BAFO Technologies manufactured widely available USB-to-Serial (RS232) adapters, primarily utilizing the chipset (specifically the PL-2303 HX, HXD, EA, RA, and SA variants). With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft enforced stricter driver signing and removed legacy support for counterfeit or older chipset revisions. Consequently, official drivers from BAFO (discontinued) do not function natively on Windows 11.
However, Windows 11 can support some BAFO adapters if they use a modern Prolific chip revision (HXD, EA, SA, RA) and the generic Prolific driver v3.8.40.1. Older BAFO adapters (pre-2012) are permanently incompatible due to Microsoft’s security requirements and Prolific’s counterfeit detection. bafo usb to serial driver for windows 11
A USB to Serial converter is a device that allows a computer to communicate with a device that uses a serial interface, such as a RS-232 serial port, via a USB port. This converter converts the USB signal to a serial signal, enabling data transfer between the computer and the device. However, Windows 11 can support some BAFO adapters
| User Profile | Recommended Action | | :--- | :--- | | Home user with old BAFO adapter | Replace with FTDI-based adapter ($15–20) | | Technician needing legacy COM port | Use Solution A + verify chip is PL-2303 HXD or newer | | Industrial/legacy machine control | Install Windows 11 LTSC 2021 (has relaxed driver enforcement) or switch to USB-to-serial with FTDI chip | This converter converts the USB signal to a