Devices and Printers not loading.

alan1mtnview said:

Hi, rrrryan. I've been looking all over the net for the fix to this problem myself. I found it while looking for a (I thought) completely unrelated problem-every new folder I opened would open in a new window, regardless of the setting under "Folder and Search Options"
I found the fix here:
Solution: Explorer open each folder in same window error and SQL Management Studio, IE and Team Explorer errors | David's Blog

It has a cmd file that you can download and run (as admin!) that corrected my folders issue. On a hunch, I opened "Devices and Printers", and Lo and Behold, everything is fixed there as well. It is supposed to work on both flavors (x86, x64) of 7. I'm on x64 myself.
I hope this might help you avoid a reinstall.
Thanks,

Alan

I'll give this a shot.

I did troubleshoot the issue down to McAfee's Encryption for files and folders. Basically it makes any USB device inserted to try and encrypt it. We are trying to download a Windows 7 compatible version and see if the same problem persists. If it does, i'll try this, but thanks for posting it!!!

Here is what worked for me and will probably work in a lot of cases. Open Control Panel and then Folder Options. In Folder Options click the View tab and put a check mark in the second entry "Always Show Menus" and click OK. Then open Devices and Printers and the "File, Edit, View, Tools, Help" bar will now be displayed. Click on "View" and go to the bottom of the drop down menu and click on the bottom entry "Refresh". All of the missing printers and devices should now be restored to view.

eezdva said:

Ok found the solution




Click Start button, type "services" into the search program and files box. This brings up a list in the menu, select Services. This should open a list of local services on your system.., Find 'Bluetooth Service" and make sure it has started, right click and set to 'automatic' (mine was already set), Select "Bluetooth Support Service" and start, set to automatic (mine was set on manual) --


It worked for me . Very happy.

Nice, Perfect... Work for me..... THX

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread but I search for ages to find the answer to this and came up with nothing and this is the first hit on Google.

Do the following:

Open up a command prompt and type SFC /Scannow
Then I realised I had an encrypted USB hard drive plugged in which I removed.

I'm not sure which of these fixed it for me but I think it was removing the hard drive.

eezdva said:

Ok found the solution




Click Start button, type "services" into the search program and files box. This brings up a list in the menu, select Services. This should open a list of local services on your system.., Find 'Bluetooth Service" and make sure it has started, right click and set to 'automatic' (mine was already set), Select "Bluetooth Support Service" and start, set to automatic (mine was set on manual) --


It worked for me . Very happy.

GREAT. Worked for me too. MANY thanks !!

I had this as an issue, I uninstalled the bluetooth device & software, restarted the computer, I then ran CCleaner on just the registry portion, to fix errors. I checked the device and printers again and they were back. Restarted the computer again and they are still there, I hope this helps others.