Microsoft Windows’ backwards compatibility with ancient hardware is usually nice to have but sometimes it detects other serial devices as a serial mouse. This happens whether the device is connected to a real TIA-232 port or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) to TIA-232 adapter. Some USB connected devices, e.g. GPS receivers, have USB to TIA-232 convertors built right into the device.
- Tap the Windows key to begin a start menu search
- Start typing regedit and when the menu entry for Registry Editor App appears
- Right click the menu entry and choose Run as administrator
- When the, Do you want this app to make changes to your device?, prompt appears choose the Yes button
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\sermouse
- Since Windows 10 updates will sometimes change this value back to the default, bookmark this entry so you can get back to it easily in the future.
- Change the value of the Start key from 3 to 4
- Close Registry Editor and reboot the PC
I learned which registry key to change and its setting options from here and here.
If you want to retain the capability of using a serial mouse and just disable it for on one port see here.
Paul Hutchinson's Blog 