How to remove unused devices from Windows XP

When you remove a device from Windows XP drivers are left behind. The only way to remove them is to reload windows or follow my directions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Administrator access to your computer

1. Right click "My Computer" then click properties.
2. Click on the "Advanced" tab then click at the bottom on "Enviroment Variables"
3. In the "System variables" box click new
4. In "variable name" box type devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices and then enter 1 in "Variable value" box. Click ok to close all the open windows.
5. Reboot to make sure the new setting is applied
6. Right click "My Computer", click manage, click device manager, click view,click "show hidden devices". You should now see the old devices, they will show up greyed out. You can highlight and delete any of the ones you no longer want.