How to Install Bosch Rexroth DriveTop Software in 8 Easy Steps

Wake Industrial is sharing information sourced from the original manufacturer's manual. Please be advised that Wake Industrial does not offer troubleshooting assistance through phone or email. For repair, replacement, or refurbishment needs, we invite you to use our quote form or call us at 1-919-443-0207. It is the user's responsibility to exercise independent judgment and caution when implementing these instructions. Wake Industrial shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages to products or individuals resulting from the use of this information.

Installing Bosch Rexroth DriveTop software is essential for anyone commissioning or maintaining Bosch Rexroth (formerly Indramat) servo drives. DriveTop is a Windows-based application used for configuring drive parameters, tuning, and diagnostics on Rexroth’s Indramat DKC series drives. First introduced in 1992 by Indramat, DriveTop originally ran on Windows 3.1, but Bosch Rexroth has updated it over the years to support modern PCs (it even runs on Windows 10 now). In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to download and install DriveTop step by step, in a conversational tone, with tips for engineers, plant owners, and business owners alike.Whether you’re an engineer setting up a servo system or a plant manager replacing a drive, these instructions will help you get DriveTop up and running.

And for any assistance with Bosch Rexroth products such as DKC, DKS, or other drives contact Wake Industrial. Wake Industrial provides comprehensive support for legacy Bosch Rexroth products. Speak with a sales representative immediately by calling 1-919-443-0207. (Wake Industrial is an independent supplier – not an authorized Bosch Rexroth distributor)

Overview: What is Bosch Rexroth DriveTop?

DriveTop is Bosch Rexroth’s recommended PC-based commissioning software for the Indramat DKC drive controllers. It provides a user-friendly graphical interface to configure drive parameters, perform drive tuning, and read fault diagnostics. Essentially, DriveTop allows you to connect a Windows PC to a Bosch Rexroth servo drive (via a serial RS-232 link) and manage the drive’s settings and operation from the computer. This tool revolutionized DKC drive setup in the 90s with its ease of use and has remained the standard utility for these drives.

One important consideration is choosing the correct version of DriveTop for your hardware. Bosch Rexroth has released multiple DriveTop versions to support different drive generations. For example, the DKC01.1-030-3-FW, an early Type 1 Indramat DKC drive (first-generation models) are fully supported by DriveTop versions 1–4, whereas newer Type 3 DKC drives, such as the DKC03.3-040-7-FW  require DriveTop versions 5–16. Using an incompatible version might connect to the drive but fail to display data or allow changes. In practice, the latest available DriveTop (Version 16) is backward compatible with most drives, but if you have very old Type 1 units, you may need an older DriveTop release for full functionality. Now, with that background in mind, let's move on to preparation and installation. For any issues related to DKC hardware get in touch with Wake Industrial. Wake Industrial specializes in DKC repairs, refurbishment,t and replacements. Fill out the quote form on the page or email sales@wakeindustrial.com to learn how Wake Industrial can solve your automation needs.

Pre-Installation Checklist

Before installing DriveTop, make sure you have the following prerequisites ready:

With these items in place, you’re ready to install the software. Now let's go through the process step by step.

Installing Bosch Rexroth DriveTop Software

Follow the steps below to download and install the DriveTop software on your PC.

1. Download the DriveTop Software from Bosch Rexroth: Always obtain the DriveTop installer from the official Bosch Rexroth website to ensure you have a safe, authentic copy. Bosch Rexroth provides direct download links for different DriveTop versions DriveTop 01VRS, 04VRS, 16VRS. Visit the Bosch Rexroth Downloads or Software Tools section and search for “DriveTop.” Select the version appropriate for your needs (if in doubt, downloading the latest DriveTop 16VRS is a good starting point, as it supports most modern use cases). The download typically comes as a ZIP file (around 3–50 MB depending on version) which contains the installation program. Save this file to an easy-to-find location on your PC (like the Desktop or Downloads folder).
    
2. Run the DriveTop Installer: Once the download is complete, locate the ZIP file and extract its contents. Inside, you should find either a setup executable (e.g. Setup.exe or Install.exe) or a similar installer file. Double-click the installer to run it. If Windows prompts for permission (User Account Control), allow it to proceed. The DriveTop installation wizard will launch – follow the on-screen instructions. Usually, this involves accepting the license agreement, choosing an install directory (the default is fine), and clicking Next through the prompts. The installer will copy the necessary files to your system. In older versions, installation was done from floppy disks via a DOS prompt (A:\SETUP in Windows 3.1/95), but modern versions simply use a standard Windows installer. After a successful installation, click Finish.
    
3. Locate the DriveTop Program: After installing, you should find the DriveTop software in your Start menu. On many systems, the installer creates a Start menu group called “Indramat” or “Bosch Rexroth,” under which you’ll see the DriveTop icon. You might also get a desktop shortcut. It’s a good idea to verify the installation by confirming the DriveTop icon exists. (For example, in Windows 10, you can click the Start button and scroll through the program list or use the search function to find "DriveTop".) If you do not see it, try rebooting your PC and then check again.
    
4. Connect the Serial Cable to Your Drive: Before launching DriveTop for the first time, connect your PC to the target drive using the RS-232 cable. Ensure the drive is powered in the appropriate state for communication. In many cases, you can connect the serial cable with the drive powered on in standby or with only control power applied (consult your drive manual for any specific communication mode). Attach one end of the cable to your PC’s serial port (or USB-to-Serial adapter) and the other end to the drive’s serial communication port (often labeled X6 or RS-232 on Indramat DKC drives). Use the correct cable type: for instance, use the IKS0101 cable for a Type 1 DKC01.1 drive, or the IKB005 cable for a Type 3 DKC03.3 drive. These cables ensure the proper wiring for communication. If you don’t have the official cable, make sure your cable is a null-modem (crossover) serial cable and matches the pinout required by the drive. A wrong cable or adapter is a common reason for connection failure, so double-check this step.
    
5. Launch DriveTop: Now you’re ready to start the DriveTop software. Double-click the DriveTop icon on your desktop or launch it from the Start menu (under the Indramat/Bosch Rexroth group). The program should open in a window. If this is the first time running DriveTop on a modern OS, you might consider running it in Compatibility Mode (e.g., Windows XP compatibility) if you encounter any issues, since the software was created in an older era. However, in most cases it will run on Windows 10 without special tweaks, thanks to Bosch’s updates.
    
6. Save Drive Parameters: Once connected, one of the first things you might want to do is back up the drive’s parameter set. DriveTop allows you to save the drive’s configuration to a file on your PC. To do this, go to the menu and select File -> Save (or a similarly named option to save parameters). You’ll be prompted to choose a location to save the drive’s parameter file. This step is highly recommended if you are working with an existing drive and plan to replace it or adjust settings – it gives you a restore point for the drive’s configuration. The saved file can later be reloaded into a drive if needed.
    
7. Load Parameters to a New Drive (If Replacing a Drive): If your goal for installing DriveTop is to replace a faulty drive and transfer parameters to a new one, DriveTop makes this straightforward. After saving the old drive’s parameters (step 6), you would disconnect the old drive and connect the new replacement drive to your PC (using the same cable). It’s good practice to reset the new drive to factory defaults first. In DriveTop, you can often do this by loading “Default Parameters” or using a menu option to reset – refer to the DriveTop manual for specifics. Bosch Rexroth suggests loading default parameters on the new drive first, then overwriting them with your saved file. Once the new drive is connected and powered, go to File -> Open (or a similar import function) in DriveTop and load the parameter file you saved earlier. The software will download the saved parameters into the new drive. Make sure the download completes without errors. For certain drive types (especially SERCOS interface drives), you might need the drive in a specific mode (e.g. Phase 0 for SERCOS drives) to allow parameter downloading – this typically involves shutting off the drive’s control power and turning it back on in a service mode. Consult your drive’s manual if you suspect this is needed. After loading parameters, you can power-cycle the drive and verify it operates with the new settings.
    
8. Finalize and Test: Close the DriveTop program and disconnect your PC from the drive. Now, test the drive in your system. If you replaced a drive and loaded parameters, the new drive should behave similarly to the old one. If you only installed DriveTop for diagnostic or tuning purposes, you can now use it to adjust drive parameters as needed and monitor the drive’s status in real-time. Congratulations – you have successfully installed DriveTop and connected to your Bosch Rexroth drive!

Additional Tips and Troubleshooting

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

In summary, installing Bosch Rexroth’s DriveTop software is a straightforward process: download the official installer, run through the setup on a Windows PC, and connect to your drive with the proper cable. If during your installation or maintenance you find that a drive or component needs replacement or repair, you’ll need a reliable source for Bosch Rexroth parts.

Wake Industrial is the place to buy and repair Bosch Rexroth drives, motors, and other industrial automation components. They offer refurbished and surplus units, as well  as repair services for legacy drives. Do note, however, that Wake Industrial is not an authorized distributor or representative of Bosch Rexroth. They do not provide official technical support for DriveTop software. Wake Industrial focuses on the hardware – supplying new and legacy equipment and performing repairs. If you need a hard-to-find drive or a quick turnaround on a repair, Wake Industrial has your back. To speak with a Wake Industrial representative call 1-919-443-0207 or email sales@wakeindustrial.com.

 Wake Industrial is sharing information sourced from the original manufacturer's manual. Please be advised that Wake Industrial does not offer troubleshooting assistance through phone or email. For repair, replacement, or refurbishment needs, we invite you to use our quote form or call us at 1-919-443-0207. It is the user's responsibility to exercise independent judgment and caution when implementing these instructions. Wake Industrial shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages to products or individuals resulting from the use of this information.