GX Works3 is Mitsubishi Electric's current IDE for MELSEC iQ-R and iQ-F series PLCs. GX Works2 programs the legacy Q and FX series. This guide covers the full MELSOFT software family, 30-day trial access, GX Simulator3, system requirements, Mitsubishi addressing conventions, and how to practice IEC 61131-3 ladder logic free in your browser.
Mitsubishi Electric's programming tools have evolved through GX Developer (legacy, deprecated), GX Works2 (current for Q/FX series), and GX Works3 (current for iQ-R/iQ-F series). Your hardware determines which version you need.
The MELSEC PLC model GX Works programs: a CPU running your logic against X input and Y output modules — emulated on a PC by GX Simulator3.GX Works3 Structured Project mode follows IEC 61131-3 — the same five standard languages, so the core skills transfer in and out of Mitsubishi.
Mitsubishi PLCs use a device-letter addressing scheme. Each device type has a letter prefix followed by a decimal or octal number. Understanding this is essential before writing your first GX Works rung.
Mitsubishi device addressing: X inputs, Y outputs, M internals, T timers, C counters, D data registers — compared to Allen-Bradley file equivalents.
Requirements
System requirements for GX Works3
Operating systemWindows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11 — no macOS, no Linux natively
RAM4 GB minimum; 8 GB recommended
Disk spaceApproximately 3–4 GB for GX Works3
SimulatorGX Simulator3 included in GX Works3 package — runs on same Windows PC
CommunicationUSB (direct to CPU), Ethernet (built-in on iQ-R/iQ-F), or CC-Link IE Field network
macOS / LinuxRequires Windows VM — Mitsubishi does not support native macOS/Linux installs
Download steps
How to download GX Works3 trial
1
Register on Mitsubishi FA Global Website
Go to the Mitsubishi Electric FA Global Website (mitsubishielectric.com/fa) and register for a free account. Different regional portals exist — select your country. Mitsubishi requires registration to access trial downloads.
2
Navigate to MELSOFT Download Center
Within the FA portal, navigate to "Software" → "MELSOFT" → "GX Works3". Select the current version. Alternatively, contact your local Mitsubishi Electric FA distributor — they can supply trial licenses directly and often provide better technical support during the trial.
3
Request the 30-day trial license
The GX Works3 trial is a 30-day license key. Request it through the portal or your distributor. The download is an ISO or executable package, typically 1–2 GB.
4
Install as Administrator
Run the installer as Administrator. GX Works3 installs the IDE, GX Simulator3, and the MELSOFT Navigator launcher. Accept the default paths. Installation takes approximately 15–30 minutes.
5
Activate the trial license
When you first launch GX Works3, it will prompt for a license key. Enter the 30-day trial key from your request. After 30 days the software reverts to a viewer-only mode until you purchase a license.
Transferable logic
The GX Works ladder concepts that transfer directly
Mitsubishi's X/Y/M/T/C/D addressing is notation. The logic underneath — contacts and coils, the scan cycle, timers, and counters — is the same standard PLC craft you can drill in a browser today, then re-label with Mitsubishi device addresses inside GX Works.
A ladder rung as drawn in GX Works — contacts on X devices driving a Y output coil.The MELSEC scan cycle GX Simulator3 reproduces: read X inputs → solve ladder → write Y outputs.A Mitsubishi T-device on-delay timer — the same on-delay behaviour as a standard IEC TON.A Mitsubishi C-device counter — counts input pulses and trips at its preset, just like an IEC CTU.
Practice now
Practice IEC 61131-3 ladder logic in your browser while you wait for GX Works
GX Works3's iQ-R series uses IEC 61131-3 Structured Project mode, which means the core ladder logic concepts — NO/NC contacts, coils, TON/TOF timers, CTU/CTD counters — are identical to our browser simulator. The Mitsubishi-specific X/Y/M/T/C/D addressing is a notation difference, not a logic difference. Build your ladder fluency first; transfer the addressing notation when you have the software.
No 30-day clock, no Windows VM — write ladder logic in the browser while the GX Works trial downloads.
GX Works3 is not free. It is a paid commercial product. Mitsubishi Electric offers a 30-day trial that you can request through the MELSOFT Download Center or your local Mitsubishi FA distributor. Academic institutions can apply for educational licensing. There is no permanently free version of GX Works3 or GX Works2.
GX Works2 programs the MELSEC Q series, L series, FX series, and older iQ-R hardware using an older project structure. GX Works3 programs the current MELSEC iQ-R series (high-end), iQ-F series (FX5U compact range), and some Q series hardware using a modern tag-based project structure similar to IEC 61131-3. For new projects on iQ-R or iQ-F hardware, use GX Works3. For legacy Q series, FX3 series, or inherited projects, you likely need GX Works2.
Yes. GX Works3 includes the GX Simulator3 (also called MELSOFT Simulator3), which simulates iQ-R and iQ-F series CPUs on your Windows PC without hardware. This is analogous to Siemens PLCSIM or Rockwell Emulate 5000. The simulator requires the same GX Works3 license — it is included in the package, not a separate purchase.
MELSOFT is Mitsubishi Electric's brand name for its factory automation software suite. It includes GX Works3 (PLC programming), GX Works2 (legacy PLC programming), GT Works3 (HMI/GOT programming), MR Configurator2 (servo drive configuration), FR Configurator2 (inverter configuration), and several other tools. When people say "download MELSOFT", they typically mean downloading GX Works3 or GX Works2 via the MELSOFT Download Center portal.
No. GX Works2 and GX Works3 are Windows-only software. They do not run natively on macOS or Linux. Users on those platforms typically run Windows in a virtual machine (Parallels, VMware, VirtualBox). If you want to practice IEC 61131-3 ladder logic on macOS, Linux, or Chromebook without a VM, a browser-based IEC simulator is the practical alternative — Mitsubishi's iQ-R series uses IEC 61131-3 structured programming natively, so the core concepts transfer.
Mitsubishi uses a device-based addressing scheme. Digital inputs use X addresses (X000, X001...), digital outputs use Y addresses (Y000, Y001...), internal relays use M addresses (M0, M1...), timers use T addresses (T0, T1...), counters use C addresses (C0, C1...), and data registers use D addresses (D0, D1...). This is distinct from Allen-Bradley's file-based addressing (I:0/0, O:0/0, N7:0) and Siemens's operand addressing (%I0.0, %Q0.0, %MW0). The programming logic — contacts, coils, timers, counters — is the same; only the addressing notation differs.
We strongly recommend downloading GX Works only from the official Mitsubishi Electric FA website or an authorized Mitsubishi distributor. Third-party "full version" or Google Drive download links that circulate for GX Works2 and GX Works3 are not licensed distributions — they can carry tampered installers or malware, and using them is not a legitimate license. The official 30-day trial or distributor licensing is the safe, lawful path. If you simply want to practice ladder logic immediately without any download, use a browser-based IEC 61131-3 simulator.
GX Developer is Mitsubishi's older (pre-GX Works) programming tool for legacy A, QnA, and Q series PLCs. It is discontinued for new projects and Mitsubishi has moved support to GX Works2 and GX Works3. It is not offered as a free product through the current MELSOFT Download Center; you may still encounter it bundled in older maintenance environments. For new learning, start on GX Works3 (or GX Works2 for legacy Q/FX hardware) — and practice the underlying ladder logic free in the browser while you arrange access.
IEC 61131-3 ladder logic — free in your browser while you wait for GX Works.
Core ladder logic transfers directly. No 30-day clock. No Windows required.
GX Works3 download and Mitsubishi PLC software guide: transfer checklist
Direct answer
The reader can identify the controller, engineering-tool generation, version and license route before downloading, then prepare a small target-relevant practice case.
Written for mitsubishi PLC learners and technicians matching GX Works3, GX Works2 or legacy tools to a controller family and legitimate software route.
System map / 02
NODE 01observable
01
Platform context
The exact MELSEC controller family, project type, software generation, operating system and license owner.
NODE 02observable
02
Tags and addressing
Official download, trial or entitlement route to supported devices, version, project format and activation.
NODE 03observable
03
Reference pattern
One X, Y, M, D, timer and counter example understood before target connection.
NODE 04observable
04
Timing and limits
32-bit or 64-bit environment, version conversion, drivers, firmware, project backup and corporate policy.
NODE 05observable
05
Diagnostics
A download, install, activation, project, driver or controller-compatibility mismatch.
NODE 06observable
06
Official-tool transfer
The example compiled, monitored and accepted in the current official Mitsubishi environment.
