diff --git a/docs/changes/newsfragments/7986.improved b/docs/changes/newsfragments/7986.improved
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..58406da77da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/changes/newsfragments/7986.improved
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+The Minicircuits USB SPDT driver now has a ``minicircuits_usb_spdt`` optional dependency target,
+allowing installation via ``pip install qcodes[minicircuits_usb_spdt]``. At the moment this is only
+supported on Windows since the vendor only ships a driver for Windows.
diff --git a/docs/examples/driver_examples/Qcodes example with Minicircuits Switch boxes (USB-XSPDT).ipynb b/docs/examples/driver_examples/Qcodes example with Minicircuits Switch boxes (USB-XSPDT).ipynb
index 98134fb1325..75699651052 100644
--- a/docs/examples/driver_examples/Qcodes example with Minicircuits Switch boxes (USB-XSPDT).ipynb	
+++ b/docs/examples/driver_examples/Qcodes example with Minicircuits Switch boxes (USB-XSPDT).ipynb	
@@ -21,16 +21,19 @@
    "cell_type": "markdown",
    "metadata": {},
    "source": [
-    "change the serial number to the serial number on the sticker on the back of the device, or leave it blank if there is only one switch box connected\n",
-    "\n",
-    "The driver_path should specify the url of the dll for controlling the instrument. You can find it here:\n",
+    "To use this driver you should install qcodes with the `minicircuits_usb_spdt` extra i.e. `pip install qcodes[minicircuits_usb_spdt]` \n",
+    "You also need to install the driver dll from the vendors webpage.\n",
+    "You can find it here:\n",
     "\n",
     "https://www.minicircuits.com/softwaredownload/rfswitchcontroller.html\n",
     "\n",
     "Download .NET dll and save somewhere. Unblock it (right click properties) and specify the path.\n",
     "\n",
     "The downloaded ZIP file contains two DLLs. We recommend using mcl_RF_Switch_Controller_NET45.dll\n",
-    "which supports the most recent .net versions. "
+    "which supports the most recent .net versions. \n",
+    "\n",
+    "The `driver_path` argument should specify the url of the dll for controlling the instrument. \n",
+    "Change the `serial_number` argument to the serial number on the sticker on the back of the device, or leave it blank if there is only one switch box connected"
    ]
   },
   {
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index a9745ddacc6..e062182e559 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ Changelog = "https://microsoft.github.io/Qcodes/changes/index.html"
 
 [project.optional-dependencies]
 zurichinstruments = ["zhinst-qcodes>=0.3"]
+minicircuits_usb_spdt = ["pythonnet>3.0.4"]
 loop = ["qcodes_loop>=0.1.2"]
 test = [
     "coverage[toml]>=7.10.5",
diff --git a/src/qcodes/instrument_drivers/Minicircuits/_minicircuits_usb_spdt.py b/src/qcodes/instrument_drivers/Minicircuits/_minicircuits_usb_spdt.py
index 206a9531c7a..c0368362268 100644
--- a/src/qcodes/instrument_drivers/Minicircuits/_minicircuits_usb_spdt.py
+++ b/src/qcodes/instrument_drivers/Minicircuits/_minicircuits_usb_spdt.py
@@ -17,8 +17,9 @@
 except ImportError:
     raise ImportError(
         """Module clr not found. Please obtain it by
-                         running 'pip install pythonnet'
-                         in a qcodes environment terminal"""
+                         installing QCoDeS with the
+                         minicircuits_usb_spdt extra, e.g. by running
+                         pip install qcodes[minicircuits_usb_spdt]"""
     )