Introduction to installing and configuring ArcGIS Desktop

When a release is available, the organization's maintenance contact receives an email announcement. Access to downloads from My Esri is managed by this contact.

To install a component, sign into My Esri and click the download link on the site. This link will download a self extracting executable file for installation. After the download completes, you have the option of starting the setup immediately or running it manually. To run the setup manually, browse to the downloaded folder containing the setup and run setup.exe.

ArcGIS Desktop is available as Desktop Basic, Desktop Standard, or Desktop Advanced. Both the Concurrent Use and Single Use versions can be configured with the same setup, ArcGIS Desktop. Desktop Basic, Desktop Standard, and Desktop Advanced are licensing product levels. Once installed, you can change product levels or switch between Concurrent Use and Single Use versions without uninstalling or performing any installation action.

Concurrent Use license

For Concurrent Use versions, a license allows ArcGIS Desktop products to be used on any machine. Each installation must access a license manager that contains the appropriate license for the software seat type of (Desktop Advanced, Desktop Standard, or Desktop Basic). The license manager, installed on the network, dictates the number of copies of Desktop Basic, Desktop Standard, or Desktop Advanced that can be run simultaneously. A 2018.1 or later license manager is required to run ArcGIS Desktop.

Single Use license

For Single Use, authorization is required for each machine. Once the ArcGIS Desktop installation is complete, you will be provided with the opportunity to authorize your Single Use product.

Installation overview steps

The installation of ArcGIS Desktop is a multi-step process (with only the first three steps required):

1. Install the ArcGIS License Manager (if a 2019.0 or later license manager does not already exist for your use). If you intend to use ArcGIS Desktop as a Single Use version only, you do not need to install ArcGIS License Manager. More information on the License Manager installing the License Manager.
2. Install ArcGIS Desktop.
3. Complete the ArcGIS Administrator wizard to specify your product type, assign a license manager (if using a Concurrent Use product), or authorize your software (if using a Single Use product).
4. Install any of the optional components available for ArcGIS Desktop. These optional components may be required depending on your use of ArcGIS Desktop.