VCDS is Copyright
2000-2021 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.
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.
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 21.3 works with
Windows 7, 8, and 10 (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 running in "S mode", because "S mode" prevents software from being installed
from any source other than the Microsoft Store. If 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. Devices with ARM CPUs are NOT SUPPORTED.
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.
Release 21.3 must be used with
a licensed Ross-Tech interface. That includes all genuine HEX-, KEY-, KII-, or Micro-CAN
series Interface of interfaces.
It does notwork
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
and have an older low-tech interface, you should consider
our
interface upgrade program.
If you're not ready for an interface
upgrade, you'll have to use
VCDS-Lite instead.
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 with 2019 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 "Mk.8" and ID.x chassis is premliminary. Auto-Scan should work on these cars, as should most functions that read data, but
SFD will limit changes in some control modules.
Nonetheless, would appreciate scans and
channel maps, preferably
posted in our forum.
The default installation folder
is C:\Ross-Tech\VCDS\
It is essential NOT to install
in the \Program Files\ tree in 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.
Printable Manual (
~5 MB)
Download PDF Format VCDS Manual
(Right-Click on the above
link and select "Save Target As..") You'll need Adobe Acrobat
Reader to open the Manual, if you don't have it you can get
it
here 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.
Unless
otherwise noted, all content on this site is Copyright (c) 2000-2021 by
Ross-Tech LLC. All rights reserved. "VCDS", "VCDS-Mobile" and
"HEX-NET" are Registered Trademarks of Ross-Tech, LLC.
Ross-Tech is not affiliated with the Volkswagen Group in any way.
