I seem to be having more and more problems getting my Windows Device Manager to consistently recognize my Pro Micro devices as a proper USB port. These are the Arduinos that look like Leonardos and have a built in Micro USB
Its Windows 10 (yes I don't like it either) and with the device manager open, when I plug in the Pro Micro, the Device Manger refreshes but many times does not assign a Com port to the Pro Micro.
I have been buying cheap Pro Micros from Ebay so I guess that is probably my issue.
Today I got 4 new Pro Micros in. 2 of them quickly launch the proper device driver and come up as Com5, which is typical for my system. The other 2 cause the Device Manager to reload but do not assign themselves a Com Port.
As a solution, I just installed 1.8.7 as I had been running 1.8.5. This didn't seem to change anything.
I am pretty sure that the 1.8.7 reinstalled the USB Drivers but I am not sure.
One other thing I thought I would try is to pull out one of my Windows 7 machines and load the IDE on it to see if I can get a different response.
Maybe one of you have seen this problem and can offer me a suggestion.
If the suggestion is just to buy more expensive Arduinos, I am already on that and will shop for a couple tonight.
Greg
If you're using the 'cheap' Arduinos (aka clones) they're probably using the CH340 chip which the IDE does not load. You need to download and install these drivers yourself. Do a quick Google of Arduino CH340 and all the info you need is there.
Thanks for the idea but the Pro Micros apparently do not have the Ch340 USB chip. The 32U4 apparently has the USB hardware inside.
Unless all my ProMicro Leonardo devices are dead, something else has happened. These are the only Arduinos I have ever used and I have been working with them for several months now.
Again, the device driver tries to load but no com port shows up. Nothing for the IDE to grab on to.
I will keep looking.
Greg
I have a new description of the problem...
I just loaded the IDE on my good old reliable Windows 7 Laptop.
All of my ProMicros work just fine.
Something now is wrong with my Windows10 USB drivers or hardware that may have updated with I wasn't looking. I leave it on all the time with auto update.
A least I can get my work done while I am searching out the solution.
I wish I could go back to Win7 -- but I also wish i was still in my 20's
Greg
Ah ha! I have left all my machines with Win 7. Just loaded a new one this weekend. Beyond 7, I think it's time for Ubuntu.
Hello gmcmurry
Have you tried to uninstall COM5 port , then to restart W10?
Regards,
bidouilleelec
Hi,
If you leave it on all the time, have you turned it off and on to properly install the updates?
Tom... 
I was in a panic most of the night. How will I get any work done today?
So I laid out all my current batch of Pro Micro chips and put a little number on each one.
Then I uninstalled my current version IDE using Windows Remove.
Then my "normal" two complete reboots, complete power off / power on for my Win10 machine.
I searched my machine for any Arduino files, none to be found. However there must have been some in my User Folder because my default Sketchbook Location was saved after reinstalling.
I reloaded 1.8.7
Again a complete reboot, power off / power on.
Then I started with ProMicro #1 and went through the batch. All but one of them launched Com5 Leonardo in the device manager. That one that didn't work is now in the trash. (excuse me, my e-waste bin)
I ran the IDE and test programmed each remaining ProMicro (thats about 8 of them) and they all seem to be working fine now.
So, I may never know what my problem was, but it seems to be solved now.
Back to work.
Greg
Hello gmcmurry
So :Have you uninstalled COM5 port , then restart W10?
I'm interested by your next answer.
Your last message is not so clear (for me).
Regards,
bidouilleelec
I just uninstalled the IDE with Windows Remove and then did 2 full Windows Power Cycles. I just have always done that. Probably not necessary, but we used to reboot twice. The first time, clearing out all the registers and the 2nd time letting Windows start when everything was cleared.
Then I did a fresh install of the IDE. After that it seemed to fix everything. No special USB drivers are necessary for the ProMicro.
Previously, I was not getting a com port to show up in the Device Manager when I plugged in the ProMicro. Now I do.
Greg
Hello gmcmurry
Then I did a fresh install of the IDE.
Thanks for your answer.
So that was not a W10 issue.
One time I had to uninstall port COM and reboot W10.
Regards,
bidouilleelec
I think you should be suspicious of everything W10....
Unfortunately, we all have no choice. I have been moving to Win10 as slowly as possible.
I always say, if wanted a Mac I would have purchased a Mac.
There is a reason one is called a "PC" a personal COMPUTER and the other Mac . A "PC" is a "computer".
Sorry -- wrong venue for this topic.
Greg