ICDD no longer supports or licenses PDF‑2 Set 13. If you obtained it without a license, you may be in violation. the database files. For legal access, purchase the current PDF‑4+ or use free databases like COD (Crystallography Open Database).
In the world of materials science and X-ray diffraction (XRD), few tools are as revered as (also known as Power Diffraction File for Windows). This software acts as a digital library for the JCPDS-ICDD PDF (Powder Diffraction File) database , serving as the gold standard for identifying unknown crystalline materials. This article provides a definitive step-by-step roadmap for installing the PCPDFWIN software, specifically for version 13 (commonly referred to as the 2002 release, PDF2-2002), ensuring you can access the full power of JCPDS card data on your machine.
: The software will generally install and run natively without extensive modifications.
is a retired, 16/32-bit Windows application from the International Centre for Diffraction Data (ICDD) that provides a graphical interface to search the Powder Diffraction File (PDF-2) database. Set 13 refers to a specific release of the PDF-2 database (usually 1993–1995) containing ~50,000 inorganic and organic entries.
Before diving into the installation process, it is vital to understand exactly what you are installing. PCPDFWIN is merely the graphical interface; the true value lies in the . pcpdfwin jcpds software 13 install
Select the components you wish to install. Ensure and Database Index Drivers are checked.
Point the installer to the directory on your drive containing the database index files (typically containing .PDF or .IDX extensions). Step 5: Complete the Installation Click to begin copying files.
3. "Runtime Error / Component Not Registered" (e.g., MSCOMCTL.OCX)
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes. Ensure you hold a valid license from the ICDD for software use. ICDD no longer supports or licenses PDF‑2 Set 13
Enable folder sharing between your host PC and the guest virtual machine to easily move data files.
Check the box next to . Select Windows XP (Service Pack 3) from the drop-down menu. Check the box for Run this program as an administrator .
Before beginning the installation, ensure your system meets the necessary hardware and software benchmarks. Minimum Hardware Requirements
The keyword "pcpdfwin jcpds software 13" generally refers to PDF2-Release 13 (2002) . A critical limitation must be understood: PCPDFWIN 2.x cannot read databases released after 2002 . If you attempt to force it to read a 2004 or 2010 database, the data will be corrupted, or the search function will fail. Therefore, ensure you are using the correct 2002 (Release 13) database files. For legal access, purchase the current PDF‑4+ or
: PCPDFWIN is primarily designed for older Windows environments. Users often report that it runs best on Windows 7 (32-bit) . Modern 64-bit systems may require compatibility mode or a virtual machine.
You cannot run 16-bit binaries natively on 64-bit Windows. You must install the software inside a 32-bit virtual machine (using software like VMware Workstation Player or Oracle VirtualBox running a 32-bit Windows 7 instance) or use compatibility layers like WineVDM. Error: "Database not found" or "Cannot read PDF.DAT"
If the program opens with a "Database not found" error, navigate to the top menu bar and select Options > Preferences (or Set Paths ).