Released on April 3, 2014, Keil MDK-ARM version 4.74 serves as a stable, legacy development environment centered around the µVision V4.74.0.22 IDE. It is frequently utilized in academic settings for its robust simulation capabilities of older ARM architectures. Core Components & Toolchain
MDK-ARM 4.74 integrates the following default toolchain components: C Compiler: Armcc.Exe V5.03.0.76. Assembler: Armasm.Exe V5.03.0.76. Linker/Locator: ArmLink.Exe V5.03.0.76.
Middleware: Includes library version 4.74 with a corrected FTP server interface and updated FlashFS for FAT file name processing. Key Features and Updates
This version introduced several critical updates to device support and debugging:
CMSIS 4.0 Support: Includes CMSIS-CORE 3.30, CMSIS-DSP 1.4.2, CMSIS-RTOS-API 1.02, and CMSIS-SVD 1.1. mdk-arm version 4.74
Enhanced Debugging: Updated Segger J-Link driver to version 4.76d and ST-Link USB-JTAG driver to version 2.0.5.0.
Device Simulation: Added a -MULS parameter for the Cortex-M0 simulator to configure the multiplier implementation as "Small" (32-cycle iterative).
New Device Support: Added support for various Atmel SAMG and SAM4 families, as well as NXP MCB1500 starter kit examples. Legacy Status and Access
MDK v4 is considered a legacy product. While the current standard is MDK v5 (or v6), version 4.74 remains accessible for maintaining existing projects: Released on April 3, 2014 , Keil MDK-ARM version 4
Legacy Pack: To use MDK v4 projects in newer MDK v5 environments, the MDK Version 4 Legacy Pack must be installed to maintain device support and middleware compatibility.
Downloads: Registered users can download older versions, including mdk474.exe, from the Keil Product Download page.
Since Windows 10/11 drops 32-bit driver support for new installations starting in 2025 (rumored), legacy ULINK may stop working. Alternatives:
Many legacy ARM7 (e.g., NXP LPC23xx, Atmel AT91SAM7) and classic Cortex-M3 (e.g., STM32F1x, TI LM3S series) devices have been superseded. Newer MDK versions have dropped support for these chips from their default databases. MDK 4.74 includes direct support for hundreds of now-obsolete devices without needing to hunt down legacy pack files. Since Windows 10/11 drops 32-bit driver support for
MDK-ARM 4.74 was a widely used, stable release in the µVision 4 IDE series. It combined the ARMCC compiler (RVCT 4.1 based), µVision IDE, debugger, and middleware (RTX, TCP/IP, USB, File System).
Key components:
MDK 4.74 utilizes the ARM Compiler 5 (specifically version 5.06 update 1 in this release). This is a critical distinction, as later versions of MDK moved toward the LLVM-based ARM Compiler 6.
MDK-ARM stands for Microcontroller Development Kit - ARM. Version 4.74 is a specific point release from the Keil v4 series, launched around 2012-2013. It is an integrated development environment (IDE) built around the µVision IDE (version 4.x) and includes:
Unlike the modern MDK 5.x, which uses a software pack system distributed online, MDK 4.74 was monolithic. All device support, example projects, and middleware were installed locally in a fixed directory structure.
Cause: Windows UAC blocking write permission.
Fix: Run µVision as administrator. Or reinstall MDK 4.74 to C:\Keil_v474 and grant Modify permission for Users group.