Installation and Setup

The projects in this training series will require the following software and hardware tools installed on a computer.
Four main steps need to be completed:

  1. Install MPLAB® X IDE.
  2. Install MPLAB XC8 Compiler.
  3. Install Hardware Programmer and Development Board.
  4. Install MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC).

Each step is described below.

1. Install MPLAB X

The first step is to download and install the MPLAB X IDE. Follow the steps below to complete the installation for your operating system.

64-bit Windows is required for reasonable performance using MPLAB® X IDE. MPLAB X IDE can run on a 32-bit Windows installation, but will likely experience slower performance. It is recommended to update the operating system to 64-bit Windows prior to installing MPLAB X IDE.

1

Download MPLAB® X Installer

Tool About Installers
Installation
Instructions
Windows Linux Mac OSX
MPLAB® X
Integrated Development Environment

2

Run the Installer

Choose your operating system from the tabs below:

1

Run Installer

WinInstall.png
Go to the location where you downloaded the installer. Unzip the downloaded file and run the installer:
MPLABX-vX.XX-windows-installer.exe.

Depending on your Windows® security settings, you may get a window asking if you are sure you want to run this program. Click Yes.

2

Setup

Click Next >.

install1.png
Click image to enlarge.

3

License Agreement

Click the I accept the agreement radio button.

Click Next >.

install2.png
Click image to enlarge.

4

Installation Options

By default, MPLAB® X IDE will be installed at C:\Program Files (x86)\Microchip\MPLABX or C:\Program Files\Microchip\MPLABX as of v5.45. If you would prefer a different directory, click on the folder icon to the right of the text box and select the desired installation location.

If you don't have an internet connection, select No Proxy. Otherwise, select Use System Proxy Settings.

Click Next >.

install3.png
Click image to enlarge.

5

Select Applications

If you only want to install MPLAB X IDE or MPLAB IPE, check or uncheck the appropriate boxes. Generally, you should install both programs.

Select the device families you want to be installed. Selecting only what you want makes the installation smaller. You can always run the installer again to add other device families or use the MPLAB Pack Manager to install a single device family pack.

Click Next >.

install4.png
Click image to enlarge.

6

Ready to Install

Click Next >.

install5.png
Click image to enlarge.

7

Installing

Wait until the installer has finished installing all components of the IDE.

install6.png
Click image to enlarge.

8

Permit Device Driver Installation

The USB device drivers are required to communicate with Microchip's hardware development tools.

Check the Always trust software from Microchip Technology box to prevent this dialog from appearing in the future.

install7.png
Click image to enlarge.

9

Complete

Leave the box checked if you want to have your web browser opened to the Microchip MPLAB XC compiler download page to download a compiler for use with MPLAB X IDE.

Uncheck the box if you already have a compiler or want to download one later.

Click Finish.

Installation is complete. There will be icons for MPLAB X IDE and MPLAB IPE on the desktop. There will also be launchers in the Windows/Start menu under All Programs > Microchip > MPLAB X IDE.

install8.png
Click image to enlarge.

2. Install MPLAB XC8 Compiler

The second step is to install the XC8 compiler. Follow the steps below to complete the installation at the default location. Once installed, MPLAB X should automatically find it when creating a new project.

1 Download MPLAB® XC8 Installer


MPLAB® XC8
Compiler

Download the installer appropriate to your operating system.

2 Run the Installer

Choose your operating system from the tabs below:

1

Run Installer

WinInstall.png
Go to the location where you downloaded the installer. Unzip the downloaded file and run the installer:
xc8-vX.XX-windows-installer.exe.

Depending on your Windows security settings, you may get a window asking if you are sure you want to run this program. Answer Yes.

2

Setup

Click Next >

install1w.png
Click image to enlarge.

3

Accept License Agreement

Click on the radio button next to I accept the agreement.

Click Next >

install2w.png
Click image to enlarge.

4

Choose Installer

If you are installing the compiler for use on your machine only, click on the radio button next to Install compiler.

If you have a network license and are installing on a server, click on the radio button next to Install the Network License Server.

Click Next >

install3w.png
Click image to enlarge.

5

Installation Type

If you selected a network license server, provide the name of the network license server.

Click Next >

install4w.png
Click image to enlarge.

6

Installation Directory

Use the default installation location or choose a different one, if you prefer.

Click Next >

install5w.png
Click image to enlarge.

7

Compiler Settings

  • Apply settings to all users of this machine
    • Leave checked or uncheck if required in your environment.
  • Add xc8 to the PATH environment variable
    • Not generally required unless you plan to use XC8 from the command line (terminal or script).


Click Next >

install6w.png
Click image to enlarge.

8

Ready to Install Compiler

Click Next >

install7w.png
Click image to enlarge.

9

Setup

Wait while the installer unpacks and installs all the files.

install8w.png
Click image to enlarge.

10

Licensing Information

Click Next > if you:

  • Have activated a license on a previous version of MPLAB XC8.
  • Wish to use the free version of the compiler (some optimization features disabled).


Otherwise, choose to:

  • Purchase a license (to receive an activation key that will unlock the Standard or Pro optimization features).
  • Use the Pro evaluation version (reverts to free version after 60 days).
  • Provide an activation key.


Click Next >

install9w.png
Click image to enlarge.

11

Installation Complete

Click Finish

install10w.png
Click image to enlarge.

3. Install Hardware Programmer and Development Board

The software drivers for the development tool are built into the MPLAB X software installation. The only steps required are to connect the programmer to the computer USB port and then to the development board.

ICSP™ Implementation Configuration

Connecting a PIC® MCU to a programmer/debugger uses a connection scheme called In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP). It's through the PGC and PGD connections that the device is programmed with the application software. These connections can be built on an electrical breadboard or circuit board per the schematic shown.

Figure: ICSP Application Circuit
ICSP_schematic.jpg

For simplicity, Microchip offers many different development boards that already provide this type of built-in connection. For the projects in this series, the PICDEM™ Lab II Development Board is used with the components included with the board. The PICDEM Lab II has an ICSP 6-pin connector for the PICkit™ 3.

picdem2lab.jpg

The PICDEM Lab II Development Board is a development and teaching platform for use with 8-bit PIC® microcontrollers (MCUs). At its center, a large prototyping breadboard enables users to easily experiment with different values and configurations of analog components for system optimization. Several external connectors allow for user-customizable expansion, while our library of labs and application notes enrich the development experience. The PICDEM Lab II Development Board is also fully compatible with our latest software development environment.

 
Microchip Direct
Buy here >

1 Connect the Hardware

Select your development tool specific instructions.


4. Install MCC

The MCC requires you to first start MPLAB X and then from the MPLAB X menu, you can install the MCC plugin. Follow the instructions given below.

1 MCC Installation

The MCC plugin can be installed from the Tools/Plugins menu in the MPLAB X IDE

Instructions:

© 2024 Microchip Technology, Inc.
Notice: ARM and Cortex are the registered trademarks of ARM Limited in the EU and other countries.
Information contained on this site regarding device applications and the like is provided only for your convenience and may be superseded by updates. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application meets with your specifications. MICROCHIP MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WRITTEN OR ORAL, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, RELATED TO THE INFORMATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ITS CONDITION, QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PURPOSE. Microchip disclaims all liability arising from this information and its use. Use of Microchip devices in life support and/or safety applications is entirely at the buyer's risk, and the buyer agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Microchip from any and all damages, claims, suits, or expenses resulting from such use. No licenses are conveyed, implicitly or otherwise, under any Microchip intellectual property rights.