With ArcGIS Desktop entering mature support on 1 March 2024, there are no plans for additional ArcMap releases in the future. ArcGIS Desktop maintenance will continue until 1 March 2026, however we recommend migrating to ArcGIS Pro at your earliest convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Find answers to common questions around the retirement of ArcGIS Desktop.
- When does ArcGIS Desktop maintenance end?
ArcGIS Desktop maintenance ends 1 March 2026. You can move to a GIS Professional Named Users or ArcGIS Pro Standalone licence at a ratio of 1:1.
If you choose to move to an ArcGIS Pro standalone and retain current maintenance, you will continue to receive updates and be able to work with your existing single use and concurrent use licences.
However, ArcGIS Pro standalone does not include a named user entitlement — it will work with services and items from ArcGIS Online and Enterprise.
- When will new sales of ArcGIS Desktop end?
ArcGIS Desktop will no longer be available for sale as of 1 March 2024. After this date, only GIS Professional Named Users or ArcGIS Pro Standalone licences will be available for purchase.
Please note ArcGIS Pro Standalone does not come with a named user entitlement for ArcGIS Online or Enterprise.
- My Desktop maintenance has expired. Will I be able to renew it?
For Esri to accurately forecast and plan for the effort required to support a retired product, any ArcGIS Desktop maintenance that has dropped for more than 30 days cannot be renewed.
We recommend purchasing a new GIS Professional Named User or ArcGIS Pro Standalone licence to replace unmaintained licences.
- Will Desktop still be available for Personal Use licences?
No, Personal Use licences will no longer include Desktop/ArcMap as the product is entering retirement.
Should you require the use of Desktop/ArcMap please contact our sales team for a perpetual commercial licence which remains available for purchase until 1 March 2024.
- Are there any changes to Non-Profit licences?
Desktop for Non-Profit licences will be replaced by an ArcGIS Online GIS Professional Advanced with extensions non-profit organisation program fee and annual subscription instead of Desktop from 1 March 2024.
This licence will maintain your current inclusions with the exception of ArcMap. Should you require the use of Desktop/ArcMap going forward, you can purchase Desktop Single Use Perpetual until 1 March 2024.
- Will there be any upgrades made to Desktop applications going forward?
No, Esri’s development team is focusing on upgrading ArcGIS Pro and will no longer be allocating development resources to ArcGIS Desktop applications.
Should you require a higher level of Desktop licence, you can purchase a Desktop Single Use Perpetual until 1 March 2024, however, we recommend migrating to ArcGIS Pro and purchasing a GIS Professional Named User or ArcGIS Pro Standalone as you upgrade.
- What happens if I keep my Desktop Maintenance?
You can continue using ArcMap and Pro perpetual licences without updates or support — please note that as of 1 March 2026, your maintenance will no longer include an ArcGIS Online named user. We recommend converting your Pro Single Use or Concurrent Use licence to an authorisation number and to no longer licence through ArcGIS Online.
- Will Single Use or Concurrent licences still be available?
While all existing Single Use and Concurrent licences will continue to function as normal until 1 June 2026 no new Single Use or Concurrent core licences can be purchased from 1 March 2024. Desktop licences can be exchanged GIS Professional Named Users or Pro Standalone at a ratio of 1:1 and then the extension purchased.
Please note ArcGIS Pro Standalone works in a similar way to Single Use licences but do not come with a named user entitlement for ArcGIS Online or Enterprise.
- Can I continue purchasing extensions for Desktop?
New Desktop extensions can be purchase until 1 March 2024. After this time Desktop Basic, Standard or Advanced licences will need to be converted to GIS Professional Named Users or Pro Standalone at a ratio of 1:1 and then the relevant extension purchased.
- I am a student or receive my licence from an educational institution. Will I be affected?
Education licences are managed through a centralised licence administrator within your educational institution. The licence administrator will migrate your licences for you to ensure you maintain the licences you require for your teaching, study or research purposes.