Getting Started with MPLAB

MPLAB is the programming environment used to write code for PIC microcontrollers. It is provided for free from Microchip.

Download and install (by running setup.exe) the "Full Release Zipped Installation" in the default location. Do not bother to install Hitech-C when asked. You can delete the downloaded .zip file after installation.

To complete the installation, download and install the C Compiler for PIC32. While MPLAB is free, the full version of the C32 Compiler is not. When you click on "MPLAB C Compiler for PIC32 in LITE Mode" you will be asked to register with Microchip. Do so and then you will be allowed to download and install the free academic version (LITE) of the Compiler.