Current Version of VCDS® for customers with High-
Tech HEX, KEY, KII or Micro-CAN Series Interfaces

Copyright Notice:

VCDS is Copyright 2000-2025 by Ross-Tech, LLC / Uwe M. Ross. All rights are reserved. De-compilation, disassembly, reverse-engineering, alteration, use as a reference tool for the purpose of developing a product with similar functionality, and re-distribution in any form without the prior written consent of the author is prohibited.

Disclaimer:

By downloading this software, you acknowledge that this Program is provided "as is" and "with all faults, defects and errors" and that all use of the Program is at your own full risk. It has been extensively tested, but we cannot guarantee it will work correctly with every system in every car. We will make our best effort to fix any bugs and to enhance the program, but we specifically disclaim any liability for damage to your computer or your car, and we do not promise to have any particular enhancements available on any specific date.

Instructions:

• Download the self-installing distribution file available below.
• Run it and follow the prompts to allow it to install itself.
• The installer will prompt you if you wish to see a PDF of installation instructions. That PDF can be downloaded here.
• You must install VCDS on your PC's hard disk!
  • It may not work properly if you try running it directly from other media.
  • You do not need internet access while using VCDS, however, internet access is required to update the firmware in our current generation of interfaces (HEX-NET and HEX-V2). So make sure your interface firmware is up-to-date before trying to use VCDS someplace that doesn't have internet access.
• Connect an appropriate interface between the computer and the car.
• Turn the car's ignition switch ON. No need to start the engine.
• Start the VCDS program:
  • Click [Options] and select the correct communications port.
  • Use [Test] to confirm that the program can use the port and find the interface.
  • Then [Save].
• Now Play. Make sure the software can reliably access all the control modules that it should in your car. See our Application Charts. Query Fault Codes from some modules.
• Please check frequently for updates! If you're using VCDS on a PC that's on-line, it should tell you when there's an update available, but if in doubt, check this page.

Release Notes:

• Release 25.3 works with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 (both 32-bit and 64-bit)
  • Earlier versions of Windows such as 2000, XP, and Vista might still work, but we no longer consider them supported.
  • VCDS does not work on Windows 10 or 11 running in "S mode", because "S mode" prevents software from being installed from any source other than the Microsoft Store. If you wish to use VCDS on a computer that came with the "S" version of Windows, you'll have to switch it to run in Home or Pro mode. As of Release 22.3, we have included native builds for machines with ARM CPUs running Windows 10 or 11 only with HEX-NET or HEX-V2 interfaces.
  • Windows running in a VM (Parallels, Virtual Box, etc) may work but is not supported.
  • Windows 95, 98, ME, and NT4 definitely will not work.
  • Computers with ARM CPUs may not work well with some HEX-NET interfaces via WiFi.
    This occurs primarily with the original HEX-NET in black shells and serial numbers starting with 'HN1'. If you encounter this problem, please use the supplied USB cable as a temporary work-around until we determine why this happens and get it resolved.

• Release 25.3 must be used with a licensed Ross-Tech interface.
  • That includes all genuine HEX-, KEY-, KII-, or Micro-CAN series of interfaces.
  • It does not work with any third-party interfaces or some of the older "low-tech" interfaces we made and sold before 2004.
  • If you're a registered user of the old VAG-COM or current VCDS-Lite software and need compatibility with newer cars, you should consider our interface upgrade program.
  • All model-year 2019 and newer cars require one of our current interfaces.
    Although this Release of VCDS still supports every interface Ross-Tech has sold since 2004, none of our legacy interfaces such as the HEX+CAN and Micro-CAN will work properly with 2019 or newer model cars. If you intend to work with 2019 or newer cars and do not yet have a current interface, please contact your distributor or see this page for upgrade options.
  • Support for some model-year 2020 and newer cars is limited.
    Functions that read data should work fine, but SFD will restrict changes in some control modules. Current versions of VCDS do have support for unlocking SFD-protected modules using "off-line" tokens generated by VAG's servers, but Ross-Tech cannot supply such tokens.

• The default installation folder is C:\Ross-Tech\VCDS\
  • It is essential NOT to install in the \Program Files\ tree on systems running Windows Vista or newer.
• To remove other old versions:
  • Versions prior to Release 704, simply delete the shortcuts from your Start menu and
    Desktop and delete the folder(s) where the program was installed..
  • Release 704 and newer may be uninstalled using Windows' Add/Remove Programs or by running the
    Uninstall.exe program found in the folder with the version that you wish to remove.

Download:

The Current version is: Release 25.3.1 Data Version 20250415 / DS365.0

Universal Installer for all HEX, KEY, KII and MicroCAN series interfaces and Windows 7 or newer. Digitally signed self-installing .EXE file ~80 MB

Includes the VC-Scope and TDI Timing Checker "Plug-Ins"

Additional handy links:

Product Revision History

Interactive On-Line Manual

We also have a 76 sheet Printable Manual that you can download.

Printable Manual (~5 MB)
Download PDF Format VCDS Manual
(Right-Click on the above link and select "Save Target As..")
You should tell your PDF reader to "Fit to Printable Area" or use similar instructions
when printing in order to make the images and text as legible as possible.