Software Product Lifecycle Policies
NI software products have standard lifecycle policies that define release frequency and support. There are three lifecycle phases for our software products.
We are updating our software lifecycle policy to better align with industry standards and global security requirements. The current lifecycle policy is displayed in the following table. The new lifecycle policy will go into effect on January 15, 2027; to view the upcoming changes see the Support Available in Software Lifecycle Phases (Effective January 15, 2027) table on this page.
| Lifecycle Phase | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Support Type | Mainstream Support | Extended Support | Beyond End of Support |
| Technical Support | |||
Phone support | Active subscription or service agreement required | Possible with a long-term service agreement1 | — |
| Email support | Active subscription or service agreement required | Possible with a long-term service agreement1 | — |
| Online forums | |||
| Online documentation | |||
| Dedicated support group2 | — | ||
| Upgrade assistance3 | |||
| R&D Development | |||
| OS updates | Possible with a long-term service agreement1 | — | |
| Non-security-related bug fixes | Possible with a long-term service agreement1 | — | |
| Security-related bug fixes | — | ||
| Driver support4 | — | — | |
| Software service packs/maintenance releases | — | — | |
| Software download available | Active subscription or service agreement required | — | |
| Training | |||
| On-demand courses | — | ||
| Virtual or classroom training5 | — | ||
| Purchase | |||
| Product available for purchase | — | ||
1Contact us to inquire about availability.
2Available at an additional cost, typically as part of an enterprise agreement. Contact us to inquire about availability.
3Available at an additional cost. Refer to NI Technical Consulting Services for more information.
4Device driver distributions are tested on the most current version of the specific LabVIEW release. Refer to NI Driver and Development Software Compatibility for more information.
5Some public & private virtual training and public classroom training are included with the purchase of a subscription to a software suite. Private training may be available at an additional cost.
The following table contains the new software lifecycle policy that will be effective starting on January 15, 2027. Software releasing in 2027 will adhere to these lifecycle phases at different points throughout the year. Refer to the Product Support Phase Durations table on this page to determine your product’s lifecycle phase.
| Lifecycle Phase | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Active | Limited Support | End of Life | |
| Availability | |||
Available for Purchase | — 6 | — | |
| Available for Download | 7 | — | |
| Technical Support | |||
| Phone and Email Support | Active subscription or service agreement required | —8 | — |
| Dedicated Support Group9 | Active subscription or service agreement required | —8 | — |
| Upgrade Assistance10 | — | ||
| Online Forums and Documentation | |||
| Product Updates | |||
| OS Updates | —8 | — | |
| Security Updates | 5 years after release and then possible with long-term service agreement8 | — | |
| Bug Fixes | —8 | — | |
| Driver Support11 | —8 | — | |
| Education Services | |||
| On-Demand Courses | Service agreement required | — | |
| Virtual or Classroom Training12 | Service agreement required | — | |
6Sellable versions of software limited to Active products; software license gives user access to activate previous versions of software.
7Previous versions of software in the Limited Support phase are available to download in an archive state, with no guarantee of security updates or official support. May require an active service agreement.
8Possible with a long-term service agreement. Contact us to inquire about availability.
9Available at an additional cost, typically as part of an enterprise agreement. Contact us to inquire about availability.to inquire about availability.
10Available at an additional cost. Refer to NI Technical Consulting Services for more information.
11Device driver distributions are tested on the most current version of the specific LabVIEW release. Refer to NI Driver and Development Software Compatibility for more information.
12Some public and private virtual training and public classroom training are included with the purchase of a subscription to a software suite. Private training may be available at an additional cost.
| Product | Versions in Mainstream Support |
|---|---|
| LabVIEW | 2023 and later |
| LabWindows™/CVI | 2020 |
| TestStand | 2023 and later |
| DIAdem | 2023 and later |
| VeriStand | 2023 and later |
| Measurement Studio | 2019 |
| FlexLogger | 2023 and later |
| InstrumentStudio Pro | 2024 and later |
| SystemLink | 2023 and later |
| Multisim and Ultiboard | 14.3 and later |
The mark LabWindows is used under a license from Microsoft Corporation. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.