Google Earth Pro

ApplicationGoogle LLC

Also called earth pro, google earth desktop

Google LLCCreative

Desktop globe. Pro became free. The web client is a different product. The process is googleearth.exe. It is not Google Maps.

What you need to know

Earth Pro is the desktop globe. It is not Google Maps.

googleearth.exe is Earth Pro, now free. Maps is the web map. QGIS is GIS. The Earth web client is another product.

What is it?: Desktop globe
Still current?: Yes, see Current status
Official download?: Use the vendor link in this article

Feex says

If someone said "open it in Google Maps," that is a browser. googleearth.exe is Earth Pro. QGIS is where I take a shapefile.

What is Google Earth Pro?

Google Earth Pro is the Windows globe (googleearth.exe). Maps is maps.google.com. Earth on the web is another client. QGIS edits shapefiles this app does not treat as a GIS project.

If you have never used it

If you want the desktop globe with KML and movie tools, install Earth Pro from Google's Earth versions page. It is free now. Maps in a browser is a different product. The web Earth client is also different. QGIS is desktop GIS, not this globe.

What is it used for?

Explore imagery and terrain

The 3D globe. Maps street view is a different product.

KML and KMZ

Placemarks and tours. A shapefile still belongs in QGIS first.

Pro measurement and movie tools

The reason Pro still exists as a desktop SKU. The web client does not match every Pro tool.

Who is it for?

People who want the desktop globe
Users with a KML they were told to "open in Earth"
Anyone who confused this with Maps

Current status

Google Earth Pro (2001) is a current desktop globe from Google LLC. The vendor still points Windows users at https://www.google.com/earth/about/versions/.

How old is it?

Keyhole / Earth dates to 2001. Earth Pro was a paid SKU, then Google made Pro free. The old paid license key era is over. Maps never was this exe.

Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

Earth Pro (desktop, free)

Earth for web (different client)

System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

Minimum

Minimum system requirements
Operating system	A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per the vendor
RAM	Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more.

Resource profile

CPU demand: Follows what you open inside the app
RAM demand: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries

Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

Installed processes
googleearth.exe	Main Windows executable

Startup components

Earth Pro does not need to start with Windows.

File locations

Common Google Earth Pro locations
Typical install	C:\Program Files\Google\Google Earth Pro\

File formats

KMLKMZ

Common problems

Used Maps and lost KML tools

Install Earth Pro. Maps is not this desktop app.

Expected QGIS analysis

Buffers and attribute tables live in QGIS. Earth is a globe.

Getting unstuck

Install Pro from google.com/earth/about/versions

Pick Earth Pro for Windows. The web client will not put googleearth.exe on disk.

Open KML from File in Earth Pro

A Maps "My Maps" export may still need Pro for tours. QGIS can import KML too, as GIS.

Do not hunt a paid Pro key from 2014

Pro is free. Stale key sites are bait.

Alternatives

Earth for web is Google's other client. Maps is turn-by-turn and local search. QGIS is desktop GIS.

Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

Official contacts
Download	www.google.com/earth/about/versions/ Official installer or vendor page
Help	support.google.com/earth Vendor support
Official site	www.google.com/earth/about/versions/ Start here, not a random exe host

Related hardware

The globe uses the GPU for terrain. A working display driver matters. This is not a GIS workstation requirement list.

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

Google Earth Pro official site · Vendor product page
Google Earth Pro help · Vendor support
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.