NI Package-Based Distribution Built on 64-Bit Computer Fails to Install On 32-Bit

Issue Details

Solution

NI Package Manager 20.7 dropped support for Windows 7/8/8.1 and all 32-bit OSes. After its release on April 9, 2021, building 32-bit deployments in LabVIEW, TestStand, NI Package Builder, or LabWindows/CVI on 64-bit OS internet-connected systems will create package installers that might fail to install on 32-bit OSes. Attempting to install the built deployment will result in the installer reporting that it is unable to locate ni-package-manager (or other Package Manager packages) with a compatible version and architecture. Note: deployments built before April 9, 2021, are not affected and should still install successfully.  

A workaround for preventing this error from happening on your computer with any of those Operative Systems is to downgrade the version of the NI Package Manager. Use the following steps to change the version of Package Manager to 20.6 and prevent it from upgrading: 

1. Downgrade the machine to Package Manager 20.6 by running the following command in an elevated command prompt: "C:\Program Files\National Instruments\NI Package Manager\nipkg.exe" install --allow-downgrade --accept-eulas --force-locked –y ni-package-manager=20.6.0.49316 ni-package-manager-upgrader=20.6.0.49316 ni-package-manager-released-feed=20.6.0.49316 ni-package-manager-deployment-support=20.6.0.49316 system-windows-x64=20.6.0.49316
2. Hide the online feed which contains the Package Manager 20.7 packages by doing one of the following:
   • (Recommended) Go to C:\Program Files\National Instruments\NI Package Manager\Settings, and rename ni-package-manager-released.ini to ni-package-manager-released.ini.bak.
   • Or, disconnect the machine from the network.
3. Clear the cached EULAs by deleting the contents from the directory C:\ProgramData\National Instruments\NI Package Manager\eulas 

If you want to revert those changes, you can do it following the next steps:

• If the machine was disconnected from the network, reconnect the machine to the network. 
• Re-enable upgrades for Package Manager by either: 
  • Renaming ni-package-manager-released.ini.bak to ni-package-manager-released.ini in the C:\Program Files\National Instruments\NI Package Manager\Settings directory.
  • Running the following command in an elevated command prompt: "C:\Program Files\National Instruments\NI Package Manager\nipkg.exe" repair –y ni-package-manager-released-feed
  • Installing Package Manager 20.7 or newer. 

Additional Information

When building an installer, an application such as LabVIEW always includes in the installer the latest available Package Manager packages supported on the building system instead of the currently installed packages. The latest available Package Manager packages can be obtained from the Package Manager packages cache or downloaded from ni.com. When Package Manager 20.7 packages are included in the installer, the installer will not support 32-bit OSes.