FAQ: Migrating NI software-based applications to Windows 11
Q: What is changing?
A: Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. This means that technical assistance, feature updates, and security updates/patches are no longer provided after this date.
Q: Which LabVIEW versions are supported on Windows 11?
A: LabVIEW 2022 Q3 and newer versions are compatible for development and deployment on Windows 11 64 bit. LabVIEW 2021 SP1 and all prior versions are considered incompatible with Windows 11.
Q: Do I need to upgrade LabVIEW before migrating my test system to Windows 11?
A: Yes, if your application is built in LabVIEW 2021 SP1 or earlier, you should upgrade to at least LabVIEW 2022 Q3 before moving that system to Windows 11. Older LabVIEW versions might appear to run but can lead to errors or devices not being recognized, which is risky for production systems.
Q: What are the minimum NI driver versions required for Windows 11?
A: NI publishes a Windows 11 compatibility table listing the “first compatible version” for each driver, including NI-DAQ™mx, NI-VISA, NI-Serial, NI-488.2, NI-XNET, PXI Platform Services, etc. For many core products, Windows 11 support begins with 2022 Q3 releases (e.g. NI-DAQ™mx 2022 Q3, NI-VISA 2022 Q3, NI MAX 2022 Q3, NI Package Manager 2022 Q3).
Q: Which NI products or toolkits are not supported on Windows 11?
A: Several products are not supported on Windows 11 (as of January 2026), including:
NI Measurement Studio
NI VirtualBench
NI Analog Waveform Editor
NI Update Service
Some toolkits like the NI Bluetooth and FM/RDS suites.
Certain platforms and educational products (e.g. NI ELVISmx, some PXI Instrument Design Libraries, LabVIEW myRIO and roboRIO toolkits, etc.) are also listed as unsupported and cannot be migrated to Windows 11.
Note: NI Ultiboard compatibility is listed as un supported on windows 11 in the Windows 11 Compatibility chart, but the NI Circuit Design suite 14.3 Patch 2 Details states that supported for Windows 11 has been added.
Q: Can I still run 32 bit LabVIEW and 32 bit drivers on Windows 11?
A: Windows 11 is only available as a 64 bit operating system, but 32 bit applications such as LabVIEW 32 bit and many 32 bit drivers are supported when you use versions that are listed as being 32-bit compatible.
Q: How do I check if my existing LabVIEW and driver stack is compatible with Windows 11?
A: Two main places:
LabVIEW and Microsoft Windows Compatibility article
NI Product Compatibility for Microsoft Windows 11 article
To validate a system, map each software component (LabVIEW version, each toolkit/module version, and every driver) against these tables. Expect the need for upgrade for any software older than the earliest supported versions.
Q: What are the main Windows 11 planning considerations for NI-based test systems?
A:
Software bitness (32-bit vs. 64-bit)
The first supported versions for all NI software
Knowledge of unsupported products
To ensure compatibility with Windows 11 use only compatible and qualified compatible versions of LabVIEW, NI TestStand, NI MAX, NI Package Manager, and all required drivers. Confirm the compatibility of each component via its readme before performing the OS upgrade.
Q: What is the recommended NI software baseline for new Windows 11 systems?
A: For new designs targeting Windows 11, NI effectively points to the 2022 Q3 or newer ecosystem: LabVIEW 2022 Q3+, NI MAX 2022 Q3, NI Package Manager 2022 Q3, NI Package Builder 2022 Q3, and NI TestStand 2022 Q4 or later. Starting new projects on these or newer releases ensures that development, deployment, and device drivers are all within the officially supported Windows 11 range.
Q: How does Windows 11 impact PXI and embedded controller upgrades?
A: NI’s PXI Express Controller and Windows 11 Compatibility page explains that only certain controllers have a Windows 11 migration path, and those must also meet Microsoft’s Windows 11 hardware and TPM requirements. To upgrade a supported PXI Express controller, use a Windows 11 IoT Field Upgrade Kit and follow the prescribed upgrade process using the supplied USB flash drive.
Q: What if my PXI controller or embedded hardware does not list Windows 11 support?
A: NI’s PXI Express Controller and Windows 11 Compatibility page calls out which controller models are supported, partially supported, or not supported at all.
If a controller, such as some PXIe 8861 configurations, does not officially support Windows 11, NI’s guidance is to keep it on Windows 10 or update the controller hardware to a newer, supported model.
Q: What risks are there if I migrate to Windows 11 without updating NI software?
A: NI warns that using LabVIEW or NI software versions not listed as compatible with a given OS can cause errors, missing devices, or situations where Windows cannot find drivers for NI hardware.
For production test systems, NI strongly encourages aligning all components to at least their Windows 11 qualified versions to avoid unexpected downtime or hardware detection failures after the OS upgrade.
Citations
Microsoft. (n.d.). Windows 10 support has ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft Support. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-support-has-ended-on-october-14-2025-2ca8b313-1946-43d3-b55c-2b95b107f281
National Instruments. (n.d.). NI product compatibility for Microsoft Windows 11. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://www.ni.com/en/shop/software-portfolio/ni-product-compatibility-for-microsoft-windows-11.html
National Instruments. (n.d.). Circuit Design Suite 14.3 Patch 2 details. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://www.ni.com/en/support/documentation/supplemental/25/circuit-design-suite-14-3-patch-2-details.html
National Instruments. (n.d.). PXI Express controller and Windows 11 compatibility. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://www.ni.com/en/support/documentation/compatibility/25/pxi-express-controller-and-windows-11-compatibility.html