PL2303 Application Note

How to Ignore Hardware Serial Number in Windows

PL2303 USB-to-Serial Bridge Controller

How to use IgnoreHWSerNum Setting in Registry to fixed COM port
number in same USB port

Introduction
If you are manufacturing several PL2303 USB-to-Serial cables with different serial numbers and you
don’t want the COM port number to increase every time you plug a new cable to the same USB port,
you can follow the steps here by adding a binary value (IgnoreHWSerNum) to the Windows registry to
ignore the hardware serial number of the device. This will treat each device with matching USB VID
and PID connected to the same USB port as if they were the same device; using the same assigned
COM Port number. Read the instructions below on how to add the binary value.

How to Add IgnoreHWSerNum to Windows Registry

The following steps will show how to add the binary value IgnoreHWSerNum to the registry:

1. Press the Windows key and run “regedit” in the command line.
2. Click to
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\usbflags .

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the accuracy and completeness of this document and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial
damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
 PL2303 Application Note
How to Ignore Hardware Serial Number in Windows

3. Right-click on usbflags and click New – Binary Value.

4. Enter IgnoreHWSerNum067B2303 , double click and enter the value 01 .

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All information herein is subject to change without prior notice. Prolific Technology Inc. does not make any warranties regarding
the accuracy and completeness of this document and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial
damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
 PL2303 Application Note
How to Ignore Hardware Serial Number in Windows

5. Check if the binary name and value are correct. Exit the Registry Editor program when done.

6. Run PL2303 EEPROM Writer to program the serial number. For PL2303TA PCB, you must
include a EEPROM. For PL2303HXD/EA chip, you need to use a 6.5V USB converter board.
Refer to the PL2303 EEPROM Writer User’s Manual for more information.

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All information herein is subject to change without prior notice. Prolific Technology Inc. does not make any warranties regarding
the accuracy and completeness of this document and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial
damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
 PL2303 Application Note
How to Ignore Hardware Serial Number in Windows

7. Plug the PL2303 cables with different serial number to the same USB port, Windows should now
show the same COM Port number.

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All information herein is subject to change without prior notice. Prolific Technology Inc. does not make any warranties regarding
the accuracy and completeness of this document and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial
damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.