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The Essential Guide for LabVIEW Teams and Data Acquisition Systems

The end of Windows 10 support is approaching and, whether we like it or not, it’s time to plan the migration. For “standard” users, it’s just another update. But for teams working with LabVIEW, NI drivers, or critical data acquisition systems, the story is very different.
Here, every change can affect a measurement, a CAN communication, a DAQ driver, or even an entire test bench.

Yes, Windows 11 brings a refreshed interface and improvements under the hood. But its value goes far beyond aesthetics. In a test environment, it’s primarily about security, stability, and continuity.

Let’s dive into what this migration really means for LabVIEW users.

LabVIEW and Windows 11

The mandatory starting point: LabVIEW 2022 Q3

Good news ! NI has officially confirmed Windows 11 compatibility.
Less good news, only LabVIEW 2022 Q3 and newer versions are fully supported.

Older versions may work, but with no guarantee. In other words: if a bug appears, a driver refuses to load, or NI MAX no longer detects your hardware, NI won’t be able to help.

This aligns with feedback from integrators and developers:

  • some managed to run LabVIEW 2020 or 2019 on Windows 11,

  • but with limited drivers, unstable toolkits, or devices disappearing without warning.

Official compatibility information is available here:

NI Product Compatibility for Windows 11
LabVIEW and Microsoft Windows Compatibility.

What’s the impact on measurement and acquisition systems?

Migrating a PC is easy. Migrating a test bench, a PXI controller, or a HIL acquisition system… is an entirely different challenge. Every software layer must remain consistent to guarantee measurement reliability.

NI Drivers

This is often where problems arise.

Recent drivers like NI-DAQmx, NI-VISA, or NI-SCOPE have been updated for Windows 11.
Older or more specialized drivers often have not.

Some hardware may work, but its configuration or programming tools may not be compatible.
A device that responds but a driver that crashes can waste precious time. Apex Waves confirms it: everything depends on driver versions and hardware age.

Existing LabVIEW Applications

Windows 11 may require you to:

  • recompile VIs,

  • update libraries,

  • replace unsupported toolkits,

  • review outdated or incompatible dependencies.

This is a great opportunity for technical cleanup.
It helps avoid being stuck in a few months because of an unmaintained third-party tool.

Security and Sustainability

Windows 11 offers a more secure environment, reducing intrusion risks on test benches and development machines.
But it also requires signed drivers and reliable applications.
Great for strengthening your platforms, but it requires preparation.

How to migrate safely

Here’s the roadmap engineering teams most often follow:

1. Take inventory

Which LabVIEW versions?
Which drivers?
Which hardware?
A clear overview avoids bad surprises.


2. Update LabVIEW

If you’re below LabVIEW 2022 Q3, you’ll need to upgrade.
It’s the core of your environment, it must be up to date.


3. Install Windows 11 in a test environment

Lab machine, VM, or dedicated workstation. Install:

  • LabVIEW

  • your toolkits

  • your drivers

  • your complete application

Goal: detect incompatibilities before they appear in production.


4. Update drivers

Always choose Windows-11-certified versions.
Better stability, better security.


5. Recompile and clean your VIs

Use the opportunity to:

  • optimize,

  • modernize parts of your code,

  • remove unnecessary dependencies.


6. Document

Record tested versions, applied fixes, and validated configurations.
This is your safety net if you need to roll back.


7. Train your teams

The migration may involve changes in NI MAX, the driver framework, and sometimes the development workflow.

In Conclusion

Migrating to Windows 11 isn’t just an OS update.
For teams working with LabVIEW and data acquisition systems, it’s a real technical project that impacts your test benches, measurements, drivers, and tool reliability.


With a structured approach, this migration becomes a great opportunity to:

  • modernize your stack,
  • improve system reliability,
  • enhance security,
  • prepare your tools for the next generation.
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