VCDS question

[sidepod]

I’m about to treat myself. Does anybody know if the license is locked to one particular laptop or can you swap it over from one to another?

 

[sidepod]

…….or or it web based, in which case it won’t matter?

 

[yossarian]

The dongle will be locked to x VINs. The software is freely transferable (and downloadable). I think it's a windows program, might run under wine.

 

[Alan Andrews]

License is linked to vehicle registration ID.

I have unlimited license, so can move around vehicles and manufacturers (VW, Audi, Skoda, Lamborghini) without issue.

This also means that if I ever come to sell, then it wil be easier to do so, and I'll get maximum resell value.

 

[rod_vw]

I can confirm what @Alan Andrews says. I've had Vagcom (now called VCDS) for well over fifteen years and a few years ago upgraded to Hex-v2 version and again as Alan says sold the previous unlimited VIN version to off-set the cost of the upgrade.
The license is applicable to the dongle only and owners register this with Ross-tech to access lifetime support. The software (App) can be loaded on any modern windows machine, VCDS Release 23.11 works with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 (both 32-bit and 64-bit) updates are regularly made available via the internet totally FOC, there are also occasional upgrades for the dongle itself.

 

[sidepod]

A bit of an update on this -

I spoke with a Ross Tech agent yesterday regarding the VIN count.

I was aiming at the three VIN option assuming it would be a “any three nominated” type of thing.
I have three VW vehicles so was hoping, if I sold one/bought another then I’d be able to swap a VIN etc.

Not so. Once a VIN is registered it’s embedded till the end of time. The only way around this is to upgrade to the 10 VIN or unlimited.

There isn’t a huge £ delta between 3 and 10 so not the end of the world.

 

[rod_vw]

@sidepod that is exactly what I have always understood hence the reason that I have the unlimited version.

To other readers who may be local enough to me (Shropshire), I am always willing to scan a vehicle for you if I'm able. I'm no expert with VCDS but always willing to do what I can.

 

[PeteS]

If you purchase the 3 VIN version then you can upgrade later to the 10VIN version and then the Unlimited version for a fee for each upgrade.
I think there are some things you can do that don’t use up a VIN and the Ross Tech website explains this. I think scanning for fault codes does not count.

 

[18ME]

I've got the unlimited Hex-Net which is the one that you can use wirelessly with an ipad or phone but I can't seem to do much using the phone so have to plug the laptop in anyway. I'm pretty much a novice though so I could be something wrong, I'll have to ask the Ross Tech forums.

 

[sidepod]

I went three Vin with the upgrade in mind if required.

Next job, get my head around cambelt torsional value measurement/adjustment