These instructions are written for a Windows 10/11 computer.

1. Install Visual Studio 2026
If you already use Visual Studio 2022, make sure it's at least 17.6.14.
To check the installed version:
    • Open Visual Studio and go to Help → About Microsoft Visual Studio.
    • Check that the version is at least 17.6.14. If needed, update it using Visual Studio Installer.
Open Visual Studio Installer → Modify and install:
    • Desktop development with C++
    • MSBuild support for LLVM / clang-cl, if available

2. Download TwinCAT Package Manager
Create or use a myBeckhoff account and download TwinCAT Package Manager - Build 4026 from the Beckhoff Download Finder.
If you are using Visual Studio 2026, install Build 4026.21.2 or newer.
Run the installer as Administrator and restart Windows if requested.

3. Open TwinCAT Package Manager
During the initial setup, sign in with your myBeckhoff account and use the Stable package feed.
Select your installed Visual Studio for TwinCAT integration.

4. In TwinCAT Package Manager, open Workloads and install: TwinCAT.Standard.XAE.
This is required for working with a physical PLC.

5. To execute PLC programs directly on your laptop, install: TwinCAT.Standard.XAR.
The local Runtime allows the computer itself to act as a TwinCAT controller.

6. For HMI development, install: TE2000.HMIEngineering.XAE.
This adds TwinCAT HMI Engineering to Visual Studio.

7. After selecting the required workloads, review the selected package versions and make sure they belong to the TwinCAT 3.1 Build 4026 family.
Click Apply Changes and allow Beckhoff drivers and extensions to install. Restart Windows.

8. To verify the TwinCAT installation, open Visual Studio and go to: File → New → Project.
Search for TwinCAT (you should see TwinCAT project templates).