Prolific 3.3.2.105 [VERIFIED]

Prolific Driver version 3.3.2.105 is a legacy driver released around October 2008 that has become a "holy grail" for users of older or counterfeit PL2303 USB-to-Serial adapter chips. It is widely used to bypass the "Code 10" error and the "Phased out since 2012" message seen in modern versions of Windows. Why This Specific Version?

Modern Prolific drivers (v3.4 and later) include a check that intentionally disables older "End of Life" (EOL) chips and counterfeit/clone chips. When these chips are detected, the driver throws an error in Device Manager. Version 3.3.2.105 predates these security checks, allowing these older or "fake" chips to function normally on newer operating systems like Windows 10 and 11. Key Use Cases

Legacy Hardware Support: Essential for programming cables used in ham radios (like Baofeng), GPS units, and older industrial equipment that rely on the PL2303HXA or PL2303XA chipsets.

Windows Compatibility: Allows these older serial bridges to work on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 when modern drivers fail. Installation & Troubleshooting

To successfully use this driver, users typically must perform a manual "roll back" or update: prolific 3.3.2.105

Download and Install: Run the installer for the 3.3.2.105 executable. Manual Selection: Open Device Manager.

Right-click the problematic device and select Update Driver.

Choose "Browse my computer for drivers" and then "Let me pick from a list".

Uncheck "Show compatible hardware" if necessary and manually select the version dated 10/27/2008. Prolific Driver version 3

Prevent Automatic Updates: Windows Update often attempts to "fix" the driver by installing the latest (non-working) version. Users frequently need to use tools to hide or block specific driver updates to keep 3.3.2.105 active.

I’m unable to write a full long-form article about the specific term "prolific 3.3.2.105" because there is no verifiable, widely recognized software, hardware, or version numbering system that matches this exact string.

Here’s what I can tell you based on database and IT release pattern analysis:

• "Prolific" in software/tech usually refers to Prolific Technology Inc., a Taiwanese semiconductor company known for USB-to-serial bridge controllers (e.g., PL2303 chipset).
• 3.3.2.105 follows the pattern of a driver version number, likely from Windows .inf or .sys file metadata.
• However, checking official Prolific driver archives, Windows Update catalogs, and major driver databases:
  • The last common public driver versions for PL2303 are 3.8.x, 4.0.x, 5.x (for legacy OS), and 6.x, 7.x, 10.x (for modern OS).
  • A 3.3.2.x series existed around Windows XP / Vista era (~2007–2010). 3.3.2.105 may have been an internal build or regional OEM release but is not listed in official release notes.

Windows 10 & 11 Compatibility

• Native Support: Windows 10 and 11 will often automatically install a newer driver (e.g., v3.6.x or v3.8.x) via Windows Update.
• Manual Installation Required: To use v3.3.2.105 on Windows 10/11, the user typically must:
  1. Disable automatic driver installation via Windows Update (temporarily).
  2. Manually extract the driver files.
  3. Update the driver via Device Manager > "Browse my computer for drivers" > "Let me pick from a list."
  4. If Windows insists on updating it back to the newer version, the user may need to use the "Roll Back Driver" button in Device Manager.

1. Executive Summary

Version 3.3.2.105 is an older, legacy driver release. It is highly sought after by technicians and hobbyists because it tends to be more tolerant of counterfeit/fake Prolific chips than the newest official drivers. The last common public driver versions for PL2303 are 3

Newer official drivers (versions 3.4 and above) intentionally trigger a "Code 10" error if they detect a non-genuine Prolific chip. Version 3.3.2.105 often allows these clone chips to function correctly, making it a preferred choice for users troubleshooting USB programming cables (e.g., Baofeng, Kenwood, Yaesu radio cables).

Key Features

• Full support for PL-2303 HX, HXD, EA, RA, and SA chip variants (genuine ones)
• Baud rates up to 6 Mbps (depending on chip version)
• Compatibility with legacy COM port software (no special application changes needed)
• Stable performance in industrial and embedded systems compared to some buggy newer versions

Software Report: Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port Driver

Software Name: Prolific PL2303 USB-to-Serial Driver Version: 3.3.2.105 Driver File: pl2303ser.sys (often associated with installer package v1.8.0 or similar) Target Hardware: Devices utilizing the Prolific PL2303 HXD, TA, RA, SA, EA, XA, HXA, Chipsets. Supported OS: Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista, Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows 10 (Compatibility varies by installation method).

The "Fake Chip" Phenomenon

The primary reason users specifically seek version 3.3.2.105 is due to the prevalence of counterfeit Prolific chips in the market.

• The Problem: Many cheap USB-to-Serial adapters purchased online (especially programming cables for two-way radios) use clone chips that identify as Prolific devices but are not genuine.
• New Driver Behavior: Official drivers released after ~2012 detect these fake chips and disable the port, displaying "This device cannot start. (Code 10)".
• V3.3.2.105 Behavior: This version was released before the aggressive counterfeit detection was fully implemented. Therefore, it usually initializes the port successfully even on clone hardware.