Microchip lists MPLAB X 6.20 as the final version supporting PICkit 3, ICD 3 and REAL ICE, while newer tooling continues to evolve. What should be checked before upgrading a workstation that maintains a PIC project with one of those tools?
PIC Microcontrollers DISCUSSION
Which MPLAB setup should be preserved for a project using PICkit 3?
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Latest activity · 27 Sep 2026Which MPLAB setup should be preserved for a project using PICkit 3?
Re: Which MPLAB setup should be preserved for a project using PICkit 3?
#2Record the complete working combination: IDE, compiler, device pack, debugger model and firmware, target device and project settings. Keep the original installer resources where licensing permits. A newer IDE can be appropriate for other projects while a preserved environment remains necessary for a particular legacy debugger.
Re: Which MPLAB setup should be preserved for a project using PICkit 3?
#3Test the replacement environment on a spare board or a recoverable prototype. Verify programming, readback where permitted, breakpoints and reset behavior, not merely compilation. Compare the generated memory usage and configuration settings. A compiler or device-pack change can affect the result independently of the IDE upgrade.
Re: Which MPLAB setup should be preserved for a project using PICkit 3?
#4If moving to a newer debugger or the VS Code workflow, check the exact device-support list first. Retain a known-good binary and a documented programming procedure during the transition. Avoid changing the compiler, debugger and application source simultaneously, because a new failure would then have several possible causes.