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As refered to by Microsoft:

DevCon (Devcon.exe) is included when you install the WDK, Visual Studio, and the Windows SDK for desktop apps.

But these programs take hundreds of MBs, and I don't need the full suite installed on my Windows.

Isn't there a quick way to obtain just the devcon.exe util?

Answers for any Windows version, if possible. If not, at least for Windows XP would enough for me.

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  • For an up-to-date answer and a installer someone created on github, that installs DevCon.exe to your Path env. variable without downloading and installing WDK, see my below post. This would be ideal if you're deploying to various windows OS's and/or you need to programmatically disable an intermittently failing device such as a USB device and a COM port or both.
    – Daniel Donnelly
    Nov 4, 2022 at 22:47

5 Answers 5

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For Windows XP/Vista + Windows Server 2003 (R2) (as described by Microsoft here):

x86:

Download Support.cab (which contains the 32-bit Support Tools for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2) and extract devcon.exe (download size: 3.45 MB).

amd64:

Download w2k3sp2_3959_usa_x64fre_spcd.iso (which is the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2, x64 Editions – ISO-9660 CD Image File), mount the .ISO, then go to SUPPORT\TOOLS\SUPPORT.cab and extract devcon.exe (download size: 475 MB).

x86/amd64:

Highly recommended due to the size, but it's the oldest version and not hosted by Microsoft anymore. The link is from the Web Archive, and the file has the Microsoft signature so it’s genuine. It was previously available under this article but now the link is dead.

Download DevCon v5.2.3718 and run it, enter a path in the “Unzip to Folder" field, then click Unzip to extract (download size: 78 KB).

For Windows 7/8/8.1/10 + Windows Server 2008 (R2)/2012 (R2)/2016:

Windows 10 version 1809 (a.k.a. Windows 10 October 2018 Update)

Windows Build: 10.0.17763

Driver Kit Build: 10.0.17763

x86:

Download 82c1721cd310c73968861674ffc209c9.cab, extract the file fil5a9177f816435063f779ebbbd2c1a1d2 and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 6.06 MB).

amd64:

Download 787bee96dbd26371076b37b13c405890.cab, extract the file filbad6e2cce5ebc45a401e19c613d0a28f and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 6.12 MB).

Windows 10 version 1803 (a.k.a. Windows 10 April 2018 Update)

Windows Build: 10.0.17134

Driver Kit Build: 10.0.17134

x86:

Download 82c1721cd310c73968861674ffc209c9.cab, extract the file fil5a9177f816435063f779ebbbd2c1a1d2 and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 7.07 MB).

amd64:

Download 787bee96dbd26371076b37b13c405890.cab, extract the file filbad6e2cce5ebc45a401e19c613d0a28f and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 7.53 MB).

Windows 10 version 1709 (a.k.a. Windows 10 Fall Creators Update)

Windows Build: 10.0.16299

Driver Kit Build: 10.0.16299

x86:

Download 82c1721cd310c73968861674ffc209c9.cab, extract the file fil5a9177f816435063f779ebbbd2c1a1d2 and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 7.09 MB).

amd64:

Download 787bee96dbd26371076b37b13c405890.cab, extract the file filbad6e2cce5ebc45a401e19c613d0a28f and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 7.53 MB).

Windows 10 version 1703 (a.k.a. Windows 10 Creators Update)

Windows Build: 10.0.15063

Driver Kit Build: 10.0.15063

x86:

Download 82c1721cd310c73968861674ffc209c9.cab, extract the file fil5a9177f816435063f779ebbbd2c1a1d2 and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 7.88 MB).

amd64:

Download 787bee96dbd26371076b37b13c405890.cab, extract the file filbad6e2cce5ebc45a401e19c613d0a28f and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 7.45 MB).

Windows 10 version 1607 (a.k.a. Windows 10 Anniversary Update)

Windows Build: 10.0.14393

Driver Kit Build: 10.1.14393

x86:

Download 82c1721cd310c73968861674ffc209c9.cab, extract the file fil5a9177f816435063f779ebbbd2c1a1d2 and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 7.73 MB).

amd64:

Download 787bee96dbd26371076b37b13c405890.cab, extract the file filbad6e2cce5ebc45a401e19c613d0a28f and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 7.29 MB).

Windows 10 version 1511 (a.k.a. Windows 10 November Update)

Windows Build: 10.0.10586

Driver Kit Build: 10.1.10586

x86:

Download 82c1721cd310c73968861674ffc209c9.cab, extract the file fil5a9177f816435063f779ebbbd2c1a1d2 and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 8.65 MB).

amd64:

Download 787bee96dbd26371076b37b13c405890.cab, extract the file filbad6e2cce5ebc45a401e19c613d0a28f and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 7.86 MB).

Windows 10 version 1507

Windows Build: 10.0.10240

Driver Kit Build: 10.0.26639

x86:

Download 82c1721cd310c73968861674ffc209c9.cab, extract the file fil5a9177f816435063f779ebbbd2c1a1d2 and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 8.64 MB).

amd64:

Download 787bee96dbd26371076b37b13c405890.cab, extract the file filbad6e2cce5ebc45a401e19c613d0a28f and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 7.83 MB).

Windows 10 Insider Preview

Windows Build: 10.0.10075

Driver Kit Build: 10.0.10075

x86:

Download 82c1721cd310c73968861674ffc209c9.cab, extract the file fil5a9177f816435063f779ebbbd2c1a1d2 and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 8.26 MB).

amd64:

Download 787bee96dbd26371076b37b13c405890.cab, extract the file filbad6e2cce5ebc45a401e19c613d0a28f and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 7.81 MB).

Windows 8.1 Update

Windows Build: 6.3.9600.17029

Driver Kit Build: 8.100.26846

x86:

Download af0d6547860d8f68c1b0c9da530f699d.cab, extract the file fil5a9177f816435063f779ebbbd2c1a1d2 and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 34.96 KB).

amd64:

Download 09844d1815314132979ed88093f49c6f.cab, extract the file filbad6e2cce5ebc45a401e19c613d0a28f and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 36.63 KB).

Windows 8.1

Windows Build: 6.3.9600.16384

Driver Kit Build: 8.100.25984

x86:

Download af0d6547860d8f68c1b0c9da530f699d.cab, extract the file fil5a9177f816435063f779ebbbd2c1a1d2 and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 34.98 KB).

amd64:

Download 09844d1815314132979ed88093f49c6f.cab, extract the file filbad6e2cce5ebc45a401e19c613d0a28f and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 36.66 KB).

Windows 8

Windows Build: 6.2.9200.16384

Driver Kit Build: 8.59.29757

x86:

Download af0d6547860d8f68c1b0c9da530f699d.cab, extract the file fil5a9177f816435063f779ebbbd2c1a1d2 and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 33.60 KB).

amd64:

Download 09844d1815314132979ed88093f49c6f.cab, extract the file filbad6e2cce5ebc45a401e19c613d0a28f and rename it to devcon.exe (download size: 35.45 KB).

Note: If the process of finding and renaming the files is confusing, download this tiny script I wrote, put it to the same directory as the downloaded .CAB file(s) and run it to extract and rename the DevCon .EXE files for you (no administrative privileges required). It creates a folder called DevCon in the same directory which includes the versions you downloaded (32-bit/64-bit or both).

All the links (except for the script and DevCon v5.2.3718) are provided by Microsoft, and all links to the .CAB files are the same links that WDK uses to obtain its packages.

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11
  • 2
    Which one is the link for Windows 7?
    – Sopalajo de Arrierez
    Mar 16, 2018 at 19:27
  • 1
    Very nice! How were you able to find the cab urls?
    – John C
    Jan 31, 2019 at 17:55
  • 1
    Doesn't work for Build 1903
    – Kevin R.
    Jun 30, 2019 at 16:53
  • 3
    I wish this could be updated (thanks no matter what :) Meanwhile, I googled and found a blog post where newer devcon.exe direct download links (e.g. 1903 and 2004) are available in the visitor comment section: networchestration.wordpress.com/2016/07/11/…
    – wandersick
    Jul 29, 2020 at 13:03
  • 4
    Where can I get version 20h2?
    – preachers
    May 2, 2022 at 6:42
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Version 5.2.x of devcon.exe used to be available for download as part of KB article Q311272. MS "retired" that article since, and the old link now redirects to the one you posted.

However, you can still find Q311272 archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20150219111411/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311272? and even the download link works. The devcon.exe you get from there is actually a self-extracting ZIP file, contains both 32b and 64b devcon.exe v5.2.3718.0, and should work fine with XP.

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1
  • Indeed, it is working for now. Due to its small size download, this is a great solution as long as Micro$oft doesn't remove the link. Thanks you, @DXIV, and good job researching.
    – Sopalajo de Arrierez
    Nov 21, 2015 at 2:44
3

Head to the official "Microsoft/Windows-driver-samples" repository on Github, get the source code, and then compile it yourself.

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2

Automatic DevCon.exe Installer (without installing WDK)

In my googling around for this issue, I found something new:

https://github.com/Drawbackz/DevCon-Installer

Check the right side bar under "Releases". It lets you install devcon.exe without installing the whole WDK, so this solution is ideal for people deploying to user's machines that aren't used for Windows driver development.

That long answer above needs updating with the latest version, so is irrelevant by now except if you're using an non-updated Windows version.

I guess if you need to programmatically reset a USB device for instance (my use case), you can include this installer as part of your install process.

Important Note

Download the latest installer from releases and run it. Select your architecture (x64 or x86) and click Update Sources. The dropdown box at the top will then be updated. Right click on "My Computer" from Windows file manager and go to Properties. Check your version of Windows 10, because mine is 21H2 (which the installer calls Windows 11), so just be aware of that, so I think 21H2 (Windows 11) is the one to install for me, even though I'm using Windows 10 officially. See the below screenshot:

My system properties and the DevCon installer side-by-side.

What's neat about this installer is that it also automaticaly adds DevCon.exe's location to your Path environment variable, and all you have to do is check that box! :)

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0

For 32 bits version, browse the Windows Server 2003 CD to:

\SUPPORT\TOOLS

open the file SUPPORT.CAB with some package browser like WinRAR or Total Commander and you will find devcon.exe there.
No installation needed to perform.

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