
DeviceCleanup V0.4.0.0 - Removes non-present devices from the Windows device management
Freeware by Uwe Sieber - www.uwe-sieber.de

Works under Window 2000, XP and higher

On x64 Windows only the x64 release can delete devices.


All devices listed by DeviceCleanup are currently not present, usually they have the problem
code 45 which is CM_PROB_PHANTOM, "The devinst currently exists only in the registry".

You can select one, multiple or all devices and remove them. If the device is attached again
it will be detected as new.

The 'last used' time comes from the write time of the device's registry key
under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum

On some Windows the times are set on startup, so all devices seem to have
the same age. On most Windows the time is set when the device gets active,
so it makes sense to use this as 'last used' time.

Non-PnP devices and 'soft' devices are not listed because they are not automatically reinstalled.
These are devices whose ID begins with
- HTREE\ROOT\
- ROOT\
- SW\{

If you want to delete them, use the Windows Device Manager.


Same thing might be true for some Microsoft MEDIA class devices.
DeviceCleanup lists them. Just don't delete them unless you know what you do.


For removing devices admin previleges are required, otherwise you get an
access denied error.




Licence: Freeware

Allowed:
- usage in any environment, including commercial
- include in software products, including commercial
- include on CD/DVD of computer magazines

Not allowed:
- modify any of the files
- offer for download by means of a "downloader" software



Uwe Sieber, mail@uwe-sieber.de
Feb 2015



