To "make paper" or configure custom paper sizes for Procomm Plus Windows 11
, you must set up the paper size at the system level first. Because Procomm Plus is legacy software (dating back to Windows 95/98), it relies on the Windows print spooler and printer drivers for its formatting. 1. Create a Custom Paper Size in Windows 11
Since Windows 11 handles printer properties differently than older versions, follow these steps to add a new "form" (paper size): Open Print Server Properties
: Search for "Printers & scanners" in the Start menu. Scroll down to Related settings and select Print Server Properties Define the New Form Check the box for Create a new form (e.g., "Procomm_Special"). Paper Size
(Width and Height). Note: It is often best to set the Width smaller than the Height and use Landscape settings later if needed. 2. Configure Procomm Plus to Use the Paper Size
Once the size is created in Windows, you must tell Procomm Plus to use it: Printer Setup : In Procomm Plus, go to the menu and select Printer Setup Select Printer : Choose the specific printer you are using. Set Properties Properties (or Setup). Under the Paper/Quality tab, find the Paper Size
dropdown and select the custom name you created (e.g., "Procomm_Special"). Save Settings 3. Scripting Paper/Printing Tasks (Optional)
If you are trying to "make paper" via automation, you can use the script language included with Procomm Plus: Print Capture : Use the command printcapture on
within a script to automatically send incoming data directly to the printer. Printing Files
: To print a specific log or file from a script, you can use a system command like dos "print
Procomm Plus may struggle with modern "Program Files" security. If printing fails, try installing the software to a custom folder like C:\ProcommPlus
instead of the default directory to avoid permission issues. Are you trying to print incoming terminal data in real-time, or are you looking to print a saved log file from a past session? Windows 11 and Procomm Plus | Tek-Tips 22 Mar 2024 —
To understand how to run Procomm Plus on Windows 11, you first need to understand why Microsoft has made it so difficult.
Can you run Procomm Plus on Windows 11? Yes—but not without significant effort. procomm plus windows 11
Procomm Plus is a masterpiece of software engineering from an era when a modem was the gateway to the world. Windows 11, for all its power, has moved on. But with the virtualization tools of today, you can build a bridge between decades—keeping that old terminal window open, just a little while longer.
Final Tip: If you manage to get it working, back up that virtual machine image to three different locations. You may never be able to recreate that configuration again.
Keywords used: Procomm Plus Windows 11, run Procomm on Windows 11, Procomm Plus compatibility, terminal emulator Windows 11, legacy serial communication, DOSBox Procomm, Hyper-V serial passthrough.
Procomm Plus was once the undisputed king of terminal emulation and data communications software. Developed by DATASTORM Technologies and later acquired by Symantec, it became the gold standard for connecting to Bulletin Board Systems (BBS), mainframes, and industrial hardware via serial ports. However, as the computing world transitioned from DOS to modern versions of Windows, Procomm Plus was officially discontinued, leaving its last stable release (version 4.8) frozen in the early 2000s. Today, running Procomm Plus on Windows 11 presents a significant technical challenge that highlights the evolution of modern operating systems.
The primary obstacle to running Procomm Plus on Windows 11 is the architectural shift from 16-bit and 32-bit environments to a strictly 64-bit landscape. Windows 11 no longer supports the 16-bit subsystems required by older installers and certain internal components of Procomm. Furthermore, modern security features like User Account Control (UAC) and Driver Signature Enforcement often conflict with the way Procomm attempts to access hardware ports. Because Procomm was designed to talk directly to serial hardware, Windows 11’s abstracted hardware layer often blocks the software from "seeing" the COM ports it needs to function.
To bridge this gap, users typically rely on one of three workarounds. The first is Compatibility Mode, though this rarely works for the installation process itself. The second, and more reliable, method involves using a Virtual Machine (VM). By installing a "guest" operating system like Windows XP or Windows 7 within a tool like VMware or VirtualBox, users can create a sandbox where Procomm Plus can run natively. The VM can then "passthrough" USB-to-Serial adapters from the Windows 11 host to the legacy software.
The third approach is the use of DOSBox or specialized emulators. For those using the older DOS versions of Procomm, DOSBox-X provides an excellent environment that emulates serial ports over modern connections. However, for the Windows version of Procomm Plus, many professionals have begun migrating to modern alternatives. Software like SecureCRT, PuTTY, or Tera Term offers the same terminal emulation capabilities with native 64-bit support, modern encryption protocols like SSH, and full compatibility with Windows 11.
In conclusion, while Procomm Plus remains a nostalgic and functional tool for those maintaining legacy industrial systems or vintage hardware, it is an alien in the ecosystem of Windows 11. Running it requires a blend of virtualization and technical patience. While it is possible to keep the software alive through these workarounds, the shift toward modern, secure, and natively compatible terminal emulators is becoming an inevitability for most users in the modern era.
Running ProComm Plus on Windows 11 is possible, though it requires specific installation workarounds because the software is decades old and unsupported. Installation & Compatibility Guide
For the best chance of success on a modern 64-bit system, follow these steps:
Avoid "Program Files": Windows 11 security often prevents old software from writing to its own folders in C:\Program Files (x86). Create a custom folder like C:\Procomm and install it there instead.
Run as Administrator: Right-click the Setup.exe file on your installation media and select Run as Administrator.
Compatibility Mode: If the installer fails, right-click it, go to Properties > Compatibility, and set it to Windows XP (Service Pack 3) or Windows 98. To "make paper" or configure custom paper sizes
Version Selection: ProComm Plus version 4.8 is generally reported as the most stable version for modern Windows environments.
Path Configuration: Once installed, go to Options > Data Options > Paths within ProComm and change the default save locations (Scripts, Capture, Downloads) to a folder within your user "Documents" to avoid permission errors. Known Issues
64-bit Drivers: Old 16-bit installers will not run on 64-bit Windows 11. You may need to copy the installed folder from an older 32-bit machine or use a 32-bit version of Windows in a virtual machine.
Hardware Connectivity: If you are using a physical serial port, you will likely need a high-quality USB-to-RS232 adapter with verified Windows 11 drivers. Modern Alternatives
If ProComm proves too unstable, these modern terminal emulators support similar emulations (Wyse, VT220) and scripting:
Waveshare USB til RS232/485 Serial Converter ... - Amazon.de
In the late 1990s, Procomm Plus was the undisputed king of serial communications—a Swiss Army knife for dialing into Bulletin Board Systems (BBS), managing mainframes, and automating data transfers with its powerful ASPECT script language. For many, it was the first window into a world beyond their own desktop.
Decades later, in the era of Windows 11, Procomm Plus has become a digital ghost. While modern alternatives like MobaXterm or PuTTY have taken its place for most serial tasks, some users still keep the legend alive. The Survival Story: Procomm on Windows 11
While not officially supported, Procomm Plus can still be coaxed into running on modern hardware.
The Installation Trick: Users have found that the trick to a successful install on Windows 11 is bypassing the "Program Files" directory to avoid strict modern security permissions. Instead, installing to a custom folder like C:\ProcommInstall often does the trick.
Legacy at Work: In specialized environments—like maintaining older medical systems or industrial equipment—clients still rely on Procomm Plus for its specific terminal emulations and legacy scripts that never broke.
The "Pingasaurus Rex" Legacy: Old-school engineers still tell "war stories" of using Procomm scripts to automate network fixes for a fraction of the cost of enterprise solutions, proving that simple, robust tools often outlasted their expensive successors. Modern Alternatives
If you aren't ready to wrestle with compatibility settings, these modern tools offer a similar (but updated) experience: For casual users: Use Tera Term or MobaXterm
MobaXterm: A powerful all-in-one terminal for Windows with a built-in X server and multiple protocols.
PuTTY: The classic, lightweight go-to for simple serial and SSH connections.
SecureCRT: A professional-grade terminal emulator that many old Procomm power users have migrated to for its advanced automation and security.
Do you need help configuring a specific script or finding a download for an older version of Procomm Plus? ProComm plus for Windows : ASPECT script language reference
ProComm plus for Windows : ASPECT script language reference : Datastorm Technologies, Inc : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive Hi everyone. Can someone give me some hints on how to
It looks like you’re searching for Procomm Plus compatibility with Windows 11. Here’s the direct answer:
Procomm Plus (originally from Datastorm, later Symantec) was a popular telecommunications and terminal emulation program for DOS and Windows 3.x/9x. It was not updated for modern 64-bit versions of Windows (Windows 10/11).
The Short Answer: Procomm Plus is not natively compatible with Windows 11.
Symantec discontinued Procomm Plus years ago (the final version, 4.8, was released in the late 1990s/early 2000s). It is a 16-bit/32-bit application designed for Windows 95/98/XP. Because Windows 11 has dropped support for many legacy architectures, installing it directly usually results in errors or crashes.
Legacy Telecommunications in a Modern OS: A Technical Evaluation of Procomm Plus Operation on Windows 11
If you have legacy scripts (Aspect scripts) that you cannot rewrite and must use Procomm Plus, you will need to run it inside a Virtual Machine (VM).
dosbox.conf[serial]
serial1=directserial realport:COM5
[autoexec]
mount C C:\RETRO\PPLUS
C:
PPLUS.EXE
Procomm Plus is not usable on Windows 11 without third-party emulation. For users reliant on ASPECT scripts or hardware handshaking:
.conf mapping COM ports to host USB-serial adapters.pySerial for modern Windows.