product ID (PID)
- Device class, subclass, and protocol
- Power consumption
- Device speed (USB 1.1, 2.0, 3.x)
- Configuration, interface, and endpoint details
Step 4: Troubleshoot issues
If a device isn’t working:
- Check whether it’s detected in USBView.
- Compare VID/PID to verify correct drivers.
- Confirm power requirements and bandwidth allocations.
Benefits of Using USBView
Instant device visibility – Quickly see every USB device connected to your system, including hidden or unrecognized ones.
Accurate troubleshooting – Helps identify whether a problem lies with the device, driver, or power limitations.
Vendor and product identification – Displays Vendor ID (VID) and Product ID (PID) so you can match devices with the right drivers.
Power and performance insights – Reveals each device’s power requirements and connection speed (USB 1.1, 2.0, 3.x).
Developer support – Essential for hardware and driver developers who need to validate USB compliance and descriptor accuracy.
Lightweight and portable – No installation required; simply run the executable.
Time-saving diagnostics – Eliminates guesswork by showing real-time USB topology and device descriptors.
Free and official – Provided directly by Microsoft, ensuring reliability and safety.
Common Use Cases and Limitations
Common Use Cases
Driver Development – USB driver developers use USBView to inspect descriptors and validate driver behavior.
Troubleshooting faulty devices – Detect whether a device is recognized at the hardware level.
Testing new hardware – Verify USB compliance and descriptor accuracy for prototypes.
Limitations of USBView
Read-only tool – USBView does not allow changing device configurations or descriptors.
Requires technical knowledge – Descriptor data may be difficult for beginners to interpret.
Windows only – USBView is not available for macOS or Linux systems.
Interpreting Key Fields in USBView
Interface Descriptor – Defines how the device communicates (e.g., HID, storage, audio).
Vendor ID (VID) & Product ID (PID) – Identify the manufacturer and device type.
Device Descriptor – Contains general device information, including USB version support.
Configuration Descriptor – Lists available configurations, including power requirements.
Endpoint Descriptor – Details data channels for device communication.
Best Practices for USB Diagnostics
Match VID/PID with driver database – Use the information to find correct drivers.
Monitor power draw – Ensure devices do not exceed USB port power capacity.
Check USB speed – Confirm devices are operating at expected speeds.
Use with hardware testing – Combine USBView with performance tests for full analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is USBView?
USBView (USB System Viewer) is a free Microsoft tool that displays detailed information about all USB controllers and connected devices on a Windows system.
Is USBView free?
Yes, it’s an official, free tool provided by Microsoft.
Is USBView safe to use?
Yes. Since it’s distributed directly by Microsoft, it’s safe and reliable.
What does USBView show?
It displays a tree-based view of USB controllers, hubs, and devices, along with descriptors, power requirements, speed, and driver status.
Can USBView detect unrecognized devices?
Yes, it lists devices even if Windows doesn’t recognize or install drivers for them.
Does USBView allow me to change USB settings?
No, USBView is a read-only tool. It only reports information.
Can USBView show device power consumption?
Yes, it reports how much power each device requests.No, USBView is a read-only tool. It only reports information.
What USB speeds can USBView detect?
It can identify devices running at Low, Full, High, or SuperSpeed (USB 3.x).
How do I install USBView?
No installation is needed. Just download, extract, and run USBView.exe.
Where can I download USBView?
From Microsoft’s official USBView download page (part of WDK or standalone).
Who should use USBView?
It’s useful for IT professionals, developers, and advanced users who need to troubleshoot, analyze, or develop USB devices and drivers.
On which platforms does USBView work?
USBView is Windows-only and not available for macOS or Linux.
How do I launch USBView?
Run the USBView.exe file. The tree of devices will appear in the left-hand pane.
Can USBView be run from a USB stick?
Yes, it’s portable and can be run from any folder or external drive.
Do I need admin rights to run USBView?
Not always. Basic usage usually works without admin, but some systems may require it for deeper diagnostics.
How does USBView help troubleshoot drivers?
It shows if Windows has assigned a driver to a device and whether the driver is working.
Can USBView help if a USB device isn’t working?
Yes. You can confirm if the device is detected, check VID/PID, verify driver assignment, and review power/speed.
How do developers use USBView?
USB driver developers use it to inspect descriptors, validate compliance, and debug hardware prototypes.
Does USBView show errors?
VID (Vendor ID) identifies the manufacturer, and PID (Product ID) identifies the specific device.
What do VID and PID mean in USBView?
Yes. It can reveal malfunctioning or unrecognized devices and report their descriptors for troubleshooting.
USBView – Windows USB Device Viewer Tool
USBView is a Windows tool to view and analyze USB controllers, hubs, and devices with detailed info for debugging and diagnostics.
Price: Free
Price Currency: $
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Software
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