| What is the activation key? |
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| The activation key is used for creating a license file for the computer Host ID (MAC address) that will be installed on your computer. Activation keys are in the format ‘nnnn-nnnn-nnnn-nnnn’ and are registered in your account on www.microchip.com/mysoftware. Activation keys contain a High-Priority Access (HPA) timer that will expire 12 months after you create the first license file from the key. |
| What is the license file? |
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| The license file is created from the activation key for the computer’s host ID. The license file will allow compiling with your chosen optimization options from -O1 -O2 -O3 or -Os. License files and activation keys are affected by the status of the HPA. |
| What is HPA? |
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High Priority Access (HPA) is a 12-month support package that is available on the Workstation, Network and Site license activation keys. It acts like a timer that counts down 12 months from the first time you create a license file from the key and it then expires.
When the HPA expires, any license files that were created from the key will still allow optimizations with versions of the compiler released before the expiration date of the HPA. If a new compiler version is installed after the HPA has expired on your activation key, the license files from the key will not allow optimizations with the new compiler version.
The HPA can be renewed at any time. It should only be renewed in the account where the compiler license activation key is registered. The HPA cannot be moved from one account to another.
After you renew the HPA, you will need to manually apply it to the original key in your account. Any license files will need to be downloaded again to your computer to take advantage of the new HPA.
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| Is it possible to reset my MPLAB XC Compiler license so that I can install it on other machines? |
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The MPLAB XC Compiler license is created from the activation key for a specific machine’s host ID. Therefore, the License file is tied to that host ID and cannot be used elsewhere. If you are planning to move to a new computer, you will need to create a new license file from the activation key in your account on either www.microchip.com/mysoftware or www.microchipdirect.com. When you have used all three of the activation spaces on a Workstation license activation key, you will need to contact SW.Licensing@Microchip.com for assistance.
If you need to create new Network or Site license files or have any issues with your Subscription licenses, please contact SWLicensing@microchip.com for assistance.
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| How can I register my newly purchased MPLAB XC compiler license key? |
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If you purchased your license through microchipDIRECT, the MPLAB XC activation key will automatically be registered to your microchipDIRECT account. However, if you purchased it through a distributor, you must create a mySoftware account at www.microchip.com/mysoftware. If you already have a microchipDIRECT account, you will also have a mySoftware account. Use your microchipDIRECT login credentials to access your account at www.microchip.com/mysoftware.
If you do not have a microchipDIRECT account, you will need to create a mySoftware account. After you have logged into your mySoftware account, click on the ‘Activate and Register MPLAB software’ link in the left column of selections and follow the instructions to activate and register the license.
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| I have a Workstation license, but I need a Network Server license. Is there a way to change my license type from Workstation license to Network Server license? |
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| Older versions are supported by existing license files only if the MPLAB XC Compiler version was released before the HPA on the activation key expired. |
| Can I install multiple compilers on the same machine? |
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| Yes, you can install different versions of MPLAB XC compiler on the same machine, e.g. you can install MPLAB XC16 v1.00 and XC16 v1.10 on the same machine in different paths. |
| My HPA is not active. Can I upgrade to a newer release of my compiler? |
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Yes, you can upgrade to a newer version of the compiler at any time but remember if the HPA on your MPLAB XC Compiler license activation key is expired, you will not get the optimizations in MPLAB X IDE with the newer version. You will need to renew your HPA to be able use PRO mode in the upgraded version of the MPLAB XC Compiler. Be sure to renew your HPA in the account where the existing MPLAB XC Compiler activation key is registered.
For additional assistance, please read our MPLAB XC HPA Renewal Instructions.
Microchip does offer part support patch releases for the MPLAB XC Compilers. The part support release consists of support files for the newer parts introduced with the newer compiler release and needs to be installed on top of your compiler installation. These support files do not provide any new features or contain any additional compiler architectural enhancements that may be needed for new devices.
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| How can I renew my HPA? |
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To renew your HPA, log in to your account on www.microchip.com/mysoftware. Locate the MPLAB XC Compiler for which you would like to renew the HPA and select the “Renew HPA” option. The link will bring you to the HPA purchase page. Purchase the HPA, return to your account and use the “Apply HPA” option. Download the new license file to your existing or new host ID.
HPA part numbers are:
- SW006021-2H for all PRO Workstation Compiler License activation keys (XC8/XC16/XC32)
- SW006021-2NH for all PRO Network Compiler License activation keys (XC8/XC16/XC32)
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| Can the compiler license be activated through a command line? |
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| No, command line activation is no longer supported. |
| Why am I encountering issues evaluating the licenses? |
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Evaluation mode provides PRO mode optimizations for 60 days and returns to Free mode optimizations after 60 days. No further evaluation is available after that time frame.
If you are encountering issues using the evaluation license, please check the status of your evaluation MPLAB XC License by executing this command, which will show you the number of days that are left on the evaluation license:
xclm –demostat <PRODUCT>
Any of the following events will corrupt the evaluation license file:
- Modifying the system date or time after the installation of the license
- Modifying the ‘.lic’ file and trying to change its contents
- Deleting the compiler license ‘.lic’ file and re-running the evaluation license
- Downloading the evaluation license again from the Evaluation License page
If you want to maintain the same PRO optimization features after the evaluation period ends, purchase an MPLAB XC Compiler license activation key from microchipDIRECT or one of our distributors.
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| How can I get an Evaluation license for the MPLAB XC Compiler? |
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| Go to the Evaluation License page to activate the license. If you have any issues with the Evaluation license file, please contact SW.Licensing@Microchip.com. |
| How can the MPLAB XC Compilers be configured using MPLAB X IDE? |
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MPLAB X IDE should automatically configure the MPLAB XC Compiler. Here are steps you should follow:
- Download and install the latest version MPLAB X IDE for your OS from the MPLAB X IDE page
- Download and install the version of the MPLAB XC compiler for your OS from the MPLAB XC Compilers page
- Open MPLAB X IDE, and follow this path using the Tools drop down menu:
Tools > Options > Embedded > Build Tools (Tab)
The installed compiler will be shown under the ‘Tool-chain’ list. If, for some reason, the compiler is not appearing there, click on ‘Scan for Build Tools’ to scan your machine for installed tools. When they are discovered, you can add the scanned compilers to the ‘Tool-chain’ list.
Note that if the compiler is not installed in its default location, the compiler will have to be added manually. You can do this by clicking on ‘Add’ and providing the ‘<Compiler-DIR>/bin’ path.
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| What is the simplest way to install an MPLAB XC Compiler and license it for optimization? |
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| Install the version of the MPLAB XC8, XC16 or XC32 compiler that you require in Free mode. Log in to your My Software account at www.microchip.com/mysoftware and download the license file from there and install it on your computer. When you launch MPLAB X IDE, it will scan your computer to see if any license files are installed. If it does find a license file, it will use it when you compile code with your MPLAB XC Compiler. |
| Where can I go to download an MPLAB XC Compiler? |
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| Go to the Downloads tab on the MPLAB XC Compilers page or download it from inside your account at www.microchip.com/mysoftware. |
| Where can I go to download the license file? |
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| You can do this inside your account at www.microchip.com/mysoftware. You can also log into www.microchipdirect.com and go to the MySoftware Products page. All your registered compiler license activation keys will be there. |
| How can I change the optimization options? |
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In the MPLAB X IDE Project Properties, go to XC*Compiler >Optimizations > Set Value > Apply
- Open the Project Properties using the wrench symbol in MPLAB X IDE
- In Properties page chose the version of the MPLAB XC Compiler you are working with
- A new page will open, and you can choose the optimization options from the dropdown menu
- Set the optimization value and the use the Apply button
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| Where can I find the host ID? |
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| Open a command window and change the directory to the Compiler install location. Type xclm -hostinfo and choose the MAC address for the NIC. For Linux or macOS operating system users, open a terminal and use the xclm -hostinfo’ command. |
| Where do I put the license file? |
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| Do not put the license file anywhere. Download the zip folder and open it. Run the installer file from the zip folder and it will install the file for you. |
| How do I get MPLAB X IDE to see the license file? |
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| MPLAB X IDE will automatically see the file from the license path. |
| Can I perform offline activation of the MPLAB XC compiler? |
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Currently, there is no way to perform offline activation on a demo (evaluation) version of the MPLAB XC Compiler. However, you can generate the license for the offline computer using an online computer and then transfer this license to the offline computer.
To obtain the host ID of the offline computer, execute the “xclm -hostinfo” command found in the bin directory of the compiler directory.
Go to the Evaluation License page on an online computer and follow the instructions to obtain a license for the MPLAB XC compiler. Copy this license into the “C:\ProgramData\Microchip\xclm\license” folder (Windows OS) on the offline computer and the compiler will be able to access the proper license to run in PRO mode.
Use these paths for copying the license file onto computers running Linux or macOS operating systems:
Linux: “/opt/microchip/xclm/license/”
macOS: “/Library/Application Support/Microchip/xclm/license/”
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| Can you extend the evaluation period in my MPLAB XC Free compiler so that I can evaluate the MPLAB XC PRO compiler for a longer period of time? |
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| No, the evaluation period of the compiler cannot be extended. If you wish to maintain the same level of functionality, you can purchase an MPLAB XC Compiler from microchipDIRECT or one of our distributors. |
| How can I activate my Subscription license on a new host ID? |
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| Contact SW.Licensing@microchip.com for assistance. |
| How do I clear old activations from my list of keys? |
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| Contact sw.licensing@microchip.com for assistance. |
| How can I convert my license for a MPLAB C Compiler to a MPLAB XC Compiler? |
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| There is no migration path from MPLAB C to MPLAB XC compilers. |
| Where can I find legacy Compilers? |
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| Contact sw.licensing@microchip.com for assistance. |
| How do I activate a Hi-Tech C Compiler? |
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| Contact sw.licensing@microchip.com for support. |
| How is a MPLAB XC Compiler for Functional Safety different than the MPLAB XC PRO Compiler License? |
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| It's best to think of the regular MPLAB XC Compiler and the MPLAB XC Compiler for Functional Safety as different tool chains with independent release schedules as they are completely different compiler products that address the needs of different markets. The MPLAB XC Compiler for Functional Safety requires extensive validation and rigorous process compliance documentation to meet functional safety standards. Along with the certificate from TÜV SÜD stating that we’ve met these standards, the development tool documentation is included in the product offering. This includes an extensive package of information including classification and classification review documents, Functional Safety Manuals, FMEA reports and validation strategies and results. |
| What is included with the MPLAB XC PRO Functional Safety Compiler License? |
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A perpetual license that unlocks all versions of functional safety license is included, along with the following documentation:
- TÜV SÜD certificates for all four standards:
- ISO 26262
- IEC 61508
- IEC 62304
- IEC 60730
- A functional safety manual for the functional safety compiler version of your choice
- Safety plan and tools classification and qualification reports for:
- MPLAB XC compilers
- MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
- All MPLAB debugger/programmers
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| What licensing options are available? |
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| The MPLAB XC Compiler for Functional Safety is available as a perpetual workstation license. This license will unlock all versions of functional safety compilers as they become available. If documentation is needed for other versions of functional safety compilers, then they can be purchased separately (when available). |
| Can I upgrade my MPLAB XC PRO Compiler license to a MPLAB XC PRO Functional Safety Compiler license? |
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| Yes. This is done through quote on an as-needed basis only. Please contact SW.Licensing@microchip.com for more information. |
