Trial Software Help and Resources

How to Download and Extract

1. At this point, you should have a file from a DVD or from the Internet. If you don't have the file, request the trial software.
2. Install the free image (ISO) extractor program 7-Zip, then use it to extract the files.
3. Go to Start > 7-Zip > File Manager. Locate and click ArcGIS Desktop.exe, then click Extract. Choose a location for the extracted files and click OK. This process can take a couple of minutes.

Common Questions

How to Install and Authorize

1. Go to /DotNet35 folder and run setup.exe to install the Microsoft® .NET Framework 3.5 SP1. This is required to install ArcGIS Desktop.
2. Go to the DVD or to your extracted ISO image location and run Esri.exe. This opens the Quick Start Guide.
   

   Note: The Quick Start Guide contains instructions that do not pertain to the trial edition. Please disregard the following sections: All sections on the ArcGIS License Manager 10, Authorize ArcGIS Desktop 10 Concurrent Use, Borrowing and returning licenses, and Getting Support.

3. It's required that you uninstall any previous versions of ArcGIS Desktop or ArcGIS Server before running the setup. Under Uninstall Existing ArcGIS Software, click Detect Conflicts to remove previous versions.
4. To the right of ArcGIS Desktop, click Setup.
5. Click Next and accept the license agreement. Choose Complete and click Next. Click Next to accept all default settings, then click Finish.
6. Steps to Authorize

   1. For Standard edition: Select ArcEditor (Single Use), and click Authorize Now.
      For For Esri Press 180-day edition: Select ArcEditor (Single Use), and click Authorize Now.
      For For Esri Press 90-day edition: Select ArcInfo (Single Use), and click Authorize Now.
      For Education edition: Select ArcInfo (Single Use), and click Authorize Now.
   2. Verify the software you selected is listed at the top of the box. Click OK.
   3. Select I have installed my software and need to authorize it. Click Next.
   4. Select Authorize with Esri now using the Internet. Click Next. If you do not have an Internet connection on the computer you intend to install the software on, you can authorize the software using another computer that has Internet access or via e-mail.
   5. Enter your personal information (2 panels). Click Next on both.
   6. Enter your 12-character authorization number (EVAxxxxxxxxx), and click Next. You can find your authorization number for:
      Standard edition: On the DVD packaging* or e-mailed during download.
      Esri Press edition: Printed on the back of your book.
      Education edition: On the DVD packaging.*
      
      

      *When installing from a DVD you must activate your authorization number prior to this step. If you have not yet done so, follow the appropriate instructions:
      Standard edition | Esri Press edition | Education edition

   7. Select I do not want to authorize any extensions at this time. The trial software automatically authorizes the extensions. Click Next.
   8. Verify that the extensions are listed on the left under Available Extensions. The trial software automatically makes the extensions available. Click Next.
   9. After the authorization process is complete, click Finish. Authorization typically between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.
   10. Click OK to close the ArcGIS Administrator. The software is ready to use.
7. To start ArcGIS Desktop, go to Start > All Programs > ArcGIS > choose ArcMap or ArcCatalog. Note: You won't see ArcEditor in the menu. When you install ArcGIS Desktop at the ArcEditor license level, you get access to the ArcGIS Desktop applications ArcMap and ArcCatalog.

Starting ArcGIS Desktop 10

ArcGIS Desktop contains two applications: ArcMap and ArcCatalog. ArcMap provides data display, query, and analysis. ArcCatalog provides data management.
To start the software, click Start > All Programs > ArcGIS > then choose ArcMap 10 or ArcCatalog 10.

Resources and Tutorials

• Many tutorials are found in the ArcGIS Desktop Help. To perform the exercises in the tutorials, you'll need to install the ArcGIS tutorial data.
• You'll find additional resources such as what's new, forums, blogs, samples, downloads, and knowledge-base articles on the ArcGIS Resource Center. You can also access it from from Start > All Programs > ArcGIS > ArcGIS Desktop Help menu.
• Free, one-hour recorded training seminars are also available.

Trial Period and Expiration

• The trial period begins when you initiate the authorization process and Esri issues your authorization file. If you installed the software but have not authorized it, your trial period has not started. The trial period varies with the edition you have:
  • Standard edition: 60 days
  • Esri Press edition: 180 or 90 days (varies by book)
  • Education edition: 365 days
• You can see the expiration information by using the ArcGIS Desktop Administrator. Click Start > All Programs > ArcGIS > Desktop Administrator > then click on the Availability folder.
• You cannot extend the trial period or reinstall the trial software.