VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management

Add a Virtual Parallel Port in VMware Workstation Player

Learn how to add and configure a VMware Workstation Player virtual LPT port for a physical host parallel port or a host output file.

A virtual parallel port is virtual hardware that presents a bidirectional LPT-style interface to the guest operating system. The guest can use it much like a traditional printer port, such as LPT1, while VMware Workstation Player sends the port's output to a destination on the host.

The host is the physical computer running VMware Workstation Player. The guest is the operating system inside the virtual machine (VM). A parallel port is a legacy computer interface commonly used by printers, scanners, hardware dongles, diagnostic tools, and specialized control applications.

When a virtual parallel port is useful

You may need this device when older guest software expects an LPT-style interface. Common examples include:

Printing from a DOS or older Windows application to a parallel-connected printer.
Using a legacy scanner or other equipment with parallel-port support.
Connecting a hardware security dongle or control device that expects an LPT port.
Capturing reports, printer output, or diagnostic data generated by older software.

Physical parallel ports are uncommon on modern host computers. A virtual port does not automatically provide complete support for every device that was ever connected through a physical parallel cable. The guest driver, the host interface, VMware Player, and the device's protocol must all be compatible.

Capabilities and limits

One VM can have up to three bidirectional virtual parallel ports.
Bidirectional means data can travel both from the guest to the configured destination and, where supported, back toward the guest.
Every virtual parallel port needs a host-side output destination.
The destination can be a compatible physical parallel port on the host or a file stored on the host.
USB-to-parallel adapters and specialized parallel devices may not behave like a native host parallel port.

Pre-configuration checklist

Requirement: Virtual machine is powered off. Why it matters: Hardware changes generally cannot be made while the VM is running or suspended. How to verify: The VM library shows the machine as powered off, not running or suspended.

Requirement: VMware Workstation Player can access VM settings. Why it matters: You need permission to change the VM's hardware configuration. How to verify: You can open the Virtual Machine Settings window and use its Hardware controls.

Requirement: The host has a compatible physical port when using physical-port output. Why it matters: VMware Player cannot forward output to a port that the host does not expose. How to verify: Confirm that the host operating system detects the native parallel interface.

Requirement: The selected file location is writable when using file output. Why it matters: VMware Player must be able to create or write the output file. How to verify: Choose a folder where your account has write permission and where sufficient disk space is available.

Requirement: Guest software supports an LPT-style port. Why it matters: The virtual device is useful only when the guest driver or application can use it. How to verify: Check the guest's device list and application settings for an LPT port such as LPT1.

Power off the virtual machine

Fully shut down the guest operating system or use the VMware Player power-off command before editing hardware. Do not merely suspend the VM. A suspended VM has saved runtime state and is not the same as a completely powered-off machine; hardware settings may remain unavailable or changes may not be applied as expected.

Open the virtual machine hardware settings

Select the target VM in the VMware Workstation Player library.
Confirm that it is powered off.
Open Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
Open the Hardware tab.
Select Add to begin adding virtual hardware.

Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings > Hardware > Add > Parallel Port

Add a Parallel Port device

In the Add Hardware workflow, choose Parallel Port.
Continue through the workflow until VMware Player asks how the port should provide output.
Choose either a physical parallel port on the host or output to a host file.
Review the device settings, finish the workflow, and save the VM hardware changes.

If the VM already has parallel ports, check how many are configured before adding another. Do not exceed three bidirectional virtual parallel ports for one VM.

Option 1: Use a physical parallel port on the host

Choose Use physical parallel port on the host when the host computer has a compatible parallel interface and you want the guest's virtual LPT output forwarded to that physical port.

Select the physical-port output option.
Choose a specific host parallel port when VMware Player lists the correct interface.
Alternatively, choose Auto detect to let VMware Player attempt to identify a usable host parallel port.
Enable Connect at power on if the virtual port should connect automatically whenever the VM starts.
Finish the wizard and save the configuration.

Automatic connection is appropriate when the same host port and device should be available for every VM session. Leave automatic connection disabled when you need to connect the device only for selected sessions or when the destination may not always be present.

Option 2: Output to a host file

Choose Output to file when you want VMware Player to redirect data from the guest's virtual parallel port into a file on the host instead of driving a physical device.

Select Output to file.
Browse to an existing host folder or enter a host-side file path.
Choose a location where your account has write permission.
Make sure the host has enough free disk space for the expected output.
Finish the wizard and save the VM configuration.

File output is useful for capturing legacy print jobs, reports, or application output for inspection and later processing. It does not emulate every behavior of a printer or specialized parallel device. The guest application must actually send data to the configured LPT port.

Compare the output options

Output mode: Use physical parallel port on the host. Destination: A compatible physical parallel interface on the host. Best suited for: A legacy device that must receive output through a real parallel connection. Required configuration: Select a listed host port or use Auto detect; optionally enable Connect at power on. Key limitations: The host must expose a compatible port, and adapters or specialized devices may not work like native hardware.

Output mode: Output to file. Destination: A file path on the host. Best suited for: Capturing printer, report, or diagnostic output for inspection or later processing. Required configuration: Enter or browse to a writable host file path and provide adequate disk space. Key limitations: It does not directly operate a physical device, and application-specific protocols may produce unusable or empty output.

Finish and validate the configuration

Complete the Add Hardware workflow.
Review the new Parallel Port entry in the Hardware tab.
Confirm the selected destination and the Connect at power on setting.
Save the VM hardware changes with the settings window's confirmation control.
Start the VM.
In the guest, verify that the operating system detects an LPT-style device, such as LPT1.
Run a small test from the intended guest application.
For physical output, confirm that the connected device receives the test data.
For file output, inspect the configured host path and confirm that the file contains the expected data.

Compatibility considerations

The guest operating system and the application must support parallel-port operation.
A physical-port configuration requires a usable, compatible physical parallel interface exposed by the host.
A USB-to-parallel adapter may expose printer functionality without providing the low-level behavior required by a dongle, scanner, or control application.
Some specialized devices require precise timing, direct hardware access, or a device-specific protocol that a virtual parallel port does not reproduce.
Test the complete workflow with the specific guest software and hardware before relying on it for production or critical legacy work.

Troubleshooting

The Parallel Port option cannot be added

The VM may still be running or suspended, or your account may not have permission to modify its configuration. Completely power off the VM, reopen Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings, and verify that you can modify the VM files and settings.

No host parallel port appears

The host may have no native parallel interface, the operating system may not recognize it, or an attached adapter may not expose a compatible port. Verify the hardware in the host operating system first. Try Auto detect when an appropriate host port is available. If your goal is only to capture output, use file output instead.

The port is missing or disconnected after startup

Review whether Connect at power on is enabled and confirm that the selected host destination is available. In the guest, check which LPT port was detected and make sure the application is configured to use that same port.

Output to file creates no file or an empty file

Check that the path is valid, the folder is writable, and the host has sufficient disk space. Confirm that the guest application sends output to the configured LPT device. Test with a simple guest-side output task before diagnosing a more complex application.

A printer, scanner, dongle, or specialized device does not work

Install the required guest-side driver and confirm that the application targets the correct LPT port. The device may require behavior that the virtual configuration does not provide, or the adapter may not offer native parallel-port compatibility. Test the device with a supported host and guest arrangement or use another supported connection method.

Exam-relevant notes

A virtual parallel port is presented to the guest as an LPT-style, bidirectional interface.
One VM can have up to three bidirectional virtual parallel ports.
Each virtual port requires a host destination: a physical parallel port or an output file.
Power off the VM before changing its hardware; suspending it is not equivalent.
Auto detect lets VMware Player attempt to select a usable host parallel port.
Connect at power on controls whether the virtual device connects automatically when the VM starts.
Guest support, host compatibility, and device-specific behavior still determine whether the complete workflow works.

For related VM hardware work, see Adding a Virtual Parallel Port.