Perform a Clean Uninstall of NI Software on Windows

Issue Details

Solution

1. Verify complete removal using NI Package Manager
   • Open NI Package Manager.
   • Select the Installed tab.
   • Click the Gear icon to open Settings.
   • Enable Show full version numbers and hidden packages.
   • Disable Products only.
   • Select all listed items and remove them.
   • After all packages are removed, uninstall NI Package Manager from Apps and Features in Windows.
2. Delete residual files and folders
   Standard uninstall processes may leave configuration files behind. Manually delete the following directories if they exist. Ensure Show hidden files and folders is enabled in Windows Explorer.

   C:\Program Files\National Instruments
   C:\Program Files (x86)\National Instruments
   C:\ProgramData\National Instruments
   C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\National Instruments
   C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\National Instruments
   

3. Clean the Windows registry
   Note: Back up the Windows registry before making any changes.
   • Press , type regedit, and press .
   • Delete the following registry keys if present:

     HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\National Instruments
     HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\National Instruments
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\National Instruments
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WOW6432Node\National Instruments
     

4. Reboot and reinstall National Instruments software
   • Restart the computer to release any locked files.
   • Install LabVIEW first, if it is the Application Development Environment (ADE) being used.
   • Install required drivers, such as NI-DAQmx, after LabVIEW, preferably using offline installers.