ArcGIS Desktop users
The ArcGIS Desktop 10.8.1 setup is designed to detect and upgrade an existing installation of ArcGIS Desktop (version 10.3 or later) on the target system. The settings for the installation location, license manager (for Concurrent Use), or authorization information (for Single Use) are retained in the upgrade. After installation, any customizations, add-ons, or third-party applications previously installed might need to be reapplied. The installation folder cannot be changed for an upgrade.
If you wish to change the installation location, you will need to manually uninstall the previous installation through Add/Remove from the Windows Control Panel before installing ArcGIS Desktop 10.8.1 in the new location.
Concurrent and Single Use
Your current authorization will be preserved and reconfigured. For Concurrent Use, ensure the license manager you are connecting to is a 2020.0 or later license manager. You can run the ArcGIS Administrator after installation to change the license manager or any other required settings.
If you are installing ArcGIS Desktop 10.8.1 to the same machine as your previous installation, you are not required to deauthorize your Single Use licenses. If you have borrowed a Concurrent Use license, it is recommended that you return the license before the upgrade process.
Common software upgrade questions
This section addresses common questions about the upgrade behavior of ArcGIS Desktop 10.8.1.
Do I need to uninstall ArcGIS Desktop before installing ArcGIS Desktop 10.8.1?
No. If you already have ArcGIS for Desktop 10.3 or later installed , the setup will automatically upgrade to ArcGIS Desktop 10.8.1. Additionally, you can install ArcGIS Desktop without having an earlier version installed on your machine.
Do I need to upgrade my ArcGIS License Manager?
Yes, if your current License Manager is not 2020.0 or later, you need to upgrade the License Manager. The latest ArcGIS License Manager supports all ArcGIS Desktop releases.
Do I need to reauthorize when upgrading to 10.8.1?
No. Your current authorization will be preserved and reconfigured for 10.8.1 use.
Can I run other versions of ArcGIS products on the same machine?
No. This setup will only upgrade ArcGIS Desktop; therefore, you must run the 10.8.1 setup for any other ArcGIS products that also exist on the target machine.