Want to try the latest version of Siemens’ engineering software before buying a licence? The TIA Portal V21 trial lets you program SIMATIC PLCs, design HMI screens and simulate your projects at no cost for a limited period. In this guide we explain where to download it, what your PC needs and how to get through the first installation steps without losing trial days.
TIA Portal (Totally Integrated Automation Portal) is Siemens’ single engineering environment for controllers, HMIs, drives and safety. Version 21 was announced at the end of 2025 and keeps the same unified workflow, so anyone coming from V19 or V20 will feel at home. If you follow Siemens news on our site, you can find the latest product updates in our Siemens section.
What the TIA Portal V21 trial includes
The trial is not a cut-down demo: it is the full engineering software running on a time-limited trial licence. It typically covers:
- STEP 7 Basic / Professional – programming of S7-1200, S7-1500 and other SIMATIC controllers
- WinCC Basic / Advanced / Professional – HMI and visualisation engineering
- S7-PLCSIM – PLC simulation, so you can test code without hardware
- STEP 7 Safety and Startdrive – fail-safe programming and drive commissioning
The trial licence lasts 21 days and the countdown starts when the installation finishes, not when you first open the software. Reinstalling does not reset it, so plan your evaluation before you install. For long-term learning, Siemens offers alternatives such as the SCE programme for schools and universities.
TIA Portal V21 system requirements
Before downloading several gigabytes, check that your PC meets the official TIA Portal V21 requirements:
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3-6100U, 2.30 GHz | Intel Core i5-12600HE or comparable |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB (32 GB for large projects) |
| Storage | 20 GB free on SATA drive | 50 GB free on SSD |
| Display | 1024 × 768 | 15.6″ Full HD (1920 × 1080) |
| Network | 100 Mbit | 1 Gbit (for multiuser engineering) |
Supported operating systems (64-bit): Windows 11 Home (Basic editions only), Pro and Enterprise 24H2, Enterprise 23H2 and 24H2 LTSC; Windows 10 Enterprise 21H2 / 2021 LTSC; Windows Server 2022 and 2025 Standard. Install all Windows security updates first.
Note that standard Windows 10 Pro is not on the supported list for V21.
How to download the TIA Portal V21 trial
- Create a free Siemens account. Register on the Siemens Industry Online Support portal (SiePortal) with a valid business email address.
- Open the official trial entry. Go to the Siemens download page TRIAL software for TIA Portal up to V21. Only download from Siemens: unofficial mirrors may contain modified or unsafe files.
- Choose your packages. Select STEP 7 Professional / WinCC and, if you need simulation, S7-PLCSIM. Download them in the language you will use.
- Complete the export control check. Some packages, such as PLCSIM, require an export control approval. It can take a few days, so request it early.
- Download everything before installing. Because the 21-day clock starts at installation, wait until all the packages you need (including PLCSIM) are on your disk.
First installation steps
- Prepare Windows. Install all pending Windows updates, restart, and close other programs. Temporarily pausing the antivirus scan of the setup folder can speed things up.
- Extract the setup files. The download comes as self-extracting packages. Run the first file and extract them to a local folder with a short path, for example
C:\TIA_V21. - Run Start.exe as administrator. Choose the setup language and the product languages you need.
- Select the products. Pick a typical installation or a custom one with only STEP 7, WinCC and PLCSIM to save disk space. Keep the default installation path unless you have a reason to change it.
- Accept the licence terms and security settings. The installer adds your user to the “Siemens TIA Engineer” group; accept it so you can work without admin rights later.
- Install the trial licence. When asked, let the Automation License Manager activate the trial licence. If no licence is found, it can also be activated the first time you open TIA Portal.
- Restart the PC. Installation can take from 30 minutes to over an hour depending on your hardware. Reboot when it finishes.
Your first steps in TIA Portal V21
Once installed, open TIA Portal from the desktop shortcut. The Portal view guides you through the basics:
- Click Create new project, give it a name and a location.
- Go to Devices & networks › Add new device and pick your CPU (for example an S7-1200 or S7-1500).
- Open Program blocks › Main [OB1] and write a simple test network in LAD or SCL.
- Compile the project and start S7-PLCSIM to download and test it in simulation.
Tips to get the most out of your trial:
- Plan a list of features to test before you install, as the 21 days run continuously.
- Install the trial on a dedicated PC or virtual machine to keep your production system clean.
- Check the release notes for supported firmware versions of your CPUs and HMIs.
- Save your projects regularly: you will be able to open them later with a licensed V21 installation.
Conclusion
The TIA Portal V21 trial is the easiest way to evaluate Siemens’ latest engineering platform: register, download every package you need, check your PC and only then install, so the 21-day licence works for you. For more industrial automation news and product launches, visit our news section.
Still working with the previous version? See how to download the TIA Portal V20 trial. To choose the right PC, read our guide to TIA Portal system requirements (V18–V21).