diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 81a4b40b11a..33a43c78352 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@ test = [
     "types-setuptools>=57.0.0",
     "types-tabulate>=0.1.0",
     "types-tqdm>=4.64.6",
+    "types_pywin32>=305.0.0.7"
 ]
 docs = [
     "autodocsumm>=0.2.9",
@@ -211,7 +212,6 @@ module = [
     "mcl_RF_Switch_Controller64",
     "mcl_RF_Switch_Controller_NET45",
     "opencensus.ext.azure.*",
-    "pythoncom",
     "pyqtgraph.*",
     "pywinusb.*",
     "ruamel",
@@ -219,9 +219,6 @@ module = [
     "spyder_kernels.customize",
     "System.IO",
     "uncertainties",
-    "win32com.*",
-    "win32con",
-    "win32gui",
     "wrapt",
     "zhinst.qcodes",
 ]
diff --git a/qcodes/instrument_drivers/QuantumDesign/DynaCoolPPMS/private/commandhandler.py b/qcodes/instrument_drivers/QuantumDesign/DynaCoolPPMS/private/commandhandler.py
index e2e8ab6e9e5..44485c11a70 100644
--- a/qcodes/instrument_drivers/QuantumDesign/DynaCoolPPMS/private/commandhandler.py
+++ b/qcodes/instrument_drivers/QuantumDesign/DynaCoolPPMS/private/commandhandler.py
@@ -10,10 +10,9 @@
     import win32com.client
     from pythoncom import VT_BYREF, VT_I4, VT_R8
 except ImportError as e:
-    message = ('To use the DynaCool Driver, please install win32com.'
-               ' Installation can be done with pip install pypiwin32com')
+    message = "To use the DynaCool Driver, please install pywin32."
     log.exception(message)
-    raise ImportError(message)
+    raise ImportError(message) from e
 
 
 CmdArgs = namedtuple('CmdArgs', 'cmd args')
diff --git a/qcodes/utils/qt_helpers.py b/qcodes/utils/qt_helpers.py
index d7d918c8b50..94cdfad2397 100644
--- a/qcodes/utils/qt_helpers.py
+++ b/qcodes/utils/qt_helpers.py
@@ -25,8 +25,9 @@ def foreground_qt_window(window: "QMainWindow") -> None:
         # use the idea from
         # https://stackoverflow.com/questions/12118939/how-to-make-a-pyqt4-window-jump-to-the-front
         SetWindowPos(
-            window.winId(),  # pyright: ignore[reportGeneralTypeIssues]
-            win32con.HWND_TOPMOST,  # = always on top. only reliable way to bring it to the front on windows
+            int(window.winId()),
+            win32con.HWND_TOPMOST,
+            # = always on top. only reliable way to bring it to the front on windows
             0,
             0,
             0,
@@ -34,8 +35,9 @@ def foreground_qt_window(window: "QMainWindow") -> None:
             win32con.SWP_NOMOVE | win32con.SWP_NOSIZE | win32con.SWP_SHOWWINDOW,
         )
         SetWindowPos(
-            window.winId(),  # pyright: ignore[reportGeneralTypeIssues]
-            win32con.HWND_NOTOPMOST,  # disable the always on top, but leave window at its top position
+            int(window.winId()),
+            win32con.HWND_NOTOPMOST,
+            # disable the always on top, but leave window at its top position
             0,
             0,
             0,