Why is ArcGIS Desktop retiring?
ArcGIS Desktop has been a trusted tool for GIS professionals across the world for decades. But as new technology and ways of working emerge, it’s time to move to a modern desktop mapping solution. Esri deprecated ArcMap on 1 July 2024 and will retire ArcGIS Desktop on 1 March 2026. This paves the way for ArcGIS Pro to become our main desktop mapping application, offering a unified, powerful experience that supports today’s integrated workflows.
What this means for you
ArcGIS Pro is now the go-to desktop mapping platform. It combines the capabilities of ArcMap, ArcGlobe, ArcScene, ArcCatalog, and CityEngine in a single application.
Key changes you need to know
From 1 March 2026, ArcGIS Desktop will no longer be updated or supported. This includes ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcScene, ArcGlobe, ArcReader, ArcGIS Engine, and ArcMap-based extensions. If you're still using any of these apps, it's time to start planning your move to ArcGIS Pro and the user types licensing model. User types give you access to ArcGIS apps, capabilities, and content across desktop, web, and mobile, so your workflows stay connected and up to date.
How to migrate to ArcGIS Pro and User Type Licensing
Changes to Single Use licensing
ArcGIS Pro is accessed primarily through user types.
ArcGIS Pro can be purchased on its own, but it doesn’t include a user type for publishing to your organisation’s portal, such as ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise. If you need publishing capability, you’ll need to purchase a separate user type.
If your organisation holds a Single Use perpetual licence for ArcGIS Desktop, you can convert your ArcGIS Pro named user entitlement to an authorisation number using the conversion tool in My Esri. With the retirement of Desktop maintenance, access to the Creator named user entitlements licenses will cease at the end of your maintenance period.
The entitlement gives you access to the version of ArcGIS Pro available at the time of conversion. Technical Support for version 3.6 will continue, in line with the product life cycle.
Access to the conversion tool will end on 1 December 2025. Once a named user is converted to an authorisation number, it can’t be changed back.
Changes to Concurrent Use licensing
Esri is phasing out the Concurrent Use licence type and ArcGIS License Manager. This change affects organisations using Concurrent Use licences for ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS CityEngine, where the primary access method is shifting to user types.
If you're using ArcGIS Enterprise 11.4 or later, you no longer need ArcGIS License Manager to manage named user licenses. For versions 11.3 and earlier, ArcGIS License Manager is still required.
If your organisation holds ArcGIS Desktop Concurrent Use perpetual licences, you can convert your ArcGIS Pro named user entitlement to an authorisation number using the conversion tool in My Esri. This gives you access to the version of ArcGIS Pro available at the time of conversion, with support continuing according to the product life cycle.
Access to the conversion tool will end on 1 December 2025. Once a named user is converted to an authorisation number, it can’t be changed back.
Existing Concurrent Use licences for ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS CityEngine will continue to support software versions released before 1 March 2026. However, new versions of ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS CityEngine released from March 2026 onwards will no longer support Concurrent Use licensing.
ArcGIS License Manager will continue to support Concurrent Use licences into 2028 for:
- ArcGIS Desktop 10.8.x
- ArcGIS Pro 3.6 and earlier
- ArcGIS CityEngine 2025.1 and earlier
- Applications that require License Manager when licensed via user types on ArcGIS Enterprise 11.3 and earlier
Support will follow each product’s life cycle. Once a product reaches the Mature phase, updates for ArcGIS License Manager will no longer be available.
Plan your migration with confidence
ArcGIS Pro gives your team access to modern tools and flexible licensing, so planning ahead will help set your organisation up for success. Here are some key steps to guide your transition:
1. Understand your current setup
What ArcGIS licences do you have, and what do the changes mean for your organisation? Knowing what you currently have helps you plan for what comes next. If you're unsure, use the ArcGIS user type finder to compare options and see how the changes apply to you.
2. Map your migration
How many people in your organisation use ArcGIS, and what do they use it for? Once you know how your team works with ArcGIS, you can match licences to capability using the ArcGIS user type capability tool. This helps you identify the user types that best suit your needs.
3. Access the early migration offer
Your organisation may be eligible to access user types before ArcGIS Desktop is retired. This lets you start using ArcGIS Pro alongside your current licences, so you can plan and test your transition while keeping your current workflows running. Early migration ends December 1, 2025, so make sure to take advantage of this offer early.
Want help with understanding your next steps? Check out the webinar below or contact our team here who can help you with any migration related questions.
