Disconnected License File Showing up as Evaluation in NI License Manager

Updated Oct 23, 2023

Reported In

Software

  • Volume License Manager
  • NI License Manager

Operating System

  • Windows

Issue Details

  • I made a Disconnected License in Volume License Manager (VLM) for my offline computer and installed it successfully. However, when I try to launch NI software, it shows up in Evaluation mode in NI License Manager.
  • When I try opening NI software that is included in my Disconnected License file, I receive a warning saying that the Evaluation Licenses are about to expire or that are already expired.
Evaluation.png

Solution

This issue occurs because the NI License Manager is pulling the Evaluation Licenses before pulling the licenses from the Disconnected License file.

To fix this issue you can try the following:
 

  • Upgrade License Manager to 4.7 or the latest version available and let the evaluation expire. 

    Download NI License Manager 4.7 or newer. After updating NI License Manager and launching software, the following activation window will appear. Click Remind Me When They Expire to prevent future notifications of expired Evaluation Licenses. In doing so, the Evaluation License will naturally expire and the Disconnected License will take over.
image.png

  • Hide the Evaluation License files

First, locate the Licenses folder that contains license files for the Evaluation version of your software. This is found in the following location on Windows:
C:\ProgramData\National Instruments\License Manager.

If you have any issues finding the <ProgramData> folder or any other folders, see this Microsoft Support Article: Show hidden files. Then, rename the Licenses folder into Licenses_OLD. This will stop NI License Manager from finding and opening the Evaluation version of the software. Now, create a new folder named Licenses. Lastly, reinstall the Disconnected License File in NI License Manager.

After following the steps above you will have the two folders below:
C:\ProgramData\National Instruments\License Manager\Licenses (with only the disconnected file)
C:\ProgramData\National Instruments\License Manager\Licenses_OLD (with all the files)

Additional Information

If the previous troubleshooting steps do not fix the issue, check the following: 
  • Make sure that you are licensing the proper version/product. The Disconnected License file is only valid for the software versions licensed on the server at the time of disconnecting the license. If you get a new server license file with newer versions, remember to create new Disconnected License files.
  • Make sure that you are not looking at the local licenses.
  • Make sure that there are no temporary licenses in:
C:\ProgramData\National Instruments\License Manager
  • Make sure that the Disconnected License was installed correctly. Refer to Activating NI Software Using a Disconnected License for details.
  • Make sure that the license file does not have an expiration date.
  • If your licenses are user-based, make sure you are logging in to the computer with the correct user name.
  • If your licenses are computer-based, make sure that the computer information is correct in your Disconnected License.
  • Check that your versions of NI Volume License Manager on the server and NI License Manager on the client are running compatible versions.

The following is a list of example license file names:
  • LabVIEW_PDS_PKG_200000.lc : LabVIEW Professional Development System
  • LabVIEW_BDS_PKG_210000.lc : LabVIEW Base Development System
  • LabVIEW_FDS_PKG_210000.lc: LabVIEW Full Development System
  • LabVIEW_PDSD_PKG_210000.lc: LabVIEW Debug Deployment System
  • LabVIEW_Student_PKG_200000.lc: LabVIEW Student Edition

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