NOTE: For the most up to date article and video on how to get RSLogix, Emulate and RSLinx for free, click here.
NOTE: The free “RSLogix Micro Starter Lite” software I show how to download in this article only works with the MicroLogix 1000, MicroLogix 1100, and free SLC-500 Emulator.
If you need help learning to use RSLogix, check out my Five-Star Rated PLC Courses at The Automation School. They come with instructor support and never expire.
NOTE: About programming software for other A-B PLCs:
As of today there is no free “programming software” for the following A-B PLCs:
- MicroLogix 1200/1400/1500 (click here for that software,)
- PLC-2/3/5, SLC-500
- SLC-100/150 (click here to learn more)
- CompactLogix and ControlLogix
Options to program those PLCs are:
-
- Ask Rockwell for a thirty day demo download of the software (aka temporary activation)(click here for details)
- Borrow the “install discs” or “install files,” then install and use the software for seven days in “grace mode”
- Call your local Rockwell rep. (click here to find) to purchase a software license
Note: You can program the Micro800 series of PLCs with Rockwell’s free CCW software (click here to get CCW).
How to download RSLogix Micro, RSLinx, and Emulate 500
Step 1) Start by navigating to http://www.ab.com:
Step 2) Next select “Downloads” on the front page (the links may not be in the same order shown below:)
Step 3) Now click on “Downloads By Product”:
Step 4) And search for “1763”:
Step 5) Select “1763-Lxxx” from the list, and choose version “10”:
Step 6) Then click on the “Downloads” button as shown below:
Step 7) And now click on the small “Download” icon:
Step 8) In the popup window that comes up, select the check-boxes for RSLogix Micro Starter Lite w/o RSLinx EN, RSLogix Emulate 500, and RSLinx Classic Lite as shown below. Then click on the “Downloads” link on the top right of the window:
Step 9) Now select the “Download Now” button on the bottom right on the next popup window:
Update for August 2022:
If you are running into an issue when you get to Steps 9 to 11, you may need to clear your browsers cache. I had the issue pictured below in both Chrome and Edge, and clearing the cache fixed it:
Step 10) At this point you may be asked to sign in:
NOTE: If you don’t already have a free account for Rockwell’s website, go ahead and create one (be sure to use a valid email address as you’ll need to open the email they send you to confirm your registration.) Once your account is setup, sign in so you can continue with the download.
Step 11) Once signed in, accept the end user license agreement:
Step 12) Here I use to recommend selecting “Direct Download,” but as the download manager now automatically downloads, it easier to just run it after it downloads:
That said, if you’d prefer to manually download the files, you can do so by clicking here:
Step 13) Once the downloads complete, you can click on this link to open the folder they downloaded to:
NOTE: In this example RSLinx was downloaded into the MicroLogix folder along with RSLogix.
If you run into issue using RSLogix, feel free to sign-up to my Locals community and I’ll help you there, or grab my PLC Basics course at TheAutomationSchool.com and I’ll support you as the instructor of that course.
Compatibility Note: Below you’ll find a screenshot of Rockwell’s website showing which versions of Windows 7 RSLogix Micro 8.3 is supported on (it does work well on Windows 10, but the free version is not officially supported on it:)
For information on other operating systems check out Rockwell’s compatibility website using the link below:
Until next time, Peace ✌️
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Shawn M Tierney
Technology Enthusiast & Content Creator
Eliminate commercials and gain access to my weekly full length hands-on, news, and Q&A sessions by becoming a member at The Automation Blog or on YouTube. You'll also find all of my affordable PLC, HMI, and SCADA courses at TheAutomationSchool.com.
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