The K150 PIC programmer is a budget-friendly USB-based tool used to read, write, and encrypt common PIC microcontrollers. While originally designed for older operating systems, it remains widely used on Windows 10 for hobbyist electronics projects. Key Software Components
To operate the K150 on Windows 10, you need two distinct software packages:
MicroPro (microbrn.exe): The primary GUI application used to load .HEX files, select the target PIC chip, and execute programming.
Prolific USB-to-Serial Driver: The underlying driver that allows Windows to communicate with the programmer’s PL2303 chip. Solving the Windows 10 Driver Conflict
The biggest hurdle for Windows 10 users is the "PL2303HXA PHASED OUT SINCE 2012" error. Most K150 clones use older or pirated Prolific chips that modern Windows 10 drivers deliberately block. Step-by-Step Driver Fix
Uninstall New Drivers: Open Device Manager, right-click the "Prolific USB-to-Serial" entry, select Uninstall device, and check the box to Delete the driver software for this device.
Install an Older Driver: Download and install a legacy driver, specifically the P3200 Vista executable or a driver from 2010/2011.
Manual Selection: If Windows 10 automatically updates the driver again, right-click the device in Device Manager, choose "Update driver" > "Browse my computer" > "Let me pick from a list," and manually select the older version.
Registry Lock (Optional): Some users apply a registry tweak to prevent Windows from auto-updating this specific hardware ID. How to Use the MicroPro Software k150 pic programmer software windows 10
Once the driver is correctly installed and a COM port is assigned, follow these steps to program your chip: How to Use K150 PIC Programmer
The K150 is a popular, budget-friendly USB programmer for Microchip PIC microcontrollers, though running it on Windows 10 requires specific workarounds due to aging hardware drivers Driver Challenges & Solutions The K150 typically uses the USB-to-serial chip. www.davidpilling.com The Problem
: Newer official Prolific drivers often flag these older chips as "phased out" or "unsupported," resulting in a "Code 10" error in Device Manager. : You must manually install an older, unofficial driver (often version 3.3.2.102 or similar from circa 2008). Installation Tip : Once the old driver is installed, you may need to use Device Manager
to "Update Driver" -> "Browse my computer" -> "Let me pick," then select the older version from the list. Core Software: Microbrn The standard software used with the K150 is Microbrn.exe (sometimes found in "diypack" bundles). www.davidpilling.com Port Selection : In the software, go to File > Port
and enter the COM port number assigned to the programmer in Windows Device Manager. Programmer Selection File > Programmer and ensure is selected. Operations : The software allows you to a HEX file, existing firmware, and successful writes. Key Hardware Features davemaster/PIC-USB-Programmer-K150 - GitHub
For a hassle-free experience on Windows 10:
With the right software setup, the trusty K150 can continue to serve as a reliable workhorse for PIC development, even on a modern Windows 10 machine.
Disclaimer: Always ensure you have legal rights to use any software or drivers. Modifying driver signature settings carries minor security risks; restore normal boot after programming. The K150 PIC programmer is a budget-friendly USB-based
The story of the K150 PIC Programmer on Windows 10 is a classic "tale of two drivers."
While it’s a popular, budget-friendly tool for programming microchips like the PIC16F628A
, getting it to work on modern systems is often a hurdle due to aging hardware components. The Core Conflict: The PL2303 Chip Most K150 units use a PL2303 USB-to-serial chip
. The "villain" in this story is driver compatibility: Prolific, the chip manufacturer, discontinued support for older versions of this chip (the PL2303HX) years ago. Windows 10 and 11 will often automatically install a modern driver that detects these older (and sometimes clone) chips and refuses to run them, displaying a "phased out" or "Code 10" error in Device Manager. The Solution: "Roll Back" to the Past
To make the K150 work, users must essentially trick Windows 10 into using an older driver. The Driver Hack
: You typically need to download an older version of the Prolific driver (often from 2008–2010). Manual Selection : You must manually select the older driver version in the Device Manager
by choosing "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer". Persistent Windows
: Because Windows 10 likes to "helpfully" update drivers automatically, you may have to repeat this process if the programmer suddenly stops working after a system update. www.davidpilling.com The Software: Microbrn.exe ⚠️ Important notes
Once the driver is settled, the actual interface is usually a program called microbrn.exe www.davidpilling.com : Users must specify the K150 board File > Programmer and manually set the correct
: Even when functioning, the software can be finicky, sometimes throwing errors that don't actually prevent a successful "burn" (programming) of the chip. www.davidpilling.com Summary of the K150 Experience Using the K150 PIC Programmer Windows 10
The K150 is an older budget programmer that can be difficult to set up on modern operating systems because the original software is outdated and often requires specific drivers that Windows 10 tries to block.
Here is a prepared piece outlining the necessary software, drivers, and configuration steps.
A common misconception is that you can use Microchip’s official MPLAB X IDE with the K150. You cannot. The K150 is a clone of a PICSTART Plus-like protocol but is not recognized by MPLAB’s hardware tool interface.
The K150 is a popular, low-cost USB programmer for Microchip PIC microcontrollers, beloved by hobbyists and students for its simplicity and support for a wide range of classic PIC chips (e.g., 16F, 18F series). However, moving to modern operating systems like Windows 10 presents a significant challenge: the original software and drivers were designed for Windows XP/7. This article provides a solid, step-by-step guide to getting your K150 working reliably on Windows 10.
Using the K150 PIC Programmer Software on Windows 10: Installation, Setup, and Troubleshooting