BMW Scanner 1.4.0 (PA Soft) is a diagnostic tool for older BMW models that can be installed on Windows 10 64-bit by utilizing 64-bit FTDI drivers. Successful installation requires enabling Windows 10 Test Mode, manual driver updates, and connecting the scanner to the car's OBDII port to eliminate "Hardware Faulty" errors. Detailed installation tutorials for Windows 10 are available on YouTube.
BMW scanner 1.4 installation tutorial for Windows 10. (PA Soft)
Getting BMW Scanner 1.4.0 (PA Soft) to work on Windows 10 is notoriously tricky because the original software was designed for Windows XP. To get it running, you must download the software and manually install specific 64-bit drivers. 1. Software Download
The standard installer for BMW Scanner 1.4.0 can be found through community-shared links on forums like M5Board or Bimmerforums. Ensure you download from a reputable community source, as the official developer (PA Soft) no longer supports this legacy version for modern operating systems. 2. Driver Setup (Crucial Step)
Windows 10 will often fail to recognize the scanner cable because the default drivers lack a valid digital signature.
Download Drivers: Use the D2XX Drivers from FTDI, which are compatible with 64-bit Windows 10.
Enable Test Mode: You must often disable Driver Signature Verification. To do this, open PowerShell as an Administrator and run:bcdedit /set testsigning onThen, restart your PC. Manual Installation: Plug in your scanner and open Device Manager. Find "BMW Scanner V14x" under "Other Devices".
To successfully install and run BMW Scanner 1.4 (PA Soft) on Windows 10, you must manage both the core software and specific 64-bit drivers, as the default drivers often fail on modern systems. 1. Download Required Files
Software: BMW Scanner 1.4.0 (often found on community forums or provided with the hardware).
Drivers: Official 64-bit D2XX drivers from FTDI Chip are highly recommended for Windows 10 compatibility. 2. Software Installation Locate your downloaded BMW Scanner v140 Install.exe. Right-click the file and select Run as Administrator. bmw scanner 1.4 0 software download windows 10
Follow the setup prompts and ensure "Create a Desktop Shortcut" is checked for easier access. Do not launch the program yet. 3. Driver Installation (Windows 10 64-bit Fix) Windows 10 typically requires manually forcing the drivers.
Extract the downloaded FTDI drivers into a dedicated folder.
Plug the BMW Scanner into your computer's USB port (do not connect to the car yet). Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button.
Find "BMW Scanner V14x" or "Unknown Device" under Other Devices.
Right-click it and select Update Driver > Browse my computer for driver software.
Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
Click Have Disk..., browse to your extracted driver folder, and select ftdibus.inf.
Choose USB Serial Converter A from the list and click Next. Ignore any security warnings to finish the installation. 4. Critical Configuration Steps
Test Mode: If drivers refuse to install, you may need to enable Test Mode. Run Command Prompt as admin and enter: bcdedit /set testsigning on, then restart your PC. BMW Scanner 1
Hardware Faulty Error: If you see this message, ensure the scanner is plugged into the car's OBD port with the ignition turned to position 1 or 2.
Compatibility: This scanner is primarily designed for older chassis like the E46, E39, E38, X3, X5, and Z4.
How to Download and Install BMW Scanner 1.4.0 on Windows 10 BMW Scanner 1.4.0 (also known as
) is a powerful diagnostic tool for older BMW models, including the E46, E39, E38, E53 (X5), and E83 (X3). While originally designed for older versions of Windows, you can successfully run it on Windows 10 and Windows 11 with the correct drivers and settings. Where to Download the Software
The software is typically provided by the merchant when you purchase the scanner hardware, but if you need a fresh copy or specific 64-bit drivers, community resources like Bimmerforums are the most reliable places to find updated driver packs. Official Driver Source: For the USB-to-Serial connection, download the latest D2XX Drivers from FTDI Hardware Packages:
Complete kits including the software and cable are available at BMW PASOFT or through retailers like Step-by-Step Installation for Windows 10
The most common hurdle is getting the 64-bit operating system to recognize the older 32-bit hardware drivers. Install the Software: BMWScan140.exe
setup file. Follow the prompts to install it and create a desktop shortcut. Enable Test Mode (Optional but Recommended):
Some drivers are unsigned. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as an Administrator and enter: bcdedit /set testsigning on Restart your computer to apply this. Connect the Hardware: Part 6: Common Windows 10 Errors & Fixes
Plug the scanner into your computer's USB port. It will likely show up as an "Unknown Device" in the Device Manager. Update Drivers Manually: Device Manager
Right-click the "BMW Scanner" or "USB Serial" device and select Update Driver Browse my computer for drivers and navigate to your downloaded 64-bit driver folder. If a security warning appears, select Install this driver software anyway Configure the COM Port: Ensure the device is set to Latency Timer of 1 in the Advanced Port Settings for optimal stability. Key Features of BMW Scanner 1.4.0
| Error Message | Cause | Solution | |---|---|---| | "The program requires at least Windows 98" | Compatibility mode not set | Set .exe to WinXP SP3 mode | | "Driver could not be installed (Code 52)" | Signature enforcement active | Reboot and disable driver signing | | "No hardware found" | Wrong COM port | Force to COM1 in Device Manager | | "Module not responding" | Poor connection or low battery | Charge car battery; clean diagnostic port | | "MSCOMCTL.OCX missing" | Missing VB6 runtime | Download and register MSCOMCTL.OCX manually |
If you find the BMW Scanner 1.4.0 software too finicky on Windows 10, consider switching to INPA / ISTA (Rheingold) or Carly for BMW (mobile app). They lack some of the deep GM coding features of PA Soft but run natively on Windows 10/11 with modern USB cables.
Note: This software cannot code newer BMWs (E90, F30, etc.) — those need INPA, ISTA, or Carly.
Would you like a direct link to a known-good driver pack or forum thread for your specific BMW model?
This report covers what the software is, its compatibility issues with Windows 10, risks, and legitimate alternatives.
Because BMW Scanner 1.4 is legacy software (abandoned by the original developer years ago), there is no official website. You will not find it on the Microsoft Store.
To download the software, your best resource is dedicated BMW forums (like Bimmerfest, E46Fanatics, or Bimmerforums). Users there often host the files on Google Drive or Mediafire.
What to look for:
.reg file or a replacement .exe to bypass the hardware dongle check.FTDI Drivers subfolder (or download fresh from FTDI chip website)CDM21228_Setup.exe (or latest version)