Overview

ArcGIS Desktop is a suite of desktop GIS software, consisting of:

• ArcMap - used to view, analyze and edit 2D geospatial data and produce 2D maps;
• ArcScene - used to view and edit 3D geospatial data;
• ArcGlobe - used to view and edit global 3D geospatial data;
• ArcCatalog - used to manage geospatial data (such as editing metadata and organizing geodatabases).

ArcGIS Desktop Retirement and Migrating to ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Desktop 10.8.1, the latest version of the ArcGIS Desktop suite software, will be retired by Esri on March 2, 2026. Esri will no longer be releasing new features or enhancements for ArcGIS Desktop and will instead focus entirely on ArcGIS Pro at its flagship desktop GIS software. As a result, Esri and JHU Data Services will no longer be providing ArcGIS Desktop licenses, unless in very selective cases, to JHU affiliates. As such, JHU Data Services strongly recommends migrating to ArcGIS Pro. Please feel free to contact JHU Data Services with any questions about temporary, special-case licenses or to discuss migration to ArcGIS Pro.