If you are working with older programmers or debuggers, v5.35 often provides better "out-of-the-box" driver support than the latest releases. The Benefits of a Portable Version
| Feature | True Portable (Ideal) | Semi-Portable (This Guide) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Runs without admin rights | Yes | Mostly – but first launch may need driver install (PICkit/ICD) | | Zero registry writes | Yes | No – HKCU entries for UI preferences remain | | Works across different Windows versions | Yes | v5.35 works on Win7, 8.1, 10, 11 – but drivers vary | | USB drive ejection safety | Yes | OK if you close IDE first | | Device Family Pack updates | Manual sync | Manual – you must update DFP on the USB drive |
Instead of running the installer to modify your main operating system, you can extract its contents directly to your portable storage media.
Locate the mplab_ide.conf file within the etc folder of your extracted directory. Open it with a text editor. Find the lines for default_userdir and default_cachedir . download mplab x ide v535 portable
This is heavy (20+ GB) but perfectly portable and immune to host OS changes.
Use the command line to extract the .tar or script contents into a targeted directory on your portable drive without executing the root installation script. Step 3: Localize User and Cache Folders
Locate and edit the mplab_ide.conf file using a text editor. If you are working with older programmers or debuggers, v5
To ensure a seamless experience when jumping between different computers with your portable setup, keep these tips in mind:
Version 5.35 is often considered a "stable" release by many in the microchip community. While it lacks some of the newest PIC device support found in versions 6.0+, it offers several key advantages:
| Feature | User-Portable v5.35 | Official Desktop v5.35 | Cloud-Based MPLAB Xpress | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Required (on drive) | Required (on system) | None (web browser) | | Hardware Debug | Depends on local drivers | Fully supported | Not supported | | MPASM Support | Yes | Yes | Unclear | | Internet Needed | No (for operation) | No (for operation) | Yes (always) | | Offline Use | Yes | Yes | No | Open it with a text editor
If you are looking for a , please use the official Microchip archive to stay safe and legally compliant.
Works well with PICkit™ 3, PICkit 4, ICD 3, ICD 4, and REAL ICE. How to Download MPLAB X IDE v5.35 (Legacy Archive)
It was the first 64-bit version of the IDE, improving performance on modern Windows, Linux, and macOS systems. 2. Potential "Portable" Workarounds