No HyperTerminal on Windows 10/11? It is not included with either operating system. For a graphical serial connection, free options documented by their projects include PuTTY and Tera Term. Before connecting, get the required baud rate, data bits, parity and stop bits from your device’s manual; also check flow control, which is a separate setting.
What to use instead of HyperTerminal
A Microsoft Q&A response by an Independent Advisor says HyperTerminal stopped being included beginning with Windows Vista; that history is from a community answer, not a Microsoft product specification. Microsoft’s mode command documentation applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11, but describes a command-line utility for displaying device status and configuring parameters—not an interactive graphical terminal.
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PuTTY
PuTTY documents connections to a local serial line. Choose Serial as the connection type, enter the COM port and speed, then open the Serial configuration panel to set data bits, stop bits, parity and flow control.
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Tera Term
Tera Term describes itself as free software and supports serial ports. Its project documentation also lists TCP/IP connections, logging and replay, scripting, terminal emulation and file-transfer protocols. Those features may make it a better fit when a task needs them; the available documentation does not establish a universal winner between the two terminals.
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- Wide range of applications: USB to RS232 DB9 male serial adapter can work with your Windows (10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP), MAC or Linux system and other platforms. USB adapter is designed to connect to serial devices, such as serial modem with DB9, ISDN terminal adapter, digital camera, label writer, palm computer, barcode scanner, PDA, cash register, CNC, PLC controller, tax printer, POS, bar code scanner, label printer, etc
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Match the four serial settings to the device
Use the connected device’s manual for the required values. A familiar setting or an example for another device is not a reliable substitute. Microsoft defines baud rate as the “transmission rate in bits per second” in its mode command reference.
- Baud rate: The serial transmission speed. Both ends need compatible settings for meaningful communication.
- Data bits: The number of data bits in each character. PuTTY documents 7 and 8 as typical choices, but the device manual determines the right value.
- Parity: Whether a parity bit is used and, if so, which mode. PuTTY lists none, odd, even, mark and space.
- Stop bits: Character-framing bits. PuTTY lists 1, 1.5 and 2 as typical choices.
Check flow control separately
Flow control is not one of those four settings, but it can also affect communication. PuTTY documents none, XON/XOFF, RTS/CTS and DSR/DTR. Follow the device manual: an incompatible handshaking choice can prevent communication or affect data transfer.
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For a device-specific example—not a general default—Microchip’s USB serial port guide gives 115200 baud, 8 data bits and no parity, and directs readers to verify settings in the device documentation. The cited passage does not specify stop bits or flow control for that example.
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A terminal needs the COM port exposed by the device or its connection hardware. If the computer lacks a suitable native serial port, a USB-to-serial connection may be relevant. Microchip describes configuring a USB serial port in its guide; this does not make any one adapter universally suitable.
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- Gold-Plated USB 2.0 to RS232 Female DB9 Serial Cable connects serial DB9 devices such as modems, cash registers, and scanners to standard computer USB ports. [Note]: This adapter features a female RS232 connector, NOT male. Please confirm your device's serial port type before purchase
- Built with Prolific PL2303 chipset, this USB to RS232 adapter supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, Linux, and macOS. Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 typically support plug-and-play and automatically identify the device as a COM port. For offline Windows, macOS, and most Linux systems, please download and install the official Prolific driver. You can also download and install the official driver from CableCreation official website. Ubuntu Linux supports plug and play without driver installation
- Widely compatible with modems, ISDN terminal adapters, digital cameras, label writers, palm PCs, PDAs, cash registers, CNC, PLC controllers, tax printers, POS machines, barcode scanners, and other devices with standard DB9 serial ports. Please note this adapter is NOT compatible with cutting plotters and certain SCM equipment. Please confirm your device interface and model before placing an order
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- Confirm the device’s electrical interface and connector before choosing an adapter.
- Check that the adapter driver is installed and that Windows exposes the connection as a COM port.
- Use the device manual for serial settings, including flow control.
Windows’ mode command can report device status and configure serial parameters, including baud, parity, data bits, stop bits and handshaking controls. It can help check or set COM-port state from a command prompt, but it does not provide the graphical interactive session of PuTTY or Tera Term. Windows Terminal is documented as a host for command-line applications; its installation documentation does not establish serial COM-port terminal functionality.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- 9 pin to usb adapter built with the Industry Leading FTDI Chip,supports Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP//2000 /Linux 2.4 or above, Mac OS X 10.6 and above; Drivers can be downloaded at FTDI website.
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