Provided are a method, system, and program for managing a configuration file including device parameters that define attributes of the device accessed by a device driver executing in a computer. The device driver uses the device parameters to control one or more devices in communication with the computer. A determination is made of device parameters provided with the device driver for a device, wherein the device parameters are maintained external to the configuration file. User selection of at least one of the determined device parameters is received and a parameter code for each selected device parameter is written to the configuration file.