cvirte.dll Missing When Launching LabWindows™/CVI™ Executable

Updated Mar 27, 2025

Reported In

Software

  • LabWindows/CVI

Issue Details

My LabWindows/CVI application runs without errors on my development computer.  However, when I try building an executable and running it on a target computer, I receive an error that says Windows can't find the cvirte.dll or that the cvirte.dll is missing. Sometimes, I receive the error the executable is linked to a missing export: cvirte.dll. 

Solution

This occurs because the target computer is missing the LabWindows/CVI Run-Time Engine. There are two ways to resolve this.

  • Download and install the correct version of the LabWindows/CVI Run-Time Engine in the target computer. The version of the Run-Time Engine must match the version of LabWindows/CVI development environment you are using. You can select the Runtime as an option from Included Editions.
  • Include the Run-Time Engine in your LabWindows/CVI EXE distribution by building an installer.
    • LabWindows/CVI 8.0 and later
    1. Select Build >> Distributions >> Manage Distributions
    2. In the Manage Distributions dialog box, select your distribution and then click Edit
    3. In the Edit Installer dialog, choose the Drivers & Components tab
    4. Check the LabWindows/CVI (Shared) Run-Time Engine option, then click OK
    5. In the Manage Distributions dialog box, right click your distribution and select Build...
    6. Wait for the build to end and click Explore Output Directory. Your installer is in this folder.
    • LabWindows/CVI 6.0, 7.0 or 7.1
    1. Select Build >> Create Distribution Kit
    2. In the Create Distribution Kit dialog box, choose Full Run-Time Engine for the Run-Time Engine Support option

Additional Information

The installer will install the LabWINDOWS/CVI™run-time engine on the target computer as well as your executable. 

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