Universal Plug and Play

To install Universal Plug and Play Open Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel. Click Add/Remove Windows Components. In the Components list, select the Networking Services check box, and then click Details. Make sure the Universal Plug and Play check box is selected.

To open Add or Remove Programs, click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs. If you used a CD to set up Windows, you will be prompted to insert it into your computer.

Hardware overview
Hardware includes any device that is connected to your computer and is controlled by your computer's microprocessor. This includes equipment that was connected to your computer when it was manufactured, as well as peripheral equipment that you added later. The following are examples of devices:

Universal Serial bus (USB)
IEEE 1394
Modems
Disk drives
CD-ROM drives
Digital video disc (DVD) drives
Printers
Network adapters
Keyboards
Video adapter cards
Monitors
Game controllers

Devices (Plug and Play and non-Plug and Play) can be connected to your computer in several ways. Some devices, such as network adapters and sound cards, are connected to expansion slots inside your computer. Other devices, such as printers and scanners, are connected to ports on the outside of your computer. Some devices, known as PC Cards, connect only to PC Card slots on a portable computer.

For a device to work properly with Windows, software known as a device driver must be installed on the computer. Each device is supported by one or more device drivers, which are typically supplied by the device manufacturer. However, some device drivers are included with Windows. If the device is Plug and Play, Windows can automatically detect it and install the appropriate device drivers.

If the device is not automatically installed by Windows, the Found New Hardware Wizard will appear and ask you to insert any media (such as compact discs or floppy disks) that were provided with the device. Non-Plug and Play devices are installed using the Add Hardware Wizard in Control Panel. If you want to manually install device drivers, you must use Device Manager Before manually installing device drivers, you should consult the device documentation provided by the manufacturer.

Important

You must be logged on as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group in order to install or configure a device if:

The device driver does not have the Designed for Windows Logo or a digital signature
Further action is required to install the device, requiring Windows to display a user interface.
The device driver is not already on your computer.
You need to configure a device using Device Manager.
Your computer is connected to a network; network policy settings may also prevent you from installing hardware.

Note: 

For the latest updates, including security fixes, service packs, new Help files, and device drivers, see Windows Update in Help and Support Center.

Installing devices overview

Hardware types overview

Plug and Play overview

Hardware profiles overview

Using Device Manager

Using Internet Explorer

Using Universal Plug and Play to control devices

Universal Plug and Play allows Windows to discover and control Universal Plug and Play devices When plugged into a network, these devices immediately provide their services and make use of other services on the network. For example, when you plug in any Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or laptop, you are immediately able to use printers and other resources on the network. Universal Plug and Play has very little in common with Plug and Play or non-Plug and Play devices.

Windows detects existing Universal Plug and Play devices, as well as new devices when they are added. In both cases, an indicator is displayed in the notification area to alert you when devices are detected. Also, Universal Plug and Play devices are displayed in the My Network Places folder. To open My Network Places, click Start, and then click My Computer. Under Other Places, click My Network Places. You can control a Universal Plug and Play device by double-clicking its icon, or view its properties by right-clicking the icon and then clicking Properties.

Note:

Universal Plug and Play is not automatically installed when you install Windows. For more information, click Related Topics.
Universal Plug and Play must be installed on all computers on which you want to view and control devices.

Note:  This compilation of information are from various sources.  All credit due to its authors.
XP Support- 01/01/2005 12:42 AM - Home Page WinXP
© Copyright Kelly Theriot MS-MVP(DTS) 2005. All rights reserved.