10 Sep LabVIEW, Windows 10, and the Upgrade You Didn’t Want to Deal With (But Probably Should)
LabVIEW, Windows 10, and the Upgrade You Didn't Want to Deal With (But Probably Should)
So here’s the deal: Microsoft is pulling the plug on Windows 10 support after October 14, 2025. No more security updates. No more patches. And yes, no more protection from the bad guys scanning networks for outdated systems in industrial environments.
If you’re using LabVIEW to run test stations, data acquisition, or process control setups, this Windows 10 end-of-life isn’t just a headline—it’s a big deal. Let’s break it down.
A few years back, I had a customer who got hit by WannaCry—the ransomware attack that made headlines around the world. If you don’t remember, WannaCry was a 2017 cyberattack that spread like wildfire through networks using an unpatched vulnerability in Windows. It encrypted everything it touched and demanded a Bitcoin ransom to unlock your own files.
This customer lost all of their data and source code—decades of engineering work, wiped out in hours because the system was still running on an unsupported version of Windows.
WannaCry wasn’t a fluke. It’s exactly the kind of thing that happens when machines get left behind on unpatched, unsupported operating systems. And it will happen again.
Windows 10 going end-of-life puts your systems in the same kind of danger.
Maybe.
LabVIEW versions before 2022 often have compatibility issues with Windows 11. If you’re running:
- LabVIEW 2019 or earlier: You will have some updating and regression testing to do.
- 2020 or 2021: It’s a gray area. Some setups work, some don’t.
- 2022 or newer: These versions were built with Windows 11 in mind.
But even if your version of LabVIEW could run on Windows 11, it doesn’t mean your drivers, hardware, or custom code will be so forgiving.
Let’s be real—it’s not a quick download and reboot. Here’s what you’re looking at:
- Recompile your VIs (and probably fix a bunch of broken stuff)
- Update your toolkits and NI drivers
- Validate third-party or in-house libraries
If you’ve got older code with lots of legacy dependencies (which, let’s face it, most production systems do), expect some bumps in the road.
This is where things can get dicey. LabVIEW systems almost always talk to hardware—PXI chassis, USB DAQs, serial devices, embedded controllers, etc. And older hardware might not be supported on Windows 11.
You might need to replace or upgrade if:
- Your drivers aren’t signed for Windows 11
- You’re running on an old PXI chassis or embedded controller that doesn’t support the new OS
- You’re relying on serial/USB devices that no longer play nice with modern driver frameworks
Even if the device works, that doesn’t mean it’s secure. Unsigned drivers = open doors.
If you’re still running LabVIEW on Windows 10, now’s the time to make a plan:
- Inventory your systems—LabVIEW versions, toolkits, OS, hardware.
- Test upgrades in a sandbox (don’t risk your production line on a guess).
- Figure out what needs replacing—hardware, licenses, drivers.
- Get help if you need it. That’s what we’re here for.
We’ve already seen what can happen when companies run critical systems on unsupported software. WannaCry was just one example. I watched one customer lose everything—source code, test data, full project IP—because a machine running Windows XP was still in production and unpatched.
Don’t be that story when Windows 10 reaches end-of-life.
Whether you’re ready to start upgrading, or you just want someone to walk you through the process, we’re here to help. From evaluating your current LabVIEW systems to putting together a full migration plan, we’ve got your back.
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