Removing all hidden devices at once in Windows

Oftentimes, after you remove a device in Windows, its traces stay and mess up the system. It is especially troublesome with new ports or network interfaces: you may end up with a Port #101 or Network Adapter #202. Such numbers are not compatible with some older software, which expects comm ports numbers from e.g. 0 to 10.

I have finally found a nice way of removing them in one fell swoop.

First, check how many hidden devices your computer may have.

1. Add this line 

devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices = 1

to the list in the Windows Systems Environment variables window

Additional Devmgr parameter

2. In the Device Manager select the Show Hidden Devices option:

Ghost device in Device Manager

You may click and remove them one by one or automate the process...

3. Download Devcon from Microsoft and read its Help.

4. Download and run this batch (BAT) file taken from Rob van der Woude's Scripting Pages

Your screen may blink. You will also notice that drivers of any inactive plug and play peripherials (printers, scanners) will need to be reinstalled upon reconnecting. But on the other hand you will have regain access to COM X virtual ports, where X =<10...