How to Add a Virtual Parallel Port in VMware Workstation Player

Learn how to add an LPT parallel port to a VMware Workstation Player VM, map it to a host port, or capture guest output in a host file.

A virtual parallel port gives a guest operating system an LPT-style interface. You can connect that interface to a physical parallel port on the host computer or redirect its output to a file on the host.

This feature is mainly useful for legacy operating systems and applications that expect an LPT port. Common examples include older printers, scanners, license dongles, and specialized or industrial equipment. Because many modern computers do not include physical parallel-port hardware, output to a file is often the more widely available option.

Understand the terminology

Term	Meaning
Host	The physical computer running VMware Workstation Player.
Guest	The operating system running inside the virtual machine.
Virtual parallel port	Virtual hardware that provides an LPT-style interface to the guest.
LPT port	The traditional operating-system name for a parallel printer port, such as LPT1.
Bidirectional	Capable of transferring information in both directions, where the guest, destination, drivers, and equipment support it.
Output to file	A setting that saves guest parallel-port output in a file on the host.

Plan the virtual parallel-port configuration

A VMware Workstation Player virtual machine can have up to three virtual bidirectional parallel ports. Each port should have a clear purpose, such as one physical device or one output file. If several legacy applications need LPT devices, document the guest LPT assignment and its corresponding host destination.

Virtual Parallel Port Destination Options
Option	Where output goes	Best use case	Requirements	Limitations
Use a physical parallel port on the host	An actual parallel interface on the host computer	Communicating with an attached older printer, scanner, dongle, or specialized device	Supported host hardware, an available port, suitable drivers, permissions, and a connected device	Unavailable when the host has no supported physical parallel port; compatibility varies by device and operating system
Output to a file on the host	A file in a host directory	Capturing raw output for inspection, testing, retention, conversion, or later processing	A valid file path and a writable host directory	Creates a capture rather than directly controlling a physical peripheral

Prerequisite: fully power off the VM

Shut down the guest operating system and make sure the virtual machine is powered off before changing its virtual hardware. A suspended VM is not powered off: it preserves the running state and should be resumed and shut down normally before you edit the hardware configuration.

Open Virtual Machine Settings

Select the target virtual machine in the VMware Workstation Player library.
Open Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
Open the Hardware tab.
Select Add to start the Add Hardware workflow.

The exact appearance of the management controls can vary slightly by host operating system and VMware Workstation Player version, but the workflow begins with the selected, powered-off VM and its Hardware settings.

Add Parallel Port hardware

In the Add Hardware wizard, select Parallel Port as the device type.
Continue to the destination choices.
Choose whether the virtual port should use a physical host port or output to a host file.

Adding this device makes a virtual LPT-style interface available to the guest. It does not automatically create a physical connector or guarantee access to equipment attached to the host.

Choose a physical host parallel port

Use the physical-port option when the host has a supported parallel interface and the guest must communicate with hardware connected to it.

Select the option to use a physical parallel port on the host.
Select a specific detected host parallel port when the correct port is shown.
Use Auto detect when VMware Workstation Player should select an available host parallel port automatically. This is suitable when there is one appropriate available port and you do not need to control the selection explicitly.
Enable Connect at power on if the port should be attached automatically whenever the VM starts.
Complete the wizard and review the device settings.

Connect at power on controls startup attachment. If it is disabled, the virtual port may not be connected when the guest starts, so an application that expects LPT access can fail until the device is connected.

Physical mapping depends on compatible host hardware, host operating-system support, drivers, permissions, and device availability. A detected port does not by itself prove that a particular printer or industrial device will work correctly.

Redirect parallel output to a host file

File output is useful when the host has no physical parallel port or when you want to inspect the raw data produced by a legacy application.

Choose the file-output destination in the Add Hardware wizard.
Select a host file path in a directory where your account can write.
Use a clearly named file, such as one that identifies the guest, application, and test date.
Prefer an accessible directory where you can easily review, copy, or process the captured data later.
Finish the wizard.

The file receives the guest's parallel-port output. It is raw port data, not necessarily a ready-to-read document, so a text editor may display unexpected characters. The option is useful for analysis, testing, retention, or conversion by another tool.

Finish and validate the configuration

Finish the Add Hardware wizard.
In the VM's Hardware list, confirm that a new Parallel Port device appears.
Start the virtual machine.
In the guest operating system, check that the expected LPT device is present.
Run a small, noncritical test from the legacy application.
For a physical mapping, check that the attached equipment responds.
For file output, check that the selected host file is created or receives data.

Configuration Checklist
Step	Action	What to verify
Shut down VM	Power off the guest completely	The VM is not running or suspended
Open virtual machine settings	Select the VM and open Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings	The correct VM and Hardware tab are selected
Add Parallel Port hardware	Choose Add, then Parallel Port	The wizard identifies the intended device type
Choose destination	Select physical host port or file output	The destination matches the workflow
Select host port or output file	Choose a detected port or writable file path	The port is available or the path is valid and writable
Finish configuration	Complete the wizard	Parallel Port appears in the hardware list
Start and test VM	Boot the guest and send a small test job	The guest sees the expected LPT device and output reaches its destination

Practical configurations

Print from a legacy guest to an old printer

Power off the VM.
Add a Parallel Port device.
Choose the physical host-port destination.
Select the appropriate detected port, or use Auto detect when appropriate.
Enable Connect at power on if the printer should be available every time the VM starts.
Start the VM and send a small test print.

The guest application sends LPT output through the host's physical parallel interface to the attached printer.

Capture raw printer data

Power off the VM and add a Parallel Port device.
Choose output to a host file.
Select a writable path with a recognizable file name.
Start the VM and send output from the legacy application.
Inspect the file on the host.

The host file receives the guest's parallel-port data for analysis, retention, or later processing.

Support separate legacy peripherals

Repeat the Add Hardware process for each required port.
Do not exceed three virtual parallel ports.
Assign each port to a separate physical host port or output file.
Record which guest LPT port corresponds to each destination.

Common Legacy Use Cases
Use case	Recommended destination	Validation method
Older printer	Physical host parallel port when available	Send a small test print and check the printer response
Raw output capture	Output to a host file	Confirm that the file is created and grows after a test job
Legacy scanner or specialized equipment	Physical host parallel port	Run the vendor application and test a noncritical operation
Multiple LPT-dependent applications	Separate virtual ports with documented destinations	Test each application against its assigned guest LPT port

Limitations and compatibility considerations

Parallel-port functionality is intended primarily for legacy workflows.
A physical mapping option cannot be used when the host has no supported physical parallel port. A USB adapter may not provide the same behavior as a native parallel interface.
Results depend on the guest operating system, host operating system, device drivers, permissions, application settings, cables, and the connected equipment.
Some equipment requires timing, signaling, or driver behavior that a virtual parallel port may not reproduce.
Test noncritical output before relying on the configuration for production printing or device control.
For file output, ensure that the destination remains writable and that another process is not locking or replacing the file.

Troubleshoot common problems

The Parallel Port option cannot be added

The VM may still be running or suspended, or a different VM may be selected. Shut down the guest completely, confirm the correct VM in the library, reopen Virtual Machine Settings, and retry the Add Hardware workflow.

No physical parallel port appears

The host may not have parallel-port hardware, or the port may be disabled, unavailable, or missing a suitable driver. Check whether the host operating system recognizes the port and whether another program is using it. Try Auto detect when appropriate. If the host has only modern interfaces such as USB, use file output instead.

The guest does not see the expected LPT device

Confirm that Parallel Port appears in the VM hardware list. Check that the legacy application is configured for the same LPT port exposed to the guest. Also check Connect at power on, then restart the VM after configuration changes.

No data appears in the output file

Verify that the application sent data to the intended LPT device rather than another port. Confirm that the host path is valid and writable, choose a directory where your account has write permission, and run a small test job. Make sure you are checking the file assigned to the correct virtual port.

The connected device does not respond

Check the cable, device power, and host-side port availability. Select the correct host port explicitly instead of relying on automatic detection. Test a simple output job and review the device and application requirements. The hardware may require behavior outside the supported virtual-port implementation.

Change or remove a virtual parallel port

Power off the VM before changing or removing this hardware.

Select the VM in the library.
Open Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
On the Hardware tab, select the Parallel Port device.
Change its physical-port or file destination, or choose the option to remove the device.
Apply the change and start the VM when ready.

Removing the virtual device changes what the guest can access. Applications configured for a particular LPT port may stop working or require reconfiguration, so record the old mapping before removing it.

Exam-relevant notes

A virtual parallel port emulates an LPT-style, bidirectional guest device; it does not automatically provide a physical connector.
The maximum is three virtual bidirectional parallel ports per virtual machine.
The VM must be fully powered off, not suspended, before hardware changes.
The two main destinations are a physical parallel port on the host and a file on the host.
Auto detect lets VMware select an available host parallel port, while Connect at power on attaches the device when the VM starts.
Always validate both the guest's LPT assignment and the host destination with a small test.