Windows 10: Device Manager, Hidden Devices, TP Link, Uninstall/Install issues

After purchasing a Archer T4U Plus New AC1300 Wireless USB Adapter, it worked okay for a while but then started having strange problems like turning off without my intervention or just not working. I have had issues on two desktop computers running the latest version of Windows 10 right now it is 22H2 Build 190. 045.2311 When everything else failed, decided to try to uninstall their software and reinstall it but found their software is almost totally uninstallable to my dismay. The installer, when run says the driver has to be uninstalled first, but I can't uninstall the driver using their s

:)

 

Device Manager Un-Hiding Hidden Devices

When you connect a plug and play device, Windows Plug and Play manager detects it, finds and installs the driver. Device Manager lists the device with a solid icon.

The driver is only removed when you uninstall the device, not simply by disconnecting the device. When the device is disconnected, its driver is still installed. By default, Device Manager only displays connected devices. When you show hidden devices, note the Bluetooth icon you see is semi-transparent (not opaque). That indicates a "non-present" device. Sometimes also called a "ghost" device. The driver is still installed but the device is not currently detected (i.e. not connected).

Device can be disconnected when

• Device unplugged (e.g. removing a USB device)
• Turning a device OFF
• Disabling the device in BIOS (then windows won't detect it) or
• Device failure

So

• Check BIOS as suggested
• Check board connections
• Can b/t be turned off by a switch? or keyboard combination?

Also possible the b/t h/w failed

 

Uninstall hidden “Network Adapters” from Device Manager using PowerShell script

Steps:

1. Open Device Manager from Control Panel
2. Select “Show hidden devices” from View menu
3. Expand “Network adapters”
4. Find hidden adapters

Manually these hidden adapters can be uninstall by below steps

1. Right click on hidden adapter
2. Click on uninstall.
3. Click on Ok button.

How to uninstall these adapters using PowerShell script?

I have Administrator access still, this code throws error - Remove-ItemProperty : Requested registry access is not allowed.

 

Cannot install/uninstall ati drivers

Open device manager and select "show hidden devices". Uninstall all hidden graphic cards too.