📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses the issue of disabling or enabling a USB com port via Device Manager in Windows. The original poster notes that disabling the port works only if it's not open, as Windows prompts for a restart otherwise. A respondent explains that the "pending change" stored when the port is open requires a reboot to take effect, leading the original poster to consider hardware solutions like relays, as software methods are limited. The overall tone is practical, seeking solutions for managing open USB communication ports.
D

Degibbo

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Aug 30, 2018
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Thread Author #1
G'day all,
If I disable or enable a com port (USB device) via the driver under device manager,
the acton performs perfectly provided the port is not open.

If the port is already open, I get a message that hardware has changed and that a
restart is required. Why the difference, and how can I disable a port that is open?

Cheers & thanks
DG
 

Solution
Neemobeer
If the port is open the disable operation is stored as a pending change since it can't be disabled while open. That is why it states a reboot is required.
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Neemobeer

Neemobeer

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#2
If the port is open the disable operation is stored as a pending change since it can't be disabled while open. That is why it states a reboot is required.
 

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Solution
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Degibbo

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Thread Author #3
Thanks Neemobeer,
That makes complete sense, but now it looks like I will have to interrupt the USB cable wires with a relay to cobble an open port!
I haven't been able to find a way to do this in software.

Cheers,
DG
 

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