ArcGIS Pro is a modern and powerful desktop GIS application with advanced functionality and hundreds of geoprocessing tools for managing, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data.

For both new and established desktop GIS users, we recommend ArcGIS Pro. ArcGIS Pro has replaced ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap) and its improved performance, additional capabilities, and integration with the ArcGIS Online platform make it the preferred choice for a desktop GIS available through our Esri education institutional agreement. This page provides instructions for:

• Downloading ArcGIS Pro
• Licensing ArcGIS Pro as a Named User

ArcMap users should review Esri's documentation on Migrating from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro for additional resources. If you have questions or concerns regarding migrating from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro, please email esri-support@osu.edu. ArcMap has been retired from our educational license as of July 1, 2024.

Installation files for ArcGIS Pro are made available through Ohio State's SharePoint organization, and you will be prompted to log in with your university credentials to download the files linked below. Note for OSUMC users: Log in with your name.#@osu.edu credentials and not your OSUMC username.

Review Esri's documentation on ArcGIS Pro system requirements prior to installing. If you are a Mac user, also review Esri's documentation about Running ArcGIS Pro on a Mac.

The files provided below are for the latest version of ArcGIS Pro and include installation files for the core program, data interoperability extension, and any associated patches (for fixing bugs and addressing security vulnerabilities). Install the core program before installing the associated patches or extension. As new software versions and/or patches become available, the files below will be updated so we recommend checking this guide periodically for those updates.

ArcGIS Pro 3.5.3 (Latest 3.x version)

Install the ArcGIS Pro 3.5 core program first. Then install any patches or extensions. Each patch is cumulative of all previous patch fixes.

ArcGIS Pro 3.5 requires Microsoft .NET Desktop Runtime 8.0.0 or later. If you run the ArcGIS Pro installer and it is not present, you will see a message indicating you first need to install it. Review Esri's documentation on ArcGIS Pro 3.5 system requirements for complete details and to update your Microsoft .NET version if necessary.

• Download ArcGIS Pro 3.5 core program
• Download ArcGIS Pro 3.5 Patch 3 (3.5.3)
• Download ArcGIS Pro 3.5 data interoperability extension

Earlier Versions

If you require an earlier version of ArcGIS Pro, you can find the files for those available here in Ohio State's SharePoint organization (university login required): ArcGIS Pro - All Versions. Each version-specific subfolder includes installation files for the core program, data interoperability extension, and any associated patches.

Individual Users: Named user licensing is required for configuring ArcGIS Pro. With named user licensing, users are automatically assigned a license for ArcGIS Pro Advanced and all available extensions through their Ohio State ArcGIS Online organizational account. Named user licensing requires users to log in with their Ohio State credentials when starting ArcGIS Pro, meaning that it also requires an active internet connection. Complete instructions for initiating ArcGIS Pro with named user licensing are provided below.

Lab Installations: Named user licensing is also required in cases where college/department IT staff need to manage multiple installations in computer labs and/or virtual environments. Lab IT managers can find more information about installing ArcGIS Pro silently here, along with command line examples for configuring named user licensing. The licensing portal URL is https://www.arcgis.com/.

Using ArcGIS Pro with Named User Licensing

1. Make sure that your computer has an active internet connection.
2. If you have not already done so, create your Ohio State ArcGIS Online organizational account by following these instructions.
3. Start ArcGIS Pro. You will be presented with a sign-in screen.
4. Complete the sign-in process as shown below, and you will prompted to enter your Ohio State credentials. Your named user license will automatically be activated the first time that you start ArcGIS Pro and log in with your Ohio State credentials. 

License Note: Taking ArcGIS Pro Offline

In certain circumstances, individual users may need to use ArcGIS Pro in an offline environment. For use cases where individual users will need ArcGIS Pro without an internet connection, it is possible to authorize ArcGIS Pro to work offline. This allows you to use the application without being signed in, but you must be connected to the internet and signed in as a named user to initially enable this setting.

• Follow these instructions to Authorize ArcGIS Pro to work offline.
• Follow these instructions to Check in an offline license.

Please note these important limitations for taking ArcGIS Pro offline:

• When you authorize ArcGIS Pro to work offline, you can only use the application on one machine. This is the machine you use to take your license offline. You cannot use the same named user account to sign in to ArcGIS Pro on any other machine until you return the offline license.
• When authorizing ArcGIS Pro to work offline, the maximum duration for this license is until the end of Ohio State's current license period (June 30 each year). At the license renewal date, you will be required to authorize ArcGIS Pro to work offline again. This will require you to have an internet connection so you can sign in to ArcGIS Pro as a named user and reauthorize it for offline use with a new license expiration date. Otherwise, ArcGIS Pro will fail to open/work in an offline environment.
• Users can authorize ArcGIS Pro to work offline with ArcGIS Pro 3.4 and above. Based on Ohio State's license and organizational settings, offline use is not possible with earlier versions of the program.

We encourage users to review the resources linked below to learn more about accessing relevant training opportunities and documentation for ArcGIS Pro.

• Esri Academy (Training)
• ArcGIS Pro documentation

For users who are new to ArcGIS Pro or looking for a refresher, we recommend the ArcGIS Pro Basics web course from the Esri Academy, as well as the other web courses included in the GIS Fundamentals and ArcGIS Pro Fundamentals learning plans.