Resolving PCS 7 Project Wizard Error (2772:106) 'An Error Occurred Creating the Plant Hierarchy'

In SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.0 SP1 running on Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition, encountering the error dialog 'PCS 7 Wizard (2772:106) An error occurred creating the plant hierarchy' when executing the New Project Wizard indicates a known component defect in the Technological Hierarchy (TH) V9.0 SP1 base installation. The wizard attempts to instantiate default plant hierarchy folders and create cross-database links between STEP 7 and the internal TH database, but encounters an unhandled COM exception. To resolve this, install Technological Hierarchy V9.0 SP1 Update 1 (or the PCS 7 Engineering System Collection V9.0 SP2) on the engineering station, or bypass the wizard by creating a manual multiproject structure.

PCS 7 New Project Wizard and Technological Hierarchy Architecture

The PCS 7 'New Project' Wizard is an engineering automation tool in SIMATIC Manager designed to scaffold standardized multi-user architectures in a single workflow. When an engineer completes the wizard dialogues (specifying CPU types, redundant OS servers, SIMATIC BATCH objects, and plant hierarchy levels), the wizard automatically generates a Multiproject containing an AS station, an OS station, a Master Data Library, and pre-structured Plant Hierarchy (TH) folders.

The Technological Hierarchy (TH) is an underlying software service (s7thapp.exe) responsible for maintaining the relationship between plant functional locations, CFC charts, OS pictures, and batch units. During project creation, the wizard calls the TH COM interface to create database tables inside the STEP 7 project directory. If the TH engine fails to initialize these tables, the wizard halts and throws the fatal initialization error: 'PCS 7 Wizard (2772:106) An error occurred creating the plant hierarchy'.

Root Causes of Wizard Error 2772:106 on Windows Server 2016

Detailed engineering analysis of PCS 7 V9.0 SP1 installations identifies three contributing factors:

Software Bug in Base Technological Hierarchy V9.0 SP1: In the initial release of PCS 7 V9.0 SP1, the Technological Hierarchy library contained a thread race condition when creating new database schemas on Windows Server 2016 64-bit systems. The installer left certain COM wrappers unpatched, triggering error 2772:106 whenever the wizard attempted to format hierarchy levels.
Antivirus and Endpoint Security Interference: Unsupported third-party antivirus suites (or aggressive heuristic engines) block the background COM instantiation of s7thapp.exe during project creation. Siemens officially certifies only Trend Micro OfficeScan / Apex One, Symantec Endpoint Protection, and McAfee Endpoint Security for PCS 7.
Missing Windows Server 2016 Updates and ACE Configuration: Windows Server 2016 installations missing core cumulative updates (such as KB4049065 or KB4132216) fail to grant the required Access Control Entries (ACE) to the local SIMATIC HMI and Administrators groups, causing silent DCOM access denials.

Software Components and Update Matrix for PCS 7 V9.0 SP1

The following table details the affected components and required updates to eliminate wizard error 2772:106:

Component NameBase Installed VersionDefect / VulnerabilityRemediation Update PackageTechnological Hierarchy (TH)V9.0 SP1 BaseError 2772:106 during project creationTH V9.0 SP1 Update 1 (Upd1)Engineering System CollectionV9.0 SP1 BaseMulti-component wizard instabilityPCS 7 ES Collection V9.0 SP2CFC Engineering PackageV9.0 SP1 BaseCompiler synchronization issuesCFC V9.0 SP1 Upd2Operating SystemWindows Server 2016 StandardMissing security tokensMicrosoft Cumulative UpdatesAntivirus PlatformNon-certified AV SuitesBlocks TH COM registrationDeploy Trend Micro / Symantec / McAfee

Step-by-Step Procedure to Resolve Error 2772:106

To resolve the error and restore project wizard functionality:

Apply the Official Technological Hierarchy Update:
- Download the latest SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.0 SP1 Software Updates from Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS Entry ID: 109756832).
- Specifically locate and download Technological Hierarchy (TH) V9.0 SP1 Update 1 (Upd1) (or the comprehensive PCS 7 Engineering System Collection V9.0 SP2).
- Close SIMATIC Manager and all engineering tools.
- Right-click the update installer and select Run as Administrator.
- Complete the installation and reboot the engineering workstation.
Verify Windows Security and Group Memberships:
- Open Computer Management (compmgmt.msc) -> Local Users and Groups.
- Ensure your Windows user account belongs to Administrators and SIMATIC HMI.
- Run the SIMATIC Security Control tool from the Siemens start menu; click Make Settings to repair Windows firewall and DCOM access rights.
Execute Project Creation Wizard Without OS/Batch Objects (Workaround):
- If updates cannot be immediately installed due to site restrictions, launch the PCS 7 Wizard.
- In the wizard step prompting for OS objects, select No PCS 7 OS, No SIMATIC BATCH, and No Route Control.
- Complete the wizard to create the bare AS multiproject (which succeeds without triggering the TH bug).
- Once the project is created, manually insert the PC Station and WinCC Application Server via SIMATIC Manager (Insert -> New Object -> Preconfigured Station).
Manual Multiproject Assembly (Permanent Alternative):
- Select File -> New -> Multiproject.
- Add an S7 Program and insert Plant Hierarchy folders manually in Plant View.

Verification

Verify resolution of project creation failures:
1. Open SIMATIC Manager and select File -> 'New Project' Wizard.
2. Select standard options: S7-410-5H CPU, redundant OS server, and 3 plant hierarchy levels.
3. Click Finish; confirm that the progress bar creates all hierarchy nodes without displaying error 2772:106.
4. Switch to Plant View; verify that hierarchy folders, charts, and OS picture containers are populated cleanly.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Update Scope Alignment: When updating Technological Hierarchy (TH) on the engineering station, ensure that SFC and CFC components are aligned with compatible update levels.
Antivirus Exclusions: Ensure that Siemens project directories (C:\Siemens\Step7\s7proj\) and WinCC directories are explicitly excluded from active real-time virus scanners.
Commercial Accuracy Notice: Engineering updates (such as TH V9.0 SP1 Upd1) are provided free of charge under active PCS 7 V9.0 licenses via the Siemens Industry Online Support portal.

Engineer FAQ

What does error 2772:106 mean in PCS 7?

Error 2772:106 indicates that the PCS 7 New Project Wizard failed to communicate with the Technological Hierarchy (TH) COM service to instantiate plant folders.

Why does this error occur specifically on Windows Server 2016?

A timing defect in the base release of TH V9.0 SP1 causes a database instantiation conflict on Windows Server 2016, which is resolved in TH V9.0 SP1 Update 1.