Performing a clean uninstall of ArcGIS Pro

There may be times, where you get persisting issues with your ArcGIS Pro software and a clean uninstall is the only solution left. This blog takes you through the workflow required to implement such a process.

Please contact Esri Support for assistance with this process if you are unsure if a clean uninstall process is required for you, or if you are unsure of any stage outlined in this blog.

General Workflow for a ‘clean’ uninstall > reinstall

Please note that this article demonstrates the ‘Clean’ uninstall/reinstall workflow on a machine using a Windows Operating System and administrative access is required.

WARNING: You will be making changes to your computer’s registry. It is recommended that you back up your operating system and files, including the registry, before proceeding. Consult a qualified systems professional if necessary.

Uninstall

Close all ArcGIS Pro applications that are running.

Run the uninstall for your Esri products via:

Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > select your ArcGIS product – right-click item > select uninstall/change and follow prompts choosing remove. For more information on this process please refer to the Installing ArcGIS Pro documentation.

Remove Directories

Once complete, Login with Administrative rights and ensure that the following ArcGIS Pro processes are not running in the Windows Task Manager (Start menu > search ‘Task manager’):

• ArcGISCleanup.exe
• ArcGISPro.exe

Delete or rename the following directories (if they still exist):

• C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\ESRI – ArcGISPro and any other Pro folders
• C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\ESRI – ArcGISPro
  • C:\Program Files\ArcGIS – Pro
• C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\StartMenu\Programs\ArcGIS – ArcGIS Pro
• C:\Users\username\ Documents\ArcGIS\AddIns\ArcGISPro

If you cannot find some of the directories listed above they may be hidden. If this is the case then you will need to go into the view tab on your windows explorer interface > navigate your way to the show/hide panel and select Hidden Items. Directories like ‘AppData’ are by default hidden folders.

Remove Registry Keys

Open the registry editor (From Start Menu, type “Regedit”).

Note: It is important to first backup your registry keys before proceeding with the following “Remove Registry Keys” steps. Please follow this backup workflow.

After a successful backup, check to see if the following registry keys still exist, and if so then either delete or rename them. They should be removed after the uninstall process has been completed.

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\ESRI\ArcGIS Online For Pro

Now check to make sure that the license isn’t checked out to work offline.  In the the Registry Editor user interface navigate to

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ESRI\ ArcGISPro\Licensing
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ESRI\ ArcGISPro1.0\Licensing

In each of those directories above (if present), make sure that the ARCPROWORKOFFLINE key value is FALSE. If the value is set to TRUE, log in to ArcGIS Pro and make sure that the license is not checked out to work offline.

When you have confirmed that the ARCPROWORKOFFLINE key value is set to FALSE, proceed to rename or delete the following folders:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ESRI\ ArcGISPro
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ESRI\ ArcGISPro1.0
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ESRI\ArcGISPro

Reboot the system, and attempt to run the Install of ArcGIS Pro in the below section.

Reinstall

In order to download your ArcGIS Pro software, you will need to have download permissions enabled for your myESRI user. Please consult your myESRI administrator. Locate your install file by logging into myESRI > MyOrganizations > Downloads > ArcGIS Pro > select ArcGIS Pro (the first file) and hit download.

Once downloaded it is as easy as running the file and following the bouncing ball.

For more detailed steps on the install workflow, read Installing ArcGIS Pro documentation.

Read more: Performing a clean uninstall of ArcGIS Pro