Windows Device Interface Path

Sometimes you may see a path like \\?\hid#vid_1b1c&pid_1b2e&mi_00&col03#b&1e492bf&0&0002#{4d1e55b2-f16f-11cf-88cb-001111000030} while debugging. This can be quite confusing due to the large number of components in this path. I asked ChatGPT to explain this path as an experiment.

The Windows path appears to be a Device Interface Path, often used to uniquely identify and communicate with hardware devices connected to a computer. Let's break down the components of this path:

1. \\?\: This is a special prefix used in Windows paths to indicate that the path is in an extended-length format. It allows paths longer than the typical 260-character limit in Windows.

2. hid#vid_1b1c&pid_1b2e&mi_00&col03#b&1e492bf&0&0002#: This part of the path appears to be related to a Human Interface Device (HID). HID is a protocol for communication between computers and devices like keyboards, mice, and game controllers. Here's what each component means:

   • vid_1b1c: This is the Vendor ID (VID) of the device, which typically identifies the manufacturer of the device.
   • pid_1b2e: This is the Product ID (PID) of the device, which uniquely identifies the specific product or model.
   • mi_00: This could represent a specific "interface" or usage page of the HID device. In this case, it's set to 00.
   • col03: This might indicate a collection or report ID associated with the HID device.

3. b&1e492bf&0&0002#: This part of the path seems to be a unique identifier or location information for the device, but the exact meaning of each component may depend on the device and its configuration.

4. {4d1e55b2-f16f-11cf-88cb-001111000030}: This is a globally unique identifier (GUID) that identifies the class of the device. In this case, the GUID {4d1e55b2-f16f-11cf-88cb-001111000030} is associated with HID (Human Interface Device) devices in Windows, GUID_DEVINTERFACE_HID.

In summary, the provided Windows path is associated with a specific HID device that has a particular Vendor ID, Product ID, and other identifying information. It is used by the Windows operating system to manage and interact with this hardware device. The specific meaning and function of this path will depend on the device and how it's configured within the Windows environment.

HID Architecture
HID Collections Overview