idea Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

JesseTemplin2 — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 16:26:59 GMT

Software is never perfect. Providing the ability to install multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro side by side would allow users to test new versions without having to completely uninstall and reinstall each new version.

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

RandyCasey — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 16:17:15 GMT

To add further to this idea by @JesseTemplin2: because a lot of ArcGIS Enterprise functionality is dependent upon which version of Enterprise and ArcGIS Pro you have installed, having access to multiple versions is actually mission critical. For example, if you want to create (or migrate to) a parcel fabric in Enterprise, your versions of Enterprise and ArcGIS Pro must be compatible (see this documentation for Parcel Fabric versions Parcel fabric versions—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation), if either is out of sync, you will not be able to create and manage a new parcel fabric.

Upgrading versions of ArcGIS Pro is fairly simple and a relatively benign action, as it only affects the UX of the user on that machine. Conversely, upgrading an ArcGIS Enterprise environment can be very difficult, not to mention time consuming, and affects users across an entire organization, so typically Enterprise upgrades are not routine. In fact, I would surmise that many organizations only upgrade once a year, if that, and only after the first service pack has been released and has been production tested and found to be stable. For this reason alone, keeping your ArcGIS Pro and Enterprise versions in sync is not only difficult, but practically impossible.

For Enterprise managers like myself, we have to always keep a version of ArcGIS Pro that is compatible with our current version of Enterprise. That means we have to have a spare machine handy to host a downgraded version, or worse, have a downgraded version on one of our servers in the stack, which is not the best environment for running ArcGIS Pro, especially if your servers tend to be busy.

Please consider this idea not only for the important use described by @JesseTemplin2 but also for Enterprise functionality that GIS Managers need.

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

HarryZon — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 16:04:06 GMT

nice

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

JesseTemplin2 — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 19:40:05 GMT

Thanks for the additional perspective @RandyCasey. I don't have any experience with ArcGIS Enterprise. I agree that upgrading is fairly simple, but chasing down a bug introduced in a new version takes significantly more time when having to repeatedly uninstall, reinstall, clone the python environment, install packages, etc. It doesn't happen often, but having multiple version on hand would save time when it does.

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

RobertBorchert — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 13:24:53 GMT

We have worked around it by setting up multiple virtual machines with older versions of ArcMap and Pro on them.

Our core machines are all on the same version and we (5 of us) all upgrade when our Project Manager says it is ok to do so. We don't want someone getting ahead or our core apps.

However, we often do work for partner cooperatives and often they are not up to current.

The virtual machines work pretty slick. We have three of them. So we are able to work in 3 different versions when required.

It is not always possible for a company to have all machines running the same version.

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

Anish_Adhikari — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 23:19:11 GMT

It would be really nice to have this option for us. I work for utility industry and because of the integration with third party ArcGIS Pro plugin, we cannot upgrade to the latest version of Pro due to compatibility issues with the plugin. However there are lots of people who do not need to use that tool at all and they can be on the latest version of Pro.

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

ThomasHoman — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 15:10:02 GMT

Just to keep this idea alive. We are running into similar problems as others and our concern relates to public safety/911. We have vendors that have not yet moved off of 2.9 so we are held back by the least advanced package. Having the ability to run differing versions would be very helpful.

Install Multiple Versions of ArcGIS Pro on the same machine

BrianKratcha1 — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 14:45:51 GMT

I will like to be able to install multiple different versions of ArcGIS Pro on the same machine without having to install a 2nd operating system. This would be very useful when working with multiple different clients.

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

leahmaps — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 15:27:24 GMT

Adding to this, I am attending the GIS for Climate Action MOOC.

If I want to continue the course, I must upgrade to 3.2. However, my organization is not yet ready to upgrade to 3.2. This makes it frustrating as I have two things I want to do, but I would need two versions of pro.

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

Chris_976 — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 06:24:46 GMT

Hello!

Adding to all that has been said before, my organization manages two different ArcGIS Enterprise environments which, for governance and financial reasons, run on different versions (10.8.1 and 11.1) thus we are required, according to best practices, to use the versions 2.6 and 3.1 of AGP depending on the portal we need to work with. Therefore, it is essential to be able to use either one or the other version without having to deal with virtual environments or connecting to a remote server.

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

SimonSchütte_ct — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 07:53:06 GMT

The issue is with the different python dependencies I think.
If you do not rely on python to work properly with ArcGIS Pro, here is a dirty hack that worked last time I tried it: (at your own risk)
Uninstall the latest version of ArcGIS Pro. Install the old version of ArcGIS Pro. Copy the install folder to a new directory. Update your ArcGIS Pro to the latest version. Now you can use the latest version as usual and keep it up to date. The old version can be started by navigating to the ArcGIS Pro executable in the old copied folder.

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

J_Nimmo — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 22:54:20 GMT

Impressed that @SimonSchütte_ct 's workaround for this (frankly rather significant) problem works. It's frustrating that Python versions are apparently the issue here- one would think that this could be addressed by installing per-ArcGIS Pro major version Python directories.

A workaround I have found is to use the 'Sandboxie' program (Sandboxie Classic works, Sandboxie Plus may make it easier to manage). Without ArcGIS Pro installed (having had it installed previously shouldn't be an issue), you set up a new sandbox, install the version ArcGIS Pro you need, required patches, and any required plugins from external vendors into that (this can be done by running the .msi's and .msp's with 'msiexec' from the Sandboxie interface). After this is done you could either install the latest version in its own sandbox, or, just straight on into the normal Windows machine.

The primary advantage to doing things this way, over running ArcGIS Pro in a VM is that GPU access will be conducted directly as with running it 'raw', rather than a GPU being emulated (slow) or having to have expensive cloud costs or do GPU passthrough with the attached virtual desktop infrastructure, server GPUs and Nvidia GRID licensing etc. Disadvantages are that if one needs to install these versions onto multiple machines throughout an enterprise, it's going to be more difficult than just serving up a virtual desktop or virtual application that's installed in one place (though it should be possible with the appropriate use of the command line tools), and that Sandboxie is, effectively, security software, and like other security software may have incompatibilities with other security software installed on your system (though I've noticed no issues with Microsoft Defender).

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

MollyMoore — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 15:09:11 GMT

This would be incredibly useful for our organization as well for all the reasons already listed here. We work with vendors who still need Pro projects delivered in v2.9. We also have run into the Enterprise/Pro versioning issues.

Provide containerised install options for Pro

RTPL_AU — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 22:46:33 GMT

It seems like every version of Pro has a distinct show stopper bug for me at the moment.
Due to the inefficient way of migrating between versions, people appear to stop with a least-evil version and wait it out until there is a new feature they cannot live without.

Please provide Pro as a containerised / packaged version so that multiple versions can be available to a user.

Look at the Linux Flatpack / Snap / etc model for inspiration. (Not saying they're perfect LOL)

I understand the limitations and caveats of having different versions but, in my case it will allow me to do my editing in 3.2 (which was fine for that for me) and do the layouts in 3.3.

This will supersede other ideas that revolve around pinning versions, making installing an older version easier, etc. as I've now come to the conclusion that, to be productive, we need a couple of versions running side by side.

I don't want to dive into the high-performant gpu accelerated VM world to achieve the same.... For one person...

Re: Provide containerised install options for Pro

SimonSchütte_ct — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 05:42:18 GMT

I agree, having a containerised deployment option would be great!

Here is are two workarounds that may work for you in the meantime: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installe... - Esri Community
Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installe... - Page 2 - Esri Community

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

RTPL_AU — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 23:34:41 GMT

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

MarkGo — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 15:57:13 GMT

@RTPL_AU Looks like that idea was rolled up into this one.

Bumping this thread - we're experiencing version incompatibility issues that are complicating our troubleshooting process. We're having to install various versions of Pro on server machines that don't currently have the software, since our other systems have already been upgraded to newer versions.

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

ThomasHoman — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 14:24:35 GMT

@MarkGo I'm right there with you on the server installations. I have 2 vendors that cannot keep up with esri's update cadence so have to continue to run a Pro 2.9 and Map 10.8 instance to work with their tools.

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

RTPL_AU — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 01:00:52 GMT

@ThomasHoman
Sounds like you could be a candidate for this Idea. Please upvote if you agree:
https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-ideas/change-pro-development-to-use-a-more-conservative/idi-p/1547856

Re: Allow for multiple versions of ArcGIS Pro installed on one system

ThomasHoman — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 11:59:24 GMT

@RTPL_AU Already done my friend.