a method for generating operating software on a control device for a motor vehicle by executing control software in a production line end computer or in the control device , has the following steps : a ) executing a diagnosis function in the motor vehicle , with which the configuration of the motor vehicle can be established so that the functions to be performed by the control device are clearly defined , b ) selecting only from among the necessary software components from an external data source , so that the configuration of the motor vehicle can be mapped with the operating software on the control device , and c ) generating the component - individual operating software on the control device by inclusion of the selected software components .