Simple way to fully remove all traces of LabVIEW's serial number from a Windows machine

[JKSH]

Hello,

According to https://forums.ni.com/t5/Real-Time-Measurement-and/Recommended-way-to-deploy-to-a-Windows-based-IC-3... the recommended way to develop an application for a Windows-based NI Industrial Controller is to install LabVIEW on the controller itself. At the end of development, I should deactivate LabVIEW before handing the controller to my customer.

However, deactivation still leaves the serial number in the Windows registry. So, I'll need to either manually delete the serial numbers from the registry, or uninstall+reinstall LabVIEW to overwrite the existing serial numbers.

The manual deletion method is somewhat dangerous, and the reinstall method is somewhat tedious. Is there an easier way to delete the serial numbers?

[PiDi]

AFAIK, there is no automated way, you have to manually remove registry keys. Why is it dangerous?

[billko]

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@PiDi wrote:

AFAIK, there is no automated way, you have to manually remove registry keys. Why is it dangerous?

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It's always somewhat dangerous to muck around in the registry.  Not because it's easy to make a mistake - for something simple as that, anyway - but the fact that ANY mistake can screw up your computer in ways ranging from subtle to no-workie anymore.

[Bob_Schor]

Have you looked at the Windows Registry Access VIs, found on the Connectivity sub-Palette?  Presumably you know the key you want to delete, so code it into a LabVIEW App.

Bob Schor 

[TimothyDug]

Hi JKSH,

As others have mentioned, modifications to your registry can be damaging to your system, so be careful when changing things in there.

Anyway, the serial number is stored in your registry. To remove it, use the following steps.

1. Select Start»Run..., enter regedit and hit Enter. 
2. Select File»Export to back up your registry.
3. Press Ctrl+F to bring up the search window.
4. Search for your serial number and delete the entries containing it.

This will then remove the serial number from the system.