Siemens Tia Portal V13 Sp1 Update 4 Better 2021 ((exclusive)) 💯 Fully Tested

I notice you're asking about Siemens TIA Portal v13 SP1 Update 4 in relation to "better 2021."

To be clear: TIA Portal v13 SP1 Update 4 was released around 2015–2016, not 2021. It is not compatible with Windows 10/11 versions released after ~2017 without workarounds, and it cannot directly open projects from TIA Portal v14 or later.

If you're trying to decide between v13 SP1 Update 4 and a 2021-era version, the 2021 versions would be TIA Portal v16 (2020) or v17 (2021) — which are far better for modern hardware, security, and features. siemens tia portal v13 sp1 update 4 better 2021

However, if you specifically need v13 SP1 Update 4 (e.g., to support old hardware like S7-1200 v4.0 or WinCC Comfort panels), here’s a practical guide:

When staying on V13 SP1 Update 4 makes sense

• Regulatory/validation constraints: Your project is certified/validated using V13 SP1 and validating a new TIA version is too costly or risky.
• Legacy hardware compatibility: Plant assets require device support unique to V13-era toolchains.
• Minimal change risk: You need the absolute lowest disruption and rely on proven behavior; Update 4 addresses stability without introducing major functional changes.
• Short-term planning: If you plan to migrate within months and only need a stable interim state.

7. Migration Advice: Should You Move From V13 SP1 Update 4 to a Newer Version?

If you are reading this in 2021 (or later), ask yourself these questions: I notice you're asking about Siemens TIA Portal

• Am I adding new Siemens hardware (e.g., S7-1500F V2.9 or newer)? → Migrate to V15.1 or V17.
• Is my plant air-gapped and stable? → Stay on Update 4.
• Do I need OPC UA or MQTT? → Migrate (V13 has limited OPC UA).
• Is security audit requiring TLS 1.2? → Migrate.

So when is V13 SP1 U4 actually "better"?

Only in very specific legacy scenarios:

1. You have a machine with S7-1500 firmware V2.0 or S7-1200 V4.1 and no ability to upgrade the PLC.
2. Your customer explicitly requires V13 for global consistency across 50+ old machines.
3. You are maintaining a 5+ year old plant with no budget or time for migration.
4. You have an old Windows 7 engineering laptop that must stay untouched.

Outside these cases – never.

3. The "Better" Argument: Why it was still used

If an engineer argued that V13 SP1 Update 4 was "better" in 2021, it was likely for the following specific reasons: