Windows 10 introduces several new capabilities and also combines features from both Windows 7 and Windows 8. Use the resources below to learn how Windows 10 impacts engineers and scientists and understand best practices for developing engineering and scientific applications on Windows 10.
Windows 10 reintroduces the Start menu, which changes how you access NI products. After installing NI software using NI Package Manager, you can find your applications listed under the alphabetized 'N' section of the All Apps menu. All secondary shortcuts are under the NI section of the menu.
Windows 10 32-bit can run on either x86 or x64 hardware. Similar to Windows XP 32-bit, Windows 10 32-bit provides access only to 32-bit addresses. As a result, even though Windows 10 32-bit will run on x64 hardware, it is limited to using 4 gigabytes of RAM. Windows 10 32-bit cannot run 64-bit versions of drivers or software designed to run natively on 64-bit operating systems.
Windows 10 64-bit can be installed only on x64 hardware. This version of the operating system allows software to use 64-bit addresses to access hardware and can therefore access much larger memory spaces. In order to run successfully on Windows 10 64-bit, all drivers must have native 64-bit support. However, most 32-bit software applications can run within a Windows 10 64-bit emulation layer.
For more detailed information on the difference between Windows 32-bit and 64-bit, see Using NI Products on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows.
Some NI components require Microsoft Silverlight to function properly. The default browser in Windows 10, Microsoft Edge, does not support Silverlight. Google Chrome also no longer supports Silverlight. Windows 10 includes Internet Explorer 11 for backward compatibility, which supports Silverlight. All Silverlight pages launched from MAX will use Internet Explorer, but Silverlight-based pages launched manually using a default browser that does not support Silverlight, such as Edge or Chrome, will fail to open. For more information about using Silverlight-based pages on Windows 10, refer to KnowledgeBase Remote Front Panels, NI Network Browser, and the Web Interface (WIF) Do Not Work in Google Chrome Version 42 or Higher
NI strongly encourages its customers to disable fast startup as this may affect NI hardware detection after upgrading to Windows 10.
Performing a repair on NI software after upgrading to Windows 10 can result in a loss of access to hardware associated with repaired drivers. To restore the NI device drivers to a working state, perform a repair on the affected device drivers.
Note: This was an issue originally discovered when upgrading from Windows 8.0 to 8.1 that also applies to Windows 10 upgrades.
If there is any question about the compatibility of a piece of software, please refer to the Readme.
Note: On May 1, 2021, NI software dropped support for Microsoft Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012 R2, and all 32-bit Windows operating systems. NI hardware and software released after May 1, 2021, will not install or execute correctly on those operating systems. For product specific information, visit the Readme.
The following table lists the first version of Software compatible with the listed versions of Windows 10 32-bit and Windows 10 64-bit. For more details on specific versions of software, please refer to the Readme for the version in question.
| NI Software | Windows 10 32-bit | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Using 32-bit Software) | (Using 64-bit Software) |
| GPIB-Serial Converter Software | 19 | Not applicable | 19 |
|---|---|---|---|
| G Web Development Software | Not applicable | Not applicable | 2021 |
| LabVIEW 32-bit | 2015 SP1 | 2015 SP1 | Not applicable |
| LabVIEW 64-bit | Not applicable | Not applicable | 2015 SP1 |
| LabVIEW Communications System Design Software | Not applicable | Not applicable | 2 |
| LabVIEW Communications System Design Suite | Not applicable | Not applicable | 2.1 |
| LabVIEW for LEGO® MINDSTORMS | 2016 | 2016 | Not applicable |
| LabVIEW NXG | Not applicable | Not applicable | 1 |
| LabWindows/CVI Run-Time Engine | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 |
| LabWindows™/CVI™ | 2015 | 2015 | Not applicable |
| MeasurementLink | Not Applicable | Not applicable | 2023 Q1 |
| mmWave OTA Validation Test Software | Not applicable | Not applicable | 1 |
| NI Analog Video Generator | Not supported | Not supported | Not supported |
| NI Analog Waveform Editor | Not supported | Not supported | Not supported |
| NI AudioMASTER | Not supported | Not supported | Not supported |
| NI Calibration Executive | 3.6 - 5.0 | 3.6 | 6 |
| NI DIAdem | 2015 SP1 | 2015 SP1 | 2015 SP1 |
| NI Digital Video Generator | Not supported | Not supported | Not supported |
| NI Digital Waveform Editor | 3 | 3 | Not applicable |
| NI FlexLogger | Not applicable | Not applicable | 2018 R2 |
| NI Functional Safety Editor | Not supported | Not supported | 17-Sep |
| NI I/O Trace | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI InstrumentStudio | Not applicable | Not applicable | 2018 |
| NI Lookout (Lookout FDS) | Not supported | Not supported | Not applicable |
| NI MATRIXx | 7.2.8 | 7.2.8 | 7.2.8 |
| NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) | 15 | 15 | Not applicable |
| NI Measurement Studio | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 |
| NI Multisim | 14.0.1 | 14.0.1 | Not supported |
| NI Package Builder | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| NI Package Manager | 19 | 19 | 17 |
| NI Picture Quality Analysis (PQA) | Not supported | Not supported | Not supported |
| NI Real-Time Hypervisor | Not supported | Not supported | Not supported |
| NI SignalExpress | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| NI Switch Executive | 2017 | 2017 | 2017 |
| NI SystemLink Client | Not applicable | Not applicable | 17 |
| NI SystemLink Server | Not applicable | Not applicable | 17 |
| NI TestStand | 2014 SP1 | 2014 SP1 | 2014 SP1 |
| NI Ultiboard | 14.0.1 | 14.0.1 | Not supported |
| NI Update Service | 2.3 | 2.3 | 17 |
| NI VeriStand | 2015 - 2018 SP1 | 2015 - 2018 SP1 | 2019 |
| NI Video Measurement Suite (VMS) | Not supported | Not supported | Not supported |
| NI VirtualBench | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 |
| NI Requirements Gateway | 2014 | 2014 | Not applicable |
The following NI Add-ons and Toolkits are compatible with the listed versions Windows 10 32-bit and Windows 10 64-bit:
| NI Software | Windows 10 32-bit | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Using 32-bit Software) | (Using 64-bit Software) |
| FlexLogger Plugin Development Kit | Not applicable | Not applicable | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LabVIEW Advanced Signal Processing Toolkit | 15.0 3 | 15.0 3 | 2018 |
| LabVIEW Analytics and Machine Learning Toolkit | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 |
| LabVIEW Application Builder | 2015 SP1 | 2015 SP1 | 2015 SP1 |
| LabVIEW C Generator | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | Not applicable |
| LabVIEW Communications MIMO Application Framework | Not supported | Not supported | Not supported |
| LabVIEW Control Design and Simulation Module | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | 2016 |
| LabVIEW Database Connectivity Toolkit | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | 2019 |
| LabVIEW DataFinder Toolkit | 2016 | 2016 | Not supported |
| LabVIEW Datalogging and Supervisory Control Module | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | Not applicable |
| LabVIEW Desktop Execution Trace Toolkit | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | 2016 |
| LabVIEW Digital Filter Design Toolkit | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | 2018 |
| LabVIEW Electrical Power Toolkit | 2016 | 2016 | Not applicable |
| LabVIEW Embedded for ARM Module | Not supported | Not supported | Not supported |
| LabVIEW FPGA Module 1 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 |
| LabVIEW FPGA Xilinx ISE 1 | Not supported | Not supported | Not applicable |
| LabVIEW FPGA Xilinx Vivado 1 | Not applicable | 2018 | 2018 |
| LabVIEW MathScript RT Module | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | 2016 |
| LabVIEW Mobile Module | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| LabVIEW Modulation Toolkit | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| LabVIEW Module for LEGO MINDSTORM | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| LabVIEW myRIO Toolkit | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | Not applicable |
| LabVIEW OPC UA Toolkit | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 |
| LabVIEW PDM Acquisition Toolkit | Not supported | 2020 | Not supported |
| LabVIEW PID and Fuzzy Logic Toolkit 2 | 2015 SP1 | 2015 SP1 | 2015 SP1 |
| LabVIEW Real-Time Module | 2015 SP1 | 2015 SP1 | 20214 |
| LabVIEW Report Generation Toolkit for Microsoft Office | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | 2015 3 |
| LabVIEW roboRIO Toolkit | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | Not applicable |
| LabVIEW Robotics Module | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | Not applicable |
| LabVIEW Softmotion Module | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | Not applicable |
| LabVIEW Statechart Module | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | Not applicable |
| LabVIEW SystemLink Toolkit | 19.5 | 19.5 | 19.5 |
| LabVIEW Touch Panel Module | Not supported | Not supported | Not applicable |
| LabVIEW Unit Test Framework Toolkit | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | 2016 |
| LabVIEW VI Analyzer Toolkit | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | 2016 |
| LabVIEW Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) Module | 2015 3 | 2015 3 | Not applicable |
| LabWindows/CVI Execution Profiler Toolkit | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| LabWindows/CVI PID Control Toolkit | 2.1 | 2.1 | Not applicable |
| LabWindows/CVI Real-Time Module | 2015 | 2015 | Not applicable |
| LabWindows/CVI Signal Processing Toolkit | 7.0.2 | 7.0.2 | Not applicable |
| LabWindows/CVI SQL Toolkit | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 |
| NI Automotive Diagnostic Command Set | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI Bluetooth Toolkit (Run-Time, Generation, Analysis) | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI Combustion Analysis System | 2015 | 2015 | Not supported |
| NI ECU Measurement and Calibration Toolkit | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI FM/RDS Measurement Suite | 1 | Not Supported | Not supported |
| NI GNSS Simulation Toolkit | 3 | Not Supported | Not supported |
| NI License Manager | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| NI Motion Assistant | Not supported | Not supported | Not applicable |
| NI OPC Servers | 2016 | 2016 | Not supported |
| NI Software Calibration Management Toolkit for LabVIEW | 2015 | 2015 | Not supported |
| NI Sound and Vibration Measurement Suite | 15 | 15 | 15.0 (excluding configuration of Express VIs) |
| NI Spectral Measurements Toolkit | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI SystemLink Server - Test Module | Not applicable | Not applicable | 18 |
| NI TDMS | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI TestStand ATML Toolkit | 2013 | 2013 | 2017 |
| NI Vision Development Module | 2015 SP1 | 2015 SP1 | 2015 SP1 |
| NI WLAN Toolkit | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI-RFFastACP | 1.0.0 | 1.0.0 | 1.0.0 |
| NI-RFmx | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| NI-RFPM | Not supported | 16.0.0 | 16.0.0 |
| NI-VRTS | Not applicable | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| RFIC Test Software | Not supported | 3 | 3 |
| Semiconductor Device Control Add-On for InstrumentStudio | Not applicable | Not applicable | 2019 |
| TestStand Semiconductor Module | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 |
| VCSEL I-V Test Software | Not supported | Not supported | 20 |
| Vehicle Communication Toolkit | Not applicable | Not applicable | 1.0 |
1 The LabVIEW FPGA Module is partially supported on Windows 10. However, the Xilinx tools used for your NI FPGA device might not be. For details, refer to LabVIEW FPGA Module Compatibility with Windows 10.
2 NI LabVIEW PID and Fuzzy Logic Toolkit was included with base LabVIEW beginning with LabVIEW 2014.
3 This software version only supports Windows 10 when used with LabVIEW 2015 SP1.
4 There is limited hardware supported in the LabVIEW Real-Time Module 2021 64-bit release.
The following NI Hardware Drivers are compatible with the listed versions of Windows 10 32-bit and Windows 10 64-bit.
| NI Software | Windows 10 32-bit | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Using 32-bit Software) | (Using 64-bit Software) |
| Instrument I/O Assistant | 15 | 15 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FieldPoint | 15 | 15 | Not supported |
| NI CompactRIO Device Drivers | 15.5 | 15.5 | 15.5 |
| NI HWS | 15 | 15 | Not supported |
| NI IVI Compliance Package | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI MXI-Express BIOS Compatibility Software | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| NI PXI Platform Services | 15.1 | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| NI PXI-5624R Digitizer Instrument Design Libraries | Not supported | Not supported | Not supported |
| NI PXI-5644R/5645R/5646R Instrument Design Libraries (VST) | 15.0.2 | 15.0.2 | Not supported |
| NI PXI-5660 | 15 | Not supported | Not supported |
| NI R Series Multifunction RIO Device Drivers 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI System Configuration | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI-488.2 | 15.5 | 15.5 | 15.5 |
| NI-568x | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI-5690 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI-845x | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI-CAN | 15 | 15 | Not applicable |
| NI-DAQmx | 15.5 | 15.5 | 15.5 |
| NI-DCPower | 15.2 | 15.2 | 15.2 |
| NI-DCPower .NET API | 17.1 | 17.1 | 17.1 |
| NI-Digital Pattern Driver | 16.0 1 | 16 | 16 |
| NI-DMM | 15.2 | 15.2 | 15.2 |
| NI-DMM .NET API | 15.2 | 15.2 | 15.2 |
| NI-ELVISmx | 16 | 16 | Not supported |
| NI-Embedded CAN for sbRIO | Not supported | Not supported | Not supported |
| NI-FBUS | 15 | 15 | Not applicable |
| NI-FGEN | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| NI-FlexRIO | 15.1 | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| NI-High Speed Serial | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI-HSDIO | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| NI-IMAQ | 15.5 | 15.5 | 15.5 |
| NI-IMAQ I/O | 15.5 | 15.5 | 15.5 |
| NI-IMAQdx | 15.5 | 15.5 | 15.5 |
| NI-Industrial Communications for CANopen | 15 | 15 | Not applicable |
| NI-Industrial Communications for DeviceNet | 15 | 15 | Not applicable |
| NI-Industrial Communications for DNP3 | 14 | 14 | Not applicable |
| NI-Industrial Communications for EtherCAT (NI-ECAT) | 16 | 16 | Not supported |
| NI-Industrial Communications for EtherNet/IP | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI-Industrial Communications for IEC 60870-5 | 1.1 (with 1.1.1 patch) | 1.1 (with 1.1.1 patch) | Not applicable |
| NI-Industrial Communications for IEC 61850 | 15 | 15 | Not applicable |
| NI-Motion | 15 | 15 | Not applicable |
| NI-OSI | 15 | 15 | Not applicable |
| NI-P2P | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI-PXImc | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| NI-RFSA | 15.0.2 | 15.0.2 | 15.0.2 |
| NI-RFSA .NET API | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| NI-RFSG | 15.0.2 | 15.0.2 | 15.0.2 |
| NI-RFSG .NET API | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| NI-RIO | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI-Scope | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| NI-Scope .NET API | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| NI-Serial | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| NI-SLSC | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| NI-Switch | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| NI-Switch .NET API | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| NI-Sync | 15.0.1 | 15.0.1 | 15.0.1 |
| NI-TimeSync | 15 | 15 | Not supported |
| NI-USRP | 14.5 | 14.5 | 14.5 |
| NI-VISA | 15.0.1 | 15.0.1 | 15.0.1 |
| NI-VISA .NET API | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| NI-VNA | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| NI-VXI | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| NI-WSN | 15 | 15 | Not supported |
| NI-XNET | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| RMX-410x Power Supply Driver | N/A | 20.7 | 20.7 |
1 The NI-Digital Pattern Driver only supports deployment on 32-bit versions of Windows and does not support development on 32-bit Windows.
2 These modules can only be used with 64-bit software, if the bitfile used has been compiled in 32-bit software.