How to Find the Serial Number of My NI Software

NI Software and other entitlements are associated with a serial number; you can use your serial number to activate software and also to gain access to your support entitlements by registering your serial number on your NI user account. The serial numbers for NI software are typically alphanumeric codes of 8 or more characters, depending on the type of license purchased. 

If you recently purchased NI software, the serial number should be provided to you via email from ni@ni.com. 

If you have NI Software installed and activated on your computer, you should be able to use NI License Manager to find the serial number you are currently using. The following methods can be followed to determine the serial number being used.  The process you should follow depends upon the type of license agreement you are a part of. 

Note: If you are looking to find the serial number of a piece of NI hardware, follow steps in How to Find the Serial Number or System Tag of My NI Hardware - NI 

For Community Edition: Activate NI Community Edition Software

For Student Edition: Activating NI Software as a Student Through an Academic License

Account-Based Activation

NOTE: The Serial Number will not appear when using account-based activation. This is done when the end-user chooses Check my account for licenses while activating.

Single-Seat License

Using NI License Manager 4.0 and Later:

1. Open NI License Manager. 
2. Navigate to the Local Licenses tab for local or disconnected licenses. 
3. Expand the software package of interest. 
4. If the software is activated, the circle next to it will be green and the serial number will be in the Serial Number field. 

The Serial Number will also be hidden if the software was activated via an activation code. To hide your serial number, use the following instructions: How to Hide Software Serial Number in NI License Manager? 

Using NI License Manager 3.1 and Previous:

1. Open the NI License Manager. 
2. Navigate to the NI software of interest under Local Licenses. For example, Local Licenses»LabVIEW 2016»Development System»Professional Development System. 
   • If the software is activated, the box next to it will be green and the serial number will be in the Serial Number field.

Volume License Agreement 

Volume License Programs require an administrator. Contact the administrator for the serial number. Their contact information can be found through NI License Manager. 

Using NI License Manager 4.0 and Later:

Navigate to the Network Licenses tab and you'll find the administrator contact information listed on the left side of the window as in the image below. 

Using NI License Manager 3.1 and Previous:

Click on the Server Name, and the administrator contact information will be listed on the right side of the window. 

Next Steps

Legacy: NI Software Delivered via Physical Media 

 
In 2017, NI moved to digital delivery method for software installation media and away from physical media.  

If you’re using software that was previously delivered via physical media (like DVDs or USBs), you can use the Certificate of Ownership to find your serial number. 

The serial number is located on the Certificate of Ownership included in the software kit. If the software kit does not include a Certificate of Ownership, it is possible to find the serial number on the product packing slip or on the shipping label as shown below. 

Considerations 

• Most NI software can be downloaded from ni.com/downloads as soon as you purchase it, or you can download most software in evaluation mode to try it before you buy it. After you purchase the software, you will receive an email that will ask you to accept access to the software, and NI will link this activated software to your NI user account. 
• To access your support entitlements, including the ability to download software from ni.com/downloads, you must register the serial number associated with your software license and/or service program to your NI account. If the download button is disabled, but you believe you’re entitled to that version of software, please ensure that your serial number is registered before calling Support. Reference the article The Download Button is Disabled to learn more.
• For both Single-Seat Licenses and Volume License Agreements, if you’re unable to find your serial number, or maybe you’re not responsible for using NI License Manager at your company, please reach out to your Software Administrator before calling Support.

• In some cases, the software may be delivered to you on physical media, or you may request this option when you purchase the item. After the software kit arrives, the serial number included in it can be entered in NI License Manager to permanently activate the software. 

• NI Community edition software, like LabVIEW Community edition, does not use serial numbers to activate.