How can you change the serial port numbers in Windows 2000 and Windows XP?

Note: In some instances, Windows 2000 and Windows XP will recognize port numbers above COM9 only if they are prefixed with "\\.\". For example, to access COM10, use \\.\COM10.  For the sake of consistency, this convention may also be used for COM1-COM9, if desired.  Most communications applications handle this automatically; consult your application's documentation to see how it handles port numbers.

Solution:

1. Access the configuration utility by choosing the Start menu > Settings > Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager.

2. Choose the (+) plus sign next to Multi-port serial adapters to expand the list of adapters. 

3. Choose the Digi adapter to configure and right-click to display the menu. 

4. Choose Properties and the Digi AccelePort adapter properties page appears.

5. Choose the Advanced tab > choose a port to renumber > Properties.

6. Choose the COM Numbers tab.
   Note: If you want the selected port and all remaining ports to be successively renumbered, check the Renumber remaining COM ports box before proceeding.

7. Use the down arrow to scroll for a new serial port number.
   Note: You can not select a port that is marked "in use." 

8. If you are individually renumbering ports, repeat this process for each individual serial port you wish to renumber. 

9. After renumbering the ports, choose Ok and exit the configuration utility. Windows 2000/Windows XP will not need to be rebooted.