Resolving 'Simatic WinCC USB Dongle' License Warnings and Unwanted Asian Languages in PCS 7 V9.0 SP3 UC02

In SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.0 SP3, observing the license warning popup 'Simatic WinCC USB Dongle' upon opening WinCC or starting runtime after installing Update Collection 2 (UC02)—accompanied by Chinese language automatically appearing in project Text Libraries—is caused by an installation script defect in UC02 that inadvertently deployed the WinCC Asian language catalog onto European (EU) software installations. WinCC Asian edition strictly mandates a physical USB hardware dongle; when Asian languages are active in the project database without the dongle, WinCC displays the license error. To resolve this, open the WinCC Text Library in WinCC Explorer, right-click 'Text Library', select 'Remove Languages...', delete Chinese (Simplified) and Chinese (Traditional), verify Computer Properties runtime language is set to English/German, and install PCS 7 V9.0 SP3 Update Collection 3 (UC03) or later.

Executive Summary

Maintaining software lifecycle integrity in SIMATIC PCS 7 requires applying cumulative Update Collections (UC) to eliminate software defects and enhance cyber resilience. However, applying Update Collection 2 (UC02) on PCS 7 V9.0 SP3 European systems introduced an unintended regression: the unattended update installer deployed Asian language packages into the local WinCC installation. Consequently, whenever engineers create new OS projects or open existing projects, Chinese language columns are automatically scaffolded into the Text Library. Because Siemens WinCC Asian Editions enforce license protection via a physical USB dongle, WinCC flags a missing dongle license violation. Removing the unneeded languages and upgrading to UC03 permanently restores compliant operation.

Architecture and Fundamental Mechanics

The licensing and multilingual architecture of SIMATIC WinCC in PCS 7 operates under two distinct global editions:

WinCC European (EU) vs. Asian (ASIA) Editions:
* European Edition (EU): Supports Western languages (English, German, French, Italian, Spanish) and relies entirely on software-based license keys managed by the Automation License Manager (ALM).
* Asian Edition (ASIA): Supports ideographic character sets (Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Japanese, Korean). To prevent software piracy in specific markets, the Asian edition enforces dual-tier protection: a software license key in ALM plus a physical USB hardware dongle (Simatic WinCC USB Dongle).
The UC02 Installation Script Defect:
* In PCS 7 V9.0 SP3 UC02, the WinCC update package (WinCC V7.5 SP2 Upd4) bundled language resource files without restricting deployment to Asian-localized systems.
* The update modified default template databases (@Template.mdf), registering Chinese locale IDs (zh-CN / zh-TW) as default project languages.
* When an engineer opens WinCC Explorer or compiles an OS, WinCC detects active Asian language definitions in the Text Library. The runtime licensing monitor (CCLicenseService.exe) executes its mandatory hardware check: it queries local USB controllers for the WinCC USB dongle.
* When the dongle is not detected, WinCC surfaces the persistent modal error: 'Simatic WinCC USB Dongle missing', threatening to terminate runtime or enter demo mode.

Step-by-Step Implementation Procedure

Follow these procedures to purge unwanted Asian languages and eliminate the USB dongle warning:

Remove Asian Languages from the WinCC Text Library:
* On the Engineering Station (and any affected OS Server/Client), open the OS project in WinCC Explorer.
* In the left project tree, locate Text Library.
* Right-click Text Library and select Remove Languages....
* In the language removal dialog, check Chinese (Simplified) and Chinese (Traditional) (and any other unneeded Asian locales).
* Click Remove / Delete and confirm.
* Save the changes in Text Library and close the editor.
Verify WinCC Computer Runtime Language Settings:
* In WinCC Explorer, right-click Computer and select Properties.
* Select the computer in the right pane and click Properties.
* Navigate to the Parameters tab.
* Under Runtime Language, ensure it is explicitly set to English (United States) or your facility's operational EU language.
* Under Default Runtime Language, verify the same selection.
* Click OK.
Purge Master Template Databases for New Projects:
* To prevent future projects from inheriting Chinese languages:
* Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Siemens\WinCC\bin\ (or the WinCC template folder WinCC\Templates).
* Open the default template project in WinCC Explorer and remove Chinese languages from its Text Library using Step 1.
Install PCS 7 V9.0 SP3 Update Collection 3 (UC03) or Later:
* Download PCS 7 V9.0 SP3 Update Collection 3 (UC03) from Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS).
* UC03 permanently patches the installer scripts, preventing Asian language catalogs from deploying onto European systems.
* Execute the setup and reboot the engineering workstation.
Compile and Download OS:
* In SIMATIC Manager, perform an OS compile with scope 'Entire OS' to rebuild all project text catalogs.
* Download the updated OS project to the target OS Servers and Clients.

Verification

After purging the languages and compiling the OS, activate WinCC Runtime. Confirm that WinCC starts smoothly without displaying the 'Simatic WinCC USB Dongle' license popup. Open Automation License Manager; verify that all WinCC Runtime licenses display valid 'OK' status without missing dongle flags. In the WinCC Text Library, confirm that only approved European project languages are listed.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Do not delete standard European languages (English, German) from the Text Library, as PCS 7 system messages and APL block faceplates rely on these base catalogs. Always back up the multiproject (File > Archive) before applying cumulative update collections.

Engineer FAQ

Why does WinCC ask for a USB dongle if I have valid ALM licenses?

WinCC European uses software licenses only, but the Asian edition requires both ALM licenses and a physical USB dongle. If Chinese language is active in the project, WinCC assumes an Asian edition installation and checks for the dongle.