# QGIS

Application: QGIS

Also called qgis desktop, quantum gis

QGIS, Creative

Desktop GIS. Shapefiles and GeoPackages live here. The process is qgis.exe. It is not Google Earth.

## What you need to know

QGIS is desktop GIS. It is not Google Earth.

qgis.exe opens shapefiles and GeoPackages. Earth Pro is a globe. Maps is a website.

- **What is it?**: Desktop GIS

  **Still current?**: Yes, see Current status

  **Official download?**: Use the vendor link in this article

Feex says

If the file is a shapefile, I open QGIS, not Google Earth Pro. qgis.exe is the desktop GIS.

## What is QGIS?

QGIS edits and analyzes vector and raster layers. Earth Pro spins a globe. A .shp plus .dbf plus .shx is a shapefile QGIS opens. Earth does not replace that.

## If you have never used it

If you need to open a shapefile or GeoPackage, QGIS is the free desktop GIS. Download it from qgis.org. Google Earth Pro is a globe viewer, not this analysis tool. Google Maps is a web map, not a desktop GIS.

## What is it used for?

**Shapefiles and GeoPackages**

The files GIS people email. Google Earth KML is a different, simpler path.

**Projections and analysis**

CRS, buffers, joins. Earth Pro is not a processing toolbox.

**Print layouts and maps**

Cartography from layers. A Maps screenshot is not a QGIS layout.

## Who is it for?

- Students in a GIS class
- People handed a .gpkg or shapefile
- Anyone who opened Earth and could not edit attributes

## Current status

QGIS (2002) is a current desktop gis from QGIS. The vendor still points Windows users at https://qgis.org/download/.

## How old is it?

QGIS (once Quantum GIS) has been around since 2002. Current 3.x releases are the Windows desktop app. ArcGIS is Esri's commercial sibling, not Earth.

## Versions

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

QGIS 3.x LTR

QGIS 3.x latest

## 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.

| qgis.exe     | Main Windows executable       |
| ------------ | ----------------------------- |
| qgis-bin.exe | Binary on some Windows builds |

## Startup components

QGIS does not need to start with Windows.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Program Files\QGIS \<version>\\ |
| --------------- | ---------------------------------- |

## File formats

SHP, GPKG, GEOTIFF, KML

## Common problems

### Opened the layer in Earth and lost attributes

KML is a down-convert. Stay in QGIS for the GeoPackage or shapefile.

### Missing .shx or .dbf next to a .shp

A shapefile is several files. QGIS will fail if the sidecar files are gone. Earth will not fix that.

## Getting unstuck

### Install from qgis.org/download

Standalone or OSGeo4W. Both are official. Skip "ArcGIS QGIS crack" packs.

### Set the layer CRS before you blame the install

Layers in the wrong projection look "broken" on the canvas. docs.qgis.org covers CRS.

### Use the Processing Toolbox, not Earth, for buffers

That is QGIS analysis. Earth Pro measurement is a different tool.

## Alternatives

Google Earth Pro is a globe. ArcGIS Pro is commercial GIS. Maps is not desktop GIS.

## Official help and downloads

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

| Download      | [qgis.org/download/ ](https://qgis.org/download/)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Help          | [docs.qgis.org/ ](https://docs.qgis.org/)Vendor support                            |
| Official site | [qgis.org/download/ ](https://qgis.org/download/)Start here, not a random exe host |

## Related hardware

Large rasters want RAM and disk. A discrete GPU helps the map canvas. Any current Windows PC QGIS lists will open small shapefiles.

## 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.

[Google Earth Pro: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/google-earth-pro)[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).

- [QGIS official site ](https://qgis.org/download/)· Vendor product page
- [QGIS help ](https://docs.qgis.org/)· 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**: QGIS

  **Category**: Desktop GIS

  **Process**: qgis.exe

  **License**: GPL

  **First released**: 2002

  **Official site**: [qgis.org/download](https://qgis.org/download/)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/qgis/)

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