Find Readme Files for NI Software and Drivers

Updated Sep 15, 2023

Environment

Software

  • TestStand
  • LabVIEW
  • LabVIEW NXG
  • LabWindows/CVI
  • VeriStand
  • Measurement Studio
  • DIAdem
  • Vision Development Module

Driver

  • NI-DAQmx
  • NI-DMM
  • NI-SCOPE
  • NI-SWITCH
  • NI-VISA
  • NI-488.2

Operating System

  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Mac OS X

  • Where can I find readme files and release notes or release details for my NI software and drivers?
  • Where can I find information for my NI software and drivers such as operating system compatibility, system requirements, new features, known issues or bug fixes?

A readme file is included with each version of NI software and drivers. The readme file is reviewed by the NI Research and Development department before each release and contains the most accurate information regarding support, requirements, compatibility and other needs.

To find your readme file, bug, patch and compatibility information:

Release Notes provides a consolidated view of version-specific information about NI software products, such as readmes, installation instructions, known issue lists, bug fix information, compatibility, and other important release details
 

To manually find your readme file posted to NI's Online Manual Database:

Starting with versions 2014 or 14.0, you can browse or search for many products and drivers with readmes posted to NI Online Manuals . This includes Windows, Linux and Mac OS.
Note: Not all products may have readme’s posted here, and some products may have versions previous to 2014 and 14.0.
 

To find your readme posted to NI Downloads:

Most NI software programming environments and all driver versions will have a readme link posted on their download page. You can search and browse for these pages in NI Software and Driver Downloads. You can change the language of the readme by choosing your preferred language from the Language drop-down menu before clicking on the readme link.



To find your readme installed locally using the Windows Start Menu:

All NI software and drivers installed locally should include a shortcut to the readme file through the Start Menu navigation. To find it navigate to Start»Programs»National Instruments. You can then navigate to the folder containing your product and you should find a sub-folder labeled either Documentation or Readme, which will contain a shortcut to the readme file. 


 

To find your readme installed locally using Windows File Explorer:

All NI software and drivers installed locally should include a readme file stored locally. You can find these at <Program Files>\National Instruments. Most are located under the product’s main folder, but some may be located under a Documentation or Readme sub-folder. 


 

To find your readme installed locally on Mac OS X:

All NI software and driver installed locally should include a readme file stored locally. You can find these at Applications/National Instruments/. Most are located under the product’s main folder, but some may be located under a Documentation or Readme sub-folder. 

Additional Information

  • NI readme files can be found in many locations online and on your local machine. NI recommends first trying to access the online readme as these may be updated after release. 
  • Note: Information contained in a readme is solely for that version. Many products have compatibility pages spanning multiple supported versions, consolidating information found across many readmes. For example, LabVIEW and Windows Compatibility or NI-DAQ™mx and LabVIEW Compatibility