DeviceCategory element

2025-07-11

Important

Device metadata is deprecated and will be removed in a future release of Windows. For information about the replacement for this functionality, see Driver Package Container Metadata.

The DeviceCategory element specifies a functional category to which the device belongs. For more info about device categories, see Device Categories.

Usage

<DeviceCategoryType>
  text
</DeviceCategoryType>

Attributes

There are no attributes.

Text value

Must be a value from the enumeration defined by DeviceCategoryType.

Child elements

There are no child elements.

Parent elements

Element	Description
DeviceCategoryList	The DeviceCategoryList element specifies one or more functional categories that apply to the device.

XSD

<xs:simpleType name="DeviceCategoryType">
  <xs:union memberTypes="tns:DeviceCategoryTypeEnumeration xs:string" />
</xs:simpleType>

<xs:simpleType name="DeviceCategoryTypeEnumeration">
  <xs:restriction base="xs:string">
    <xs:enumeration value="Audio" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Audio.Adapter" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Audio.Headphone" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Audio.Microphone" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Audio.Speakerphone" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Audio.Speakers" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Audio.Speakers.USB" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Audio.Speakers.Wireless" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Communication" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Communication.Headset" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Communication.Headset.Bluetooth" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Communication.Phone" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Communication.Phone.Cell" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Communication.Phone.IP" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Communication.Phone.Speaker" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.AudioAdapter" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Battery" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Bridge" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Bridge.Network" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Bridge.Storage" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Cable" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Cable.Transfer" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Cable.Transfer.USB" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Capture" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Capture.Video" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.1394" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.Bluetooth" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.CardBus" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.IR" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.IR.MCE" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.SDH" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.Serial" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.Storage" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.Storage.IDE" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.Storage.iSCSI" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.Storage.Raid" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.Storage.SATA" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.Storage.SCSI" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.USB" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Controller.WUSB" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.GraphicsCard" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Hub" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Hub.1394" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Hub.USB" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.KVM" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.NIC" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.SmartCardReader" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.System" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.System.Board" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.System.Memory" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.System.Processor" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner.Radio" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner.TV" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner.TV.ATSC" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner.TV.DCB-S" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner.TV.DVB-C" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner.TV.DVB-T" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner.TV.ISDB-T" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner.TV.NTSC" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner.TV.NTSCMJ" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner.TV.OpenCable" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner.TV.PAL" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner.TV.Proprietry" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner.TV.QAM" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Component.Tuner.TV.SECAM" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.AllInOne" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Desktop" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Desktop.LowProfile" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Desktop.Pizzabox" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Handheld" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Handheld.Windows" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Laptop" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Lunchbox" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Netbook" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Notebook" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Notebook.Sub" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Portable" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Rackmount" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Sealed" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Server" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.SpaceSaving" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Tablet" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.ThinClient" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Tower" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Computer.Tower.Mini" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Display" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Display.Monitor" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Display.Monitor.CRT" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Display.Monitor.LCD" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Display.Monitor.Plasma" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Display.PictureFrame" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Display.Projector" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Display.SideShow" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Display.TV" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Display.TV.CRT" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Display.TV.DLP" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Display.TV.LCD" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Display.TV.Plasma" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Health" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Health.BloodGlucose" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Health.BloodPressure" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Health.HeartRate" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Health.Pedometer" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Imaging" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Imaging.Camcorder" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Imaging.Camera" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Imaging.Scanner" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Imaging.Webcam" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Digitizer" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Digitizer.Multitouch" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Digitizer.Pen" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Digitizer.Touchpad" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Digitizer.Touchscreen" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Gaming" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Gaming.Common" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Gaming.Controller" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Gaming.Gamepad" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Gaming.Generic" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Gaming.Steering" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Keyboard" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.KVM" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Mouse" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Remote" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Remote.MCE" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Input.Trackball" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Media" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Media.SmartCard" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Media.Storage" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Media.Storage.Flash" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Media.Storage.Flash.CompactFlash" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Media.Storage.Flash.MemoryStick" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Media.Storage.Flash.SD" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Media.Storage.Optical" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Media.Storage.Optical.BluRay" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Media.Storage.Optical.CD" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Media.Storage.Optical.DVD" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Multimedia" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Multimedia.DMC" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Multimedia.DMP" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Multimedia.DMR" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Multimedia.DMR.MCE" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Multimedia.DMS" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Multimedia.DVR" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Multimedia.GameConsole" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Multimedia.PMP" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Multimedia.VoiceRecorder" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.AccessPoint" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.Bluetooth" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.Bridge" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.Bridge.Wifi2Ether" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.HomeAutomation" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.MobileBroadband" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.Modem" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.NIC" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.NIC.Ethernet" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.NIC.IR" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.NIC.PLC" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.NIC.Wireless" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.PrintServer" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.Router" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.Router.Wireless" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.Switch" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.UWB" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.WUSB" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Network.WUSB.DWA" />
    <xs:enumeration value="PersonalIdentity" />
    <xs:enumeration value="PersonalIdentity.FaceScanner" />
    <xs:enumeration value="PersonalIdentity.FingerprintReader" />
    <xs:enumeration value="PersonalIdentity.RetinalScanner" />
    <xs:enumeration value="PersonalIdentity.Smartcard" />
    <xs:enumeration value="PersonalIdentity.SmartcardReader" />
    <xs:enumeration value="PrintFax" />
    <xs:enumeration value="PrintFax.FAX" />
    <xs:enumeration value="PrintFax.MFP" />
    <xs:enumeration value="PrintFax.Printer" />
    <xs:enumeration value="PrintFax.Printer.3D" />     
    <xs:enumeration value="PrintFax.Printer.Inkjet" />
    <xs:enumeration value="PrintFax.Printer.Laser" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Sensor" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Sensor.Electrical" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Sensor.Enviromental" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Sensor.Enviromental.Temp" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Sensor.Light" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Sensor.Location" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Sensor.Location.GPS" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Sensor.Mechanical" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Sensor.Motion" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Sensor.Orientation" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Sensor.Proximity" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Sensor.Proximity.NFC" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Sensor.Proximity.RFID" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.CardReader" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.CardReader.Combo" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.Changer" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.Changer.Optical" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.FDD" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.HDD" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.HDD.SolidState" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.Network" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.Network.Wireless" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.Optical" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.Optical.Bluray" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.Optical.CD" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.Optical.DVD" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.Tape" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Storage.UFD" />
    <xs:enumeration value="Other" />
  </xs:restriction>
</xs:simpleType>

Remarks

The DeviceCategory element is required. The data for the DeviceCategoryList element must contain one or more DeviceCategory elements.

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