What are com ports actually for?

[xoggoth]

I'm just curious. Why does device manager show about 8 comm ports in use on a PC that only has one actual serial port?

[krytonsheep]

They're probably virtual ports for things like bluetooth dongles...

[JoJoGabor]

They're for PC World staff to use as sales collateral when customers ask what's so good about a specific PC.

My Mum: "Oooh 8 COM ports, I'll take it"

[NickFitz]

Here's a clue:

Virtual COM port (VCP) drivers cause the USB device to appear as an additional COM port available to the PC. Application software can access the USB device in the same way as it would access a standard COM port.