3.3 Install the USB Device Drivers (for Hardware Tools)

The MPLAB X IDE installer contains a preinstaller that will place USB device drivers for supported hardware tools onto your system. After MPLAB X IDE installation, when a hardware tool is plugged into the computer, the operating system (OS) should associate the driver with the tool (i.e., finish the driver installation). However, additional steps may be needed for correct association for some OSs and tools.

USB Driver Installation for macOS® or Linux® OS

If you are planning to install MPLAB X IDE on a Mac or Linux computer, no additional steps are needed.

USB Driver Installation for Windows® OS

If you are planning to install MPLAB X IDE on a Windows computer, follow the instructions below.

Note: The USB hardware tool drivers for MPLAB X IDE are not the same as those for MPLAB IDE v8.

The list below shows which tools are affected:

MPLAB ICD 5 or MPLAB PICkit 5
MPLAB ICE 4, MPLAB ICD 4 or MPLAB PICkit 4
MPLAB REAL ICE™ in-circuit emulator or MPLAB ICD 3 in-circuit debugger
MPLAB PM3 device programmer
PIC32 Starter Kit

The list below shows which tools are NOT affected:

PICkit 2 or PICkit 3
Other MPLAB Starter Kits

Complete the instructions in the following sections to determine your installation method.