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Installing MPLAB® XC16 Compiler

Last modified by Microchip on 2026/07/28 13:53

All MPLAB® XC Compiler Licenses Now Free

As of July 8, 2026, all MPLAB® XC compilers (except for the MPLAB XC16 compiler) are now available without license restrictions, providing users with full access to compiler optimization capabilities at no cost. 

To provide the same access to MPLAB XC16 compiler users, a universal compiler license (with PRO optimizations) is being provided in the "Software Products" section of each customer's myMicrochip account. If you do not have a myMicrochip account, go to the Microchip main webpage and click on myMicrochip Banner to create one. Once an account is created, you will have access to the universal license.

Download the MPLAB® XC16 Installer

Download the MPLAB® XC16 compiler for your operating system. (The compiler downloads are about halfway down the page.)

Download the installer appropriate to your operating system:

Run Installer for Windows®

Go to the location where you downloaded the installer. Unzip the downloaded file and run the installer: xc16-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.

Run Installer for Linux®

You may need to make the file executable. In a terminal, go to the directory where you downloaded the installer and run the command:

chmod u+x xc16-vX.XX-linux-installer.run


Then as root or using sudo, run the installer:

sudo ./xc16-vX.XX-linux-installer.run

Run Installer for MacOS®

Go to the location where you downloaded the installer. Double-click on the downloaded file to unpack it and run the installer: xc16-vX.XX-osx.app.

  
You may get a warning message window. You can click on Open to continue.

warning message about running downloaded files

Your computer's login and password need to be entered if you have enabled that protection for new installations. If you don't have a password enabled, you can just click on OK to continue.

username and password window

All the remaining steps are the same across all three operating systems.

Setup

  
Click Next >.

Setup window
  

Accept License Agreement

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

Click Next >.

Installation License Agreement

Choose License Type
  

As of July 8, 2026, a free universal license with PRO optimizations is available for the MPLAB XC16 compiler. For more information, see the first section of this page.

For this dialog, select Free. Licenses are no longer available for purchase.

Click Next >.
License type selection

Installation Directory

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

Click Next >.

MPLAB XC16 Installation Directory Window
  

Compiler Settings

  • Apply settings to all users of this machine
    • Leave checked or uncheck if required in your environment.
  • Add xc16 to the PATH environment variable
    • Not generally required unless you plan to use XC16 from the command line (terminal or script).

Click Next >.

MPLAB XC16 Installation Compiler Settings Window

Ready to Install Compiler

  
Click Next >.

MPLAB XC16 Installation Ready to Install Window

Setup

  
Wait while the installer unpacks and installs all the files.

MPLAB XC16 Installation Progress Window

Licensing Information

  
As of July 8, 2026, a free universal license with PRO optimizations is available for the MPLAB XC16 compiler. For more information, see the first section of this page.

For this dialog, just click Next >. Licenses are no longer available for purchase. 

Click Next >.

MPLAB XC16 Installation License Window

Installation Complete

  
Click Finish.

MPLAB XC16 Installation Complete Window

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