1. Download a Bitfile using NI RIO Device Setup
2. Download a bitfile using NI Measurement and Automation Explorer.

Option 1: Download a Bitfile using NI RIO Device Setup.

The NI-RIO and NI CompactRIO drivers offer a stand-alone tool that allows the configuration of FPGA targets.

1. Launch the RIO Device Setup tool from the Start Menu:
   All Programs>>National Instruments>>NI-RIO>>RIO Device Setup
   to display the RIO Device Setup dialog box.

2. Select the FPGA target to which you want to download a bitfile from the Resource pull-down menu.
   Note: If your RIO Device is not listed: 

   1. please confirm it is connected and showing within NI MAX. 

   2. in some cases when using a VPN connection, remote device detection can be struggled. Try turn off the VPN connection.

   3. the firewall may block the application functions, please give access to RIO Device Setup in the Firewall settings or try to repeat the detection with the Firewall off.

   4. Put the resource manually in the RIO Device Setup using the following formula: 
      rio://IP-Address/FPGA_Name_in_MAX     for example rio://10.94.9.23/RIO0  

3. Browse or type the path to the bitfile you want to download to the flash memory on the FPGA device in the Bitfile to Download path control.

4. Click the Download Bitfile button.

5. On the Device Settings tab, select either Autoload VI on device power-up or Autoload VI on device reboot.

6. Click the Apply Settings button.

7. Click the Exit button.

Option 2: Download a bitfile using NI Measurement and Automation Explorer.

As an alternative method, NI MAX allows you to download a bitfile to your target even without having the LabVIEW FPGA Module installed. To download or erase your bitfile using MAX:

1. Locate your target in MAX.

2. If your target is a local target, select your target's FPGA (named "RIO0" or similar)

3. If your target is remote (and therefore shows up under Remote Systems), expand your target, expand Devices and Interfaces, and select your target's FPGA (named "RIO0" or similar)

4. In the right-hand pane, choose any options desired and then select Update Firmware.

5. Navigate to the location on the disk of your bitfile and select it.