Determining the Exact SIMATIC PCS 7 Version and Service Pack Across Legacy and Modern Systems

To accurately determine the installed SIMATIC PCS 7 version and Service Pack level, you must check the overarching suite package rather than individual component versions (such as STEP 7 or WinCC). On modern systems (PCS 7 V8.0 to V9.1), open SIMATIC Manager, select 'Help -> About -> Display', or launch the standalone tool 'Installed SIMATIC Software'; the master version is listed at the top under the product name ___SIMATIC PCS 7 EU___ (or ASIA) with its exact Service Pack and Update (e.g. V8.1+SP1). On legacy systems (V6.x and V7.x), the version is identified by the @PCS7 entry, the splash screen during SIMATIC Manager startup, or the PCS 7 Tools version.

The Modular Architecture of PCS 7 and Component Version Discrepancies

SIMATIC PCS 7 is not a single executable program; it is an overarching process control system suite comprising dozens of tightly integrated software packages: STEP 7, WinCC, CFC, SFC, S7-PLCSIM, AS-OS Engineering, SIMATIC Logon, Automation License Manager, and specialized driver libraries. When opening SIMATIC Manager and selecting Help -> About -> Display, engineers are presented with a list of over 100 individual software components, each with its own discrete version number (e.g. STEP 7 V5.5 SP4, WinCC V7.3 Upd1, CFC V8.1 SP1).

Because individual components can be updated with independent hotfixes or updates, attempting to identify the system version by looking at a random component causes severe confusion. Differentiating between legacy and modern version identification mechanisms is essential for maintenance, patch management, and support requests.

Determining Version on Modern PCS 7 Systems (V8.0 to V9.x)

Starting with PCS 7 V8.0, Siemens introduced a standardized suite identifier to eliminate version ambiguity:

Open the Start Menu and launch Installed SIMATIC Software (or in SIMATIC Manager, click Help -> About -> Display).
Select the Products tab.
Sort the table alphabetically by product name.
At the very top of the list, look for the master umbrella package:
- ___SIMATIC PCS 7 EU___ (for European/International language installations)
- ___SIMATIC PCS 7 ASIA___ (for Asian language installations)
The Version column displays the exact system baseline, including Service Pack (e.g., V8.1 + SP1 or V9.0 + SP3).
In addition, the component PCS 7 System Documentation ES or Runtime reflects the base version and is never modified by minor patches.

Determining Version on Legacy PCS 7 Systems (V6.0 to V7.1)

In legacy installations (PCS 7 V6.0, V6.1, V7.0, V7.1), the overarching ___SIMATIC PCS 7 EU___ entry did not yet exist. Determining the exact version requires evaluating specific anchor components:

The @PCS7 Identifier: In the installed software list, locate the entry starting with @PCS7 (e.g., @PCS7 V6.0 SP2 or @PCS7 V7.1 SP3). This entry represents the framework setup marker written by the master installation wizard.
PCS 7 Tools Version: The version number of PCS 7 Tools (e.g. V6.1 SP4) indicates the maintenance pack applied to the engineering system.
AS-OS-Engineering Version: Maps directly to the PCS 7 generation (e.g., AS-OS Engineering V7.1 corresponds to PCS 7 V7.1).

Alternative Version Identification: Splash Screens and Windows Registry

When the software inventory tool is unavailable, engineers can determine the version through two fast alternative methods:

SIMATIC Manager Startup Splash Screen: Double-click the SIMATIC Manager desktop icon. During application initialization, a transient splash screen displays the official PCS 7 banner. In the top-left or bottom corner, the exact version and Service Pack level (e.g., SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.2 SP1) is prominently printed.
Windows Registry Query: Open regedit and inspect the system keys:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Siemens\AUTS
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Siemens\PCS7\CurrentVersion
The string values Release, Version, and ServicePack provide the underlying build metadata.

Comparative Architecture Matrix: PCS 7 Releases vs WinCC and STEP 7 Baselines

The following cross-reference table correlates overall PCS 7 suite releases with their core WinCC and STEP 7 component baselines:

Overall PCS 7 ReleaseMaster Suite IdentifierWinCC Baseline VersionSTEP 7 Baseline VersionReleased Operating SystemsPCS 7 V6.1 SP4@PCS7 V6.1 SP4WinCC V6.2 SP3STEP 7 V5.4 SP5Windows XP Pro SP3 / Server 2003PCS 7 V7.0 SP3@PCS7 V7.0 SP3WinCC V6.2 SP3 Upd1STEP 7 V5.4 SP5Windows XP Pro SP3 / Server 2003PCS 7 V7.1 SP4@PCS7 V7.1 SP4WinCC V7.0 SP3 Upd3STEP 7 V5.5 SP3Windows XP Pro SP3 / Server 2003PCS 7 V8.0 SP2___SIMATIC PCS 7 EU___ V8.0+SP2WinCC V7.2 Upd4STEP 7 V5.5 SP3Windows 7 SP1 64-bit / Server 2008 R2PCS 7 V8.1 SP1___SIMATIC PCS 7 EU___ V8.1+SP1WinCC V7.3 Upd1STEP 7 V5.5 SP4Windows 7 SP1 64-bit / Server 2008 R2PCS 7 V8.2___SIMATIC PCS 7 EU___ V8.2WinCC V7.4STEP 7 V5.5 SP4Windows 7 SP1 64-bit / Server 2012 R2PCS 7 V9.0___SIMATIC PCS 7 EU___ V9.0WinCC V7.4 SP1STEP 7 V5.6Windows 10 LTSB 2015 / Server 2016

Exporting Software Inventory for Siemens Technical Support

When opening a Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS) support request, technical specialists require an exact inventory of installed software:

Open Installed SIMATIC Software.
Click the Export... button at the bottom of the dialog.
Select export format as CSV or Text (TXT).
Save the file (e.g. SIMATIC_Software_Inventory_ES01.csv).
The exported file details component names, internal build numbers, hotfixes, and file paths across all installed Siemens packages.

Verification

Verify accurate system identification:

Open Installed SIMATIC Software and confirm that the primary suite entry displays the expected version.
Cross-check with the WinCC version in WinCC Explorer (Help -> About SIMATIC WinCC). Confirm that the WinCC version corresponds to the expected PCS 7 release in the cross-reference matrix.
In SIMATIC Manager, select Help -> About SIMATIC Manager; verify that STEP 7 aligns with the system baseline.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Adhere to the following engineering precautions:

Never Install Standalone Component Updates: Do not download and install standalone WinCC or STEP 7 service packs downloaded from commercial TIA Portal or standard WinCC portals; only install updates explicitly released as SIMATIC PCS 7 Updates.
Mixed Version Multiprojects: Avoid opening a multiproject across engineering stations running mismatched Service Pack levels (e.g. V8.1 vs V8.1 SP1); internal block library differences can corrupt CFC chart timestamps.
Hotfix Auditing: Installing a hotfix on CFC or WinCC does not change the master ___SIMATIC PCS 7 EU___ string; check the specific component row or exported CSV for granular hotfix tracking.

Engineer FAQ

Why does Installed SIMATIC Software show over 100 individual software entries?

Because PCS 7 is a modular distributed control suite composed of individual subsystem packages (STEP 7, WinCC, CFC, SFC, ALM, BATCH) that are installed and tracked separately.

Does installing a PCS 7 Update change the main version string?

Installing a Service Pack changes the main version string (e.g. V8.1 to V8.1+SP1). Installing a minor Update or Hotfix typically updates the specific component's version and is tracked via the exported software inventory CSV.

How do I export a complete software inventory for a Siemens support ticket?

Open 'Installed SIMATIC Software' from the Start Menu, click the 'Export...' button at the bottom, and save the complete list as a CSV file to attach to the support request.