Installing ArcGIS for Desktop on your computer

The ArcGIS for Desktop setup allows you to choose a predetermined set of installation features (complete) or only the specific features required for your installation (custom).

How to prepare to install ArcGIS for Desktop

1. Close all applications on your computer.
2. Verify that your computer meets the system requirements.
3. If you will be using ArcGIS for Desktop Concurrent Use, determine the name of the license manager that you will be using for ArcGIS for Desktop.
4. Insert the ArcGIS for Desktop media to automatically launch the setup program.

Note:

You must obtain and install the appropriate language version of Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher prior to installing ArcGIS for Desktop.

How to install ArcGIS for Desktop

1. The ArcGIS for Desktop download offers the option to start the installation after the files have been extracted. Choose this method or, to manually launch the setup program, use setup.exe.

2. For the remainder of the installation, follow the instructions on the screen.

Optional installation features

The ArcGIS for Desktop setup program includes the ability to install the optional ArcGIS extensions and installation components. To install optional features, including the extensions, choose the complete or custom installation type. Complete installs all installation components, while Custom allows you to choose specific extensions and installation components.

You can add or remove components after installing. See Adding ArcGIS for Desktop installation components for more information.

ArcGIS for Desktop installation location

Accept or select a location for ArcGIS for Desktop to be installed. The default installation location is C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Desktop10.1\.

If Python is selected for installation, you must choose the installation location for it or select the default. See Python requirement for more information.

Additional installation components

The additional ArcGIS for Desktop components, such as ArcGIS Tutorial Data, Data Interoperability extension, ArcGIS for Desktop VBA Compatibility, and ArcGIS for Desktop Developer Resources, can be installed separately, if they are required. The setups for each of these can be installed from the links available on the DVD startup dialog box.

Note:

To enable the VBA macro in the ArcGIS for Desktop applications, you must complete the following steps:

1. Install ArcGIS for Desktop.
2. Install ArcGIS for Desktop VBA Compatibility Setup. See Installing ArcGIS for Desktop VBA for more information.
3. Obtain a license for VBA. For concurrent use products, you must obtain a license for VBA. See Obtaining a license file for more information. For single use products, your authorization file contains the VBA feature. See Obtaining an authorization filefor more information.