The NI package manager won't work

[edo7364]

I have a problem with the NI package manager software, it doesn't let me download, upgrade or uninstall anything, everytime it starts doing something it gets stuck, and the only way to terminate it is through task manager, I have an academic license from the University. Attached there is an example of where it gets stuck, looks like it stops whenever it needs to remove something.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[Bob_Schor]

Ah, you seem to be working with the maybe-now-released LabVIEW 2020, SP1.  A more appropriate title for your problem is "NI Package Manager is Very Finicky and Difficult to Use without Errors", otherwise known as "Installing LabVIEW is Best Left to Experienced LabVIEW Users".

I've been installing LabVIEW for almost 15 years.  There were "simple rules" when I got started, they got a little more complicated as we went from Floppies to CDs to DVDs to USB Keys, then blew up when NIPM came along (and USB Keys became more scarce).

The key to doing an Installation in the Age of NIPM is:

• Best to start with an NI-free system.  However, removing all NI software, if done carelessly, is best corrected by reformatting C: and reinstalling Windows, so beware!
• Install slowly (one or two modules at a time), with minimal "Add-ons", rebooting between steps.
• Install as little as necessary.
• (Try to) install Device Drivers last.

I mostly have experience with installing LabVIEW 32-bit, and little experience with LabVIEW NXG.  My recent (last 4-6 months) experience with LabVIEW installations were all successful (Famous Last Words!!).

Bob Schor

[edo7364]

Thank you for replying, maybe you can help, I really don't know what to do since it seems I'll be stuck with LabVIEW forever unless I reformat the PC! is there a way to remove Labview and all the products manually?

[Bob_Schor]

You need to do a several-step procedure.  Note that this might not work if you've "manually" removed any software or (worse) folders from C:\Program Files (or Program Files (x86)) -- in that case, the only solution that I know will work is to backup the C: drive, reformat the C: drive, reinstall Windows and your other programs, then restore your Profile/Files.

Note that this procedure has been described numerous times on this Forum, and can also be found by doing a Web search.

1. Go to Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, or Settings, Apps & Features.  Find National Instruments Software.  Use it to "Remove All".  It should start up NIPM, which you can use to select everything, although it won't select itself.  Let it remove everything it can (it might take a while).  Reboot.
2. Repeat, trying to make sure you have everything made visible (check if there are hidden options).
3. If enverything goes well, you'll be left with only NI Package Manager.  You can run NIPM and ask it to remove itself.  You'll get a warning, but you'll need to accept it.  Reboot.
4. Make sure that nothing "mysteriously" re-appears under NI Software.  If so, go through another Uninstall pass.
5. If you get through all of this without any hangups, breathe a sigh of relief.  Otherwise, prepare to reconstitute your PC (see opening paragraph).  Note that you do not need to remove left-behind National Instruments folders in Program Files and Program Data -- they'll get overwritten when you re-install LabVIEW.

Bob Schor