How to Delete USB Not Recognized in Regedit

The Windows operating system will automatically detect and identify a connected USB device. Once identified, Windows searches for drivers necessary to use the device. In some cases, you may receive a balloon error in your taskbar stating Windows could not recognize the device. This problem may be caused by entries in the registry telling Windows incorrect information about the device. When this occurs, Windows recognizes the device incorrectly and assumes an identification problem. Repair this problem by deleting these entries with the Regedit utility. Once the entries are removed, you must clear the driver cache to allow proper recognition and driver installation.

Instructions

Create Registry Backup

1. Click “Start.” Type “Regedit” in Search.

2. Double-click the Regedit.exe search result and click "Yes" on the User Account Control window. This opens the Windows Registry Editor.

3. Go to the “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class” key on the left pane by double-clicking through each key until the “Class” key is highlighted.

4. Right-click “Class” and click “Export.” This opens an "Export Registry File" dialog.

5. Type “Class Backup” in the “File name” box and click “Save.” This saves a backup of the Class registry branch in your Documents folder.

Delete Registry Entries

1. Click to highlight the “{4D36E967-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}” subkey.

2. Look on the right pane for “UpperFilters.” Right-click this value and click “Delete.” Click “OK” to confirm

3. Locate “LowerFilters.” Right-click this value and click “Delete.” Click “OK” to confirm.

4. Close the Registry Editor and reboot your computer.

Delete INFCache File

1. Ensure the problematic USB device is not connected to your computer.

2. Press the “Windows” and “R” keys to display "Run."

3. Type “C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore” in Run and hit “Enter.” This opens the DriverStore folder and its contents on your screen.

4. Right-click the “INFCACHE.1” file and click “Delete.” Click “Yes” to confirm.

5. Close the DriverStore folder and reboot your computer. Upon restart, reconnect the USB device to your computer. Windows should properly identify the device.

References

• Microsoft Windows: Back Up the Registry
• Microsoft TechNet: Registry Editor
• Microsoft MSDN: Driver Store
• Microsoft Windows: Install a USB Device

Resources

• Microsoft Windows: Before Installing a Device