Hyundai / Kia / Genesis GDS Install on a New Laptop
Installing GDS on a new laptop requires Windows 11 Pro and your Hyundai / Kia / Genesis account credentials. Moving from an old laptop needs a subscription transfer, and tablet-based GDS adds a remote-support setup step.
Installing Hyundai, Kia, or Genesis GDS on a new laptop is an Installation & Setup task that comes down to three things: the laptop must be on Windows 11 Pro, you need valid Hyundai / Kia / Genesis account credentials, and - if you're moving from an old laptop - the subscription has to be transferred to the new machine. This guide covers a clean install, connecting the GDS-VCI, transferring the subscription, and the extra remote-support step for tablet-based GDS. If GDS is already installed and the problem is that an update or data refresh won't run, see the GDS software and data update article instead.
Step 1 - Confirm the laptop is on Windows 11 Pro
GDS requires Windows 11 Pro. On Windows 11 Home, GDS will install but the diagnostic packages won't populate - you'll get an empty vehicle-make list. This is the single most common GDS install problem.
1. Go to Settings → System → About.
2. Confirm the edition reads Windows 11 Pro.
3. If it reads Home, move to Pro (an in-place upgrade to Pro, or a replacement laptop) before installing GDS. AE Tools can check upgrade eligibility.
Step 2 - Confirm the subscription and account access
- An active Hyundai / Kia / Genesis subscription assigned to this laptop or tool.
- Valid Hyundai / Kia / Genesis account credentials for the install.
- Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis each require their own software subscription - confirm the one(s) you need are active.
Step 3 - Install GDS
1. Download the GDS installer through your Hyundai / Kia / Genesis account.
2. Right-click the installer and Run as administrator.
3. Provide your account credentials when prompted during the install.
4. Let the install complete fully before opening the program.
Step 4 - Confirm the diagnostic packages populate
1. Open GDS.
2. Confirm the vehicle makes appear in the manufacturer list.
3. If the list is empty, recheck Windows 11 Pro (Step 1) - that's almost always the cause.
4. Test on a known-good Hyundai / Kia / Genesis vehicle.
Step 5 - Connect the GDS-VCI
1. Plug the GDS-VCI (or a compatible J2534 device) into the laptop.
2. Confirm the VCI is recognized in GDS.
3. Verify communication with a vehicle.
Step 6 - Transfer the subscription when moving from an old laptop
If you're moving GDS from one laptop to another:
1. Call AE Tools.
2. Provide both the new PC serial and the old PC serial.
3. AE Tools submits the transfer to Hyundai / Kia.
4. For a new subscription, the activation code comes from the GA team and takes about 2–3 weeks to be issued - GDS won't fully activate until that code is in. If it's been longer than 3 weeks and the subscription still isn't active, escalate to the AE Tools production team to follow up on the activation code.
Step 7 - Tablet-based GDS: set up ScreenConnect for remote support
For Android tablet GDS deployments, AE Tools provides remote support through ScreenConnect, which needs specific permissions to work:
1. Install ScreenConnect on the tablet from the Google Play Store.
2. When prompted, enable both the Accessibility permission and the Remote Management permission.
3. Without both permissions, AE Tools support cannot drive the tablet remotely.
4. If ScreenConnect can't connect, install TeamViewer as a fallback.
5. AE Tools provides a session code for the remote session.
Troubleshooting: GDS install issues
"GDS installed but the vehicle list is empty." This is almost always Windows 11 Home instead of Pro — confirm the edition and upgrade if needed (Step 1).
"The tablet won't accept ScreenConnect commands." The Accessibility and Remote Management permissions weren't enabled - open ScreenConnect's settings on the tablet and turn both on.
Related articles
- What tools can do Hyundai and Kia programming and diagnostics - https://knowledgebase.aetools.us/do-i-have-the-tools-that-can-do-hyundai/kia
- Which diagnostic software now requires Windows 11? - https://knowledgebase.aetools.us/software-that-currently-require-windows-11
- How do I upgrade my AE Tools laptop from Windows 10 to Windows 11? - https://knowledgebase.aetools.us/upgrade-laptop-to-windows-11