Activate NI Software Without Internet Connection

Updated Aug 25, 2023

Environment

Software

  • NI License Manager

Typical NI software activation relies on an internet connection. However, if you have a computer that does not have access to the internet, you are still able to activate your software by using activation codes or a disconnected license.

If you are part of a Volume License Agreement, you can activate software on your offline computer by contacting your admin to create a disconnected license file, and then follow steps to install the disconnected license.

If you have a Single-Seat License, follow the steps below to activate software on your offline computer.

Create an Activation Code

An Activation Code is 20-digit alphanumeric code that is specific to your computer, your software, and your serial number.
  1. For the offline computer, find the unique computer ID, the serial number of your product, and the version of the software installed on the computer.
    • Note that activation codes are unique to the version of the software that it was generated for. For example, an activation code for LabVIEW 2021 will not activate LabVIEW 2022Q3 and an activation code for LabVIEW 2020 SP1 will not activate LabVIEW 2020.
  2. On a computer with an internet connection, visit the NI Product Activation page. Fill out the fields on this page with the information about the offline computer. It will generate an activation code valid for the offline computer only.
    • You will need a separate activation code for each software product you would like to activate.
    • If you cannot generate the activation code, contact NI Support and request an activation code.
 
Now that you have your Activation Codes, you can activate the software on your offline computer either through NI License Manager or the NI Licensing Wizard within your product. 
  • While either method will end in product activation, using NI License Manager will be easier if you have multiple pieces of software (i.e. multiple activation codes) to input at once. Whereas, NI Licensing Wizard will be more straightforward if you only have one piece of software you would like to activate.
 

Using NI License Manager

  1. Once you have obtained the activation code(s) for your product(s), launch NI License Manager.
  2. Click on Activate Software.
nilmActivateSW.png
 
  1. If you have not logged into your NI Account before, NI License Manager will prompt you to log in. Dismiss this notification by clicking on No internet connection? Continue with offline activation.
nilmIgnoreLogInPrompt.png
 
  1. Enter your Activation Code(s). Click on Activate.
nilmEnterActivationCode.png
 
  1. If your software activation was successful, you should see a window similar to the following image. Click on Finish.
nilmSuccessfulActivation.png
 
 

Using the NI Licensing Wizard

  1. Open the software you would like to activate (e.g. LabVIEW 2022 Q3).  If it is not licensed yet, it will launch the NI Licensing Wizard.
  2. If you have not logged in before, you will be prompted to log in for activation. You can dismiss that by clicking on No internet connection? Continue with offline activation.
licensingWizardIgnoreLogInPrompt.png
 
Note: Older software versions' Licensing Wizard will have a different interface (image below). Click on the 'X' to dismiss the login prompt.
 
NILicensingWizardLoginOlderVersions.jpg
 
  1. Enter your Activation Code(s) and click on Activate.
licensingWizardEnterActivationCode.png 
Note: Older software versions' Licensing Wizard will have a different interface (image below). Enter your Activation Code and click on Apply Codes.
 
NILicensingWizardActivationCodesOlderVersions.jpg
 
  1. If your software activation was successful, you should see a window similar to the following image. Click on Finish.
licensingWizardSuccessfulActivation.png