What is the difference between the Internet from the cable company and a fiber connection for home broadband service?Ī. Additionally, when you have a USB 3.0 peripheral plugged into a USB 3.0 port, Windows may also show you a notification that the device is connected to a USB 3.0 port or that it is operating at SuperSpeed. On the manager screen, click Universal Serial Bus Controllers and look for a USB 3.0 controller listed. If you are already working in the Windows 8.1 desktop mode, one fast way to get there is to press the Windows key and the Pause/Break key in the top row to open the System control panel.

(As a shortcut to open the Charms bar, press the Windows and C keys on the keyboard.) Type in Device Manager and hit the Enter key. To open the manager from the Start screen, point the cursor to the lower-right corner of the screen and then move it up to summon the Charms bar so you can click on the Search icon. If you do not see any physical evidence pointing to USB 3.0, you can look in the Windows Device Manager to see what is listed. Some laptop makers will also label the faster port with a “3.0” or sometimes “SS,” which stands for SuperSpeed USB. Compared with ordinary older UBS ports, USB 3.0 ports usually have a bit of blue around or within the jack itself. The support area of the manufacturer’s website should also have the information on your model.īut sometimes you can tell just by looking at the USB ports along the edge of the laptop.

If you do not have the manual or specifications sheet that come with the computer, there are a few other ways to check if you have the higher-speed USB port. How do I tell if any of the three USB ports on there might be USB 3.0?Ī. I have a fairly recent laptop, bought last year, running Windows 8.1.

Do i need drivers ffor usb 3 card