# Google Earth Pro Application: Google LLC Also called earth pro, google earth desktop Google LLC, Creative 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 | 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. | googleearth.exe | Main Windows executable | | --------------- | ----------------------- | ## Startup components Earth Pro does not need to start with Windows. ## File locations | Typical install | C:\Program Files\Google\Google Earth Pro\\ | | --------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ## File formats KML, KMZ ## 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. | Download | [www.google.com/earth/about/versions/ ](https://www.google.com/earth/about/versions/)Official installer or vendor page | | ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Help | [support.google.com/earth ](https://support.google.com/earth)Vendor support | | Official site | [www.google.com/earth/about/versions/ ](https://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 Technical details Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build. ## Related These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link. [QGIS: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/qgis)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager) ## Sources and verification Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research). - [Google Earth Pro official site ](https://www.google.com/earth/about/versions/)· Vendor product page - [Google Earth Pro help ](https://support.google.com/earth)· Vendor support - [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· 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. Quick facts The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article. - **Developer**: Google LLC **Category**: Desktop globe **Process**: googleearth.exe **License**: Free desktop app **First released**: 2001 **Official site**: [google.com/earth/about/versions](https://www.google.com/earth/about/versions/) **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026 --- Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/google-earth-pro/) [Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)