The time has come. ArcGIS Desktop, including the beloved ArcMap, will officially retire on March 1, 2026. After decades of powering geospatial workflows across industries, this cornerstone GIS platform is reaching its end-of-life, marking a pivotal moment for organizations worldwide.
The retirement means Esri will cease development, updates, and technical support for the software, with only phone and chat support available until February 2026. For the millions of professionals still relying on ArcGIS Desktop, the message is clear: the transition to ArcGIS Pro and named user licensing is not just recommended—it’s inevitable.