Licenses

Workstation License

The workstation license is installed on the user’s workstation and comes with three activations for a single user. This is the most commonly used license type.

• Intended for use by a single user
• Can be installed on up to three workstations (desktops and laptops)
• Available in PRO Edition only

For more information see:

• MPLAB^® XC8 Workstation license page
• MPLAB XC16 Workstation license page
• MPLAB XC32/32++ Workstation license page
• MPLAB XC-DSC Workstation license page

Subscription License

The subscription license is installed on a workstation and is automatically renewed every month through purchasing information stored in a microchipDIRECT account and an internet connection, using MPLAB X IDE version 3.15 and later.

• One user per license
• Comes in PRO Edition
• Can be cancelled or renewed in one-month increments at will through the user’s mySoftware account and MPLAB X IDE
• Cancellation takes place when the subscription month has expired
• Requires MPLAB X IDE version 3.15 and later for automated renewal
• Includes unlimited updates to new compiler versions without the need for HPA
• Requires an internet connection for automatic renewal
  • License files are loaded automatically through MPLAB X IDE every month while the subscription is active

For more information see:

• MPLAB XC8 Subscription license page
• MPLAB XC16 Subscription license page
• MPLAB XC32/32++ Subscription license page
• MPLAB XC-DSC Subscription license page

Site License

The site license is installed on a network and can be quoted for seats of five and greater, which can be mixed between any of the compilers: MPLAB XC8, MPLAB XC16, MPLAB XC-DSC and MPLAB XC32/32++. Please contact a local sales office for more information and a quote.

• Intended to have one user per seat and installed on a network
• Restricted to the number of seats purchased
• Allows for volume pricing
• Has a loan-out feature, so the license can be used like a node-locked license for a specific amount of time (one month maximum on loan out)
• Available in Pro Edition only

For more information visit the MPLAB XC Site License page.

Network Server License

• Intended to have multiple users and can be installed on a network
• Restricted to use by one user at a time. The license is available to the other users one hour after a compile takes place.
• Might otherwise require a large number of compilers
• Great for use by global companies with multiple design centers
• Has a loan-out feature so that a license can be used like a node-locked license for a specific amount of time (one month maximum on loan out)
• Available in Pro Edition only

For more information visit the MPLAB XC PRO Network Server License page.

Virtual Machine License

The MPLAB XC Virtual Machine License for Network Licenses is an add-on license for:

• MPLAB XC8, XC16, XC-DSC and XC32/32++ PRO Network Server Licenses
• MPLAB XC8, XC16, XC-DSC and XC32/32++ PRO Site Licenses

Dongle License

The MPLAB XC Dongle License is a plug-and-play license that can be used interchangeably among workstations and users.

• License file is installed on a dongle (USB flash drive)
• Intended for multiple users and mobile use – plug into the workstation’s USB and go
• Includes unlimited updates to new compiler versions without the need for HPA (perpetual license)
• One dongle license is needed for each compiler type – MPLAB XC8, MPLAB XC16 and MPLAB XC32/XC32++
• A minimum compiler version is required to use this product. See product pages below.

• MPLAB XC8 PRO License Dongle
• MPLAB XC16 PRO License Dongle
• MPLAB XC32/XC32++ PRO License Dongle

Trial 60-Day PRO License

A trial PRO license for the MPLAB XC C Compiler can be activated to give 60 days of PRO compiler operation for evaluation. The trial can be activated when installing the compiler either by clicking on a link during installation or by clicking here: Evaluation License.

Compiler Maintenance and Support

MPLAB XC PRO comes with 12 months of High Priority Access (HPA), a support and maintenance service. HPA must be renewed at the end of twelve months. HPA includes: 

• Priority technical support for compiler related queries
• New part support
• New architecture support
• New compiler version and patch level updates
• Free shipping on Microchip Direct for all development tool orders

These installation files update a previously installed compiler with information it needs to support more recent Microchip devices. 

Part Support Patches 

• Will update new device-specific information: header files, linker scripts and memory configuration files
• Will not add new functionality or optimizations to your compiler
• Will not provide corrections to the compiler's operation

Part support patches allow for the selection of new devices not provided originally by the compiler, and use those devices' SFRs and other features in a project. A part support patch is only needed when using a device that is not available in a compiler. 

Part support patch file names include a corresponding compiler version number. If the patch file is used to update the corresponding compiler, then all added parts will work. Part support patches can be applied an older compiler, but not all devices added by the patch are guaranteed to work in the older compiler. 

Any support for new devices added by a part support patch will be incorporated into all subsequent compiler releases. Once an update to a more recent compiler version is completed, part support patches will no longer be needed for those devices. For example, if version 1.30 part support patch is applied to version 1.30 compiler to use a new device, the device-specific information contained in the patch will already be present in the subsequent 1.31 compiler release. 

The compiler's release notes list new devices that it supports. Part support patches have their own release notes, indicating all the devices the support. Part support updates are available free of charge - no HPA is required.