How to Add a USB COM Port in Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you having trouble adding a USB COM port in Windows 10? Look no further! In this article, we will guide you through the steps to add a USB COM port in Windows 10. Get ready to expand your connectivity options and enhance your device's functionality.

How to Add a USB COM Port in Windows 10: Step-by-Step Guide

To add a USB COM port in Windows 10, follow these steps:

Step 1: Connect the USB device to your computer's USB port.

Step 2: Open the Device Manager by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Device Manager from the menu.

Step 3: In the Device Manager, expand the Ports (COM & LPT) category.

Step 4: Right-click on an empty space in the Ports category and select Add Legacy Hardware.

Step 5: Click Next in the Add Hardware Wizard window.

Step 6: Select "Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced)" and click Next.

Step 7: Choose Ports (COM & LPT) from the list of hardware types and click Next.

Step 8: Select "Standard port types" from the Manufacturer column and "Communications Port" from the Model column. Click Next.

Step 9: Click Next again to install the selected COM port.

Step 10: Once the installation is complete, click Finish to exit the wizard.

After following these steps, the USB COM port will be added to your Windows 10 system. You can now use it for communication with devices that require a COM port.

How To Install Windows 10 From USB (2022)

Is it possible to convert a USB port into a COM port?

Yes, it is possible to convert a USB port into a COM port. This can be done by using a USB to serial adapter. A USB to serial adapter is a small device that connects to the USB port on your computer and provides a serial port connection.

To convert a USB port into a COM port, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Purchase a USB to serial adapter: You can find these adapters online or at electronics stores. Make sure to choose one that is compatible with your computer's operating system.

2. Install the drivers: Before connecting the USB to serial adapter, you will need to install the drivers for it. These drivers usually come with the adapter or can be downloaded from the manufacturer's website. Follow the instructions provided to install the drivers.

3. Connect the USB to serial adapter: Once the drivers are installed, connect the USB to serial adapter to an available USB port on your computer. The adapter will be recognized by your computer as a new COM port.

4. Configure the COM port: After connecting the adapter, you may need to configure the COM port settings. This can be done through the Device Manager in Windows. Right-click on "My Computer" or "This PC," select "Manage," and then go to "Device Manager." Look for the newly added COM port under the "Ports (COM & LPT)" section, right-click on it, and select "Properties." From there, you can adjust the settings such as baud rate, parity, and flow control according to your needs.

Note: Converting a USB port into a COM port using a USB to serial adapter allows you to use devices that require a serial connection, such as older printers, modems, and industrial equipment, with your computer.

How can I add a COM Port manually?

To manually add a COM Port, follow these steps:

1. Open the Device Manager by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting "Device Manager" from the menu.
2. In the Device Manager window, expand the "Ports (COM & LPT)" category.
3. Right-click on an empty area and select "Add Legacy Hardware" from the context menu.
4. Click "Next" on the welcome screen of the Add Hardware Wizard.
5. Select "Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced)" and click "Next."
6. From the list of common hardware types, select "Ports (COM & LPT)" and click "Next."
7. Choose "Standard port types" from the Manufacturer list and "Communications Port" from the Model list, then click "Next."
8. If prompted to use an existing driver or install a new one, select "Install the software automatically (Recommended)" and click "Next."
9. The wizard will then install the necessary drivers and create a new COM port. Once the installation is complete, click "Finish."
10. The newly added COM port should now be displayed in the Device Manager under the "Ports (COM & LPT)" category.

Note: It's important to ensure that you have the correct drivers for your device before attempting to add a COM port manually.

How to configure the COM port for USB?

To configure the COM port for USB:

1. Connect your USB device to your computer.
2. Open the Device Manager by pressing Windows key + X and selecting "Device Manager" from the menu.
3. Expand the "Ports (COM & LPT)" section.
4. Locate the USB Serial Port (COMx) entry, where "x" is the assigned COM port number.
5. Right-click on the USB Serial Port entry and select "Properties."
6. In the Properties window, go to the "Port Settings" tab.
7. Click on the "Advanced" button.
8. In the Advanced Settings window, you can modify various settings related to the COM port.
9. If required, change the COM port number by selecting it from the drop-down menu under "COM Port Number."
10. Make any other necessary modifications to the baud rate, data bits, parity, stop bits, and flow control settings.
11. Click "OK" to save the changes.
12. Close the Device Manager.

Your USB device is now configured with the desired COM port settings.

How to install a COM Port driver on Windows 10?

To install a COM Port driver on Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Connect your device to the computer using a USB cable.
2. Open the Start menu and type "Device Manager" in the search bar. Click on the "Device Manager" option that appears.
3. In the Device Manager window, expand the "Ports (COM & LPT)" category.
4. Right-click on the COM port device that needs the driver and select "Update driver" from the context menu.
5. In the Update Driver Software window, select the option "Search automatically for updated driver software". Windows will search and install the necessary drivers if they are available online.
6. If the driver is not found automatically, you can try to manually install it by selecting the option "Browse my computer for driver software".
7. In the next window, click on "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer".
8. Check the box that says "Show compatible hardware" to display a list of compatible drivers.
9. Select the appropriate driver from the list and click "Next" to start the installation.
10. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver installation process.

Note: It is important to ensure that you download and install the correct driver for your specific device model and Windows version to avoid compatibility issues. Always check the manufacturer's website or documentation for the latest driver updates.

FAQ

How to add a USB COM port in Windows 10?

To add a USB COM port in Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Connect the USB device that provides the COM port to your computer.

2. Open the Device Manager. You can do this by right-clicking on the Start Menu and selecting "Device Manager" from the menu.

3. In the Device Manager window, locate the "Ports (COM & LPT)" category and expand it by clicking on the arrow next to it.

4. Look for any entry labeled "USB Serial Port" or something similar. This indicates that the USB device has been detected as a COM port.

5. If you don't see any such entry, right-click on any empty space within the Device Manager window and select "Scan for hardware changes". This will refresh the list and detect any newly connected devices.

6. Once you find the USB Serial Port entry, right-click on it and select "Properties" from the context menu.

7. In the Properties window, go to the "Port Settings" tab.

8. Click on the "Advanced" button.

9. In the Advanced Settings window, check the box that says "Use any interrupt assigned to the port".

10. Click "OK" to close the Advanced Settings window, then click "OK" again to close the Properties window.

11. The USB COM port should now be added and ready to use.

Note: If the USB device didn't come with specific drivers, Windows 10 should automatically install generic drivers for it. However, if the device requires specific drivers, make sure to install them before following the above steps.

Remember: Adding a USB COM port may vary depending on the specific device you are using. Refer to the device's manual or manufacturer's website for detailed instructions tailored to your device.

What are the steps to create a USB COM port in Windows 10?

To create a USB COM port in Windows 10, follow these steps:

Step 1: Plug in your USB device that you want to use as a COM port.

Step 2: Open the Device Manager by typing "Device Manager" in the Windows search bar and selecting it from the results.

Step 3: In the Device Manager, expand the "Ports (COM & LPT)" category.

Step 4: Look for a device entry with a name similar to your USB device. It may have a yellow exclamation mark indicating an issue or it may be listed without any problems.

Step 5: If you see a device with an issue, right-click on it and select "Update driver."

Step 6: Choose the option to "Browse my computer for drivers."

Step 7: Select the option to "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer."

Step 8: If you see a manufacturer-specific driver for your USB device, select it and click "Next." If not, proceed to the next step.

Step 9: Click "Have Disk" and browse to the location where you have the driver files for your USB device. Select the driver file and click "Open."

Step 10: Click "OK" and then "Next" to install the driver.

Step 11: Once the driver is installed, you should see a new COM port entry under the "Ports (COM & LPT)" category in the Device Manager.

Step 12: Your USB device should now be recognized as a COM port in Windows 10.

Note: The steps may vary slightly depending on the specific USB device you are using. Make sure to follow any instructions provided by the manufacturer for installing the driver.

Can you provide a detailed guide on adding a USB COM port in Windows 10?

Sure! Here's a detailed guide on adding a USB COM port in Windows 10:

1. Connect the USB device to your computer using an available USB port.

2. Open the Device Manager by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting "Device Manager" from the menu.

3. In the Device Manager, locate the "Ports (COM & LPT)" category and expand it.

4. Look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark or question mark icon. These indicate that there might be an issue with the driver.

5. Right-click on the device with the issue and select "Update driver."

6. In the Update Driver Software window, select "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will search for the appropriate driver online and install it if found.

7. If Windows is unable to find a suitable driver, you may need to visit the manufacturer's website and download the latest driver for your USB device. Save the driver file to your computer.

8. In the Update Driver Software window, select "Browse my computer for driver software."

9. Click on "Browse" and locate the downloaded driver file on your computer. Select the file and click "Open."

10. Click "Next" and Windows will install the driver for your USB COM port.

11. Once the installation is complete, restart your computer.

12. After restarting, open the Device Manager again and check if the USB COM port is now listed without any issues.

Note: It's important to ensure that the USB device you're connecting has proper drivers compatible with Windows 10. If not, you may experience difficulties in adding the USB COM port.

Remember to always exercise caution when downloading and installing drivers from the internet. Make sure you download them from official manufacturer websites to avoid potential security risks.

In conclusion, adding a USB COM port in Windows 10 can greatly enhance the functionality and versatility of your computer. By following the step-by-step guide provided in this article, you can easily configure and utilize a new COM port for your USB device. Whether you need to connect to external hardware or establish a virtual communication channel, this How-to guide has equipped you with the knowledge and techniques required to seamlessly integrate a USB COM port into your Windows 10 setup. So, go ahead and explore the possibilities that await you with this simple yet powerful addition to your system. Happy connecting!