My NodeMcu v3 Lowlin works fine with Arduino IDE
But is note recognised by windows 10 and applications
Device mangers sees device but Windows app reports
Port already in use or device not found. Note windows
System does not see the device but device manager does.
I Have two NodeMcu v3 same for both.
So it works with at least one Windows app. Which Windows app or apps cannot see the port ?
When the Windows app, whatever it is, reports that the port is in use, is the IDE open ?
What exactly do you mean by this ?
When I connect a USB device e.g. ESP32 devkit Windows System information ports/serial reports on the serial connection. When I connect the nodemcu v3 nothing shows up despite it being recognised by Device Manager and ArduinoIDE which I do not understand. Why is it recognised by Arduino and not any other windows program if both using the same driver CH341 driver. Note even at the windows cmd level the device is not recognised. It looks as if windows is expecting something from the serial interface which it does not find but arduino does not. Has anyone tried to connect nodemcu v3 to Thoorny or upicraft.
You will have to ask that question on a Windows forum 
I've verified a Nano clone and a Wemos D1 (both use the CH340) and Windows system information doesn't show either (device manager does). If I use an Uno with 16U2 or a Leonardo it does see them.
Note: boards with a FTDI232 chip also don't show in Windows system information; tried with a SparkFun RedBoard.
Ok thank you it does appear to be a windows problem of not recognisinf the port with this driver I have no idea why Ardùino Does.
Hi Thank you for your thoughts. I connected to my mac that had a CH340 driver installed but again same problem. Installed Arduino IDE a d added Support for ESP8266 and now mac found device and I could flash micropython using esptool. I can only assume that the ESP installation on Arduino updated the driver in someway. Thorny now sees the device in Windows.
What problem does it cause in practice ?