Perform a clean uninstall and reinstall of ArcGIS Pro

Summary

This article walks through the process of removing remnant files and registry keys that might be left over from a corrupt install or incomplete uninstall of ArcGIS Pro.

Corrupt installs of ArcGIS Pro may cause an incomplete software uninstall from the system when using the Windows Control Panel, and may also cause issues with operating the software or installing the software after uninstalling it previously.

Note:
Before proceeding with a clean uninstall and reinstall, problems with the Windows profile should first be ruled out by having another user log into the computer and see if the problem is reproducible under another user’s login.  If the problem CANNOT be reproduced by another user on the same machine, a clean uninstall is unlikely to help, and the Windows user profile should be reset or replaced instead.  This is a system issue and IT staff should be able to accomplish this task.  If the customer doesn’t have IT staff available, there are instructions for this process on the Microsoft website. If another user CAN reproduce the problem, this indicates a problem with the software and a clean uninstall can be pursued.

Procedure

Warning:
The instructions below include making changes to essential parts of your operating system. It is recommended that you backup your operating system and files, including the Registry, before proceeding. Consult with a qualified computer systems professional, if necessary.
Esri cannot guarantee results from incorrect modifications while following these instructions; therefore, use caution and proceed at your own risk.

1. Check to make sure that the license isn’t checked out to work offline.  Open "Registry Editor" and expand the “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ESRI” folder in the folder tree.
   1. Look in the ArcGISPro\Licensing and ArcGISPro1.0\Licensing folders and make sure that the ARCPROWORKOFFLINE key value is FALSE.
   2. If the value is FALSE, proceed to the next steps.  If the value is TRUE, log in to ArcGIS Pro and make sure that the license is not checked out to work offline, then proceed.
2. Close the ArcGIS Pro application if it is open.
3. Run the uninstall for your Esri product via Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. Select your ArcGIS Pro product, right-click the item, select Uninstall/Change and follow the prompts choosing to remove the software.  Uninstall ArcGIS Pro and any related extensions such as Data Interoperability.
4. Ensure that all ArcGIS Pro processes are not running in the Task Manager. These are usually the following:
   • ArcGISCleanup.exe
   • ArcGISPro.exe
5. Rename the following folders, if they still exist, by appending "_OLD" to the end of the folder name:
   • C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\ESRI\ArcGISPro and any other Pro folders

Note:
• Rename the ArcGISPro folders to ArcGISPro_old rather than deleting the folders to preserve a backup.
• The AppData folder is hidden by default. For more information, refer to: Microsoft Support: Show hidden files

• • C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\ESRI\ArcGISPro

Note:
Favorites are also stored in the ...\AppData\Roaming\... directory.  Deleting or renaming this folder will cause Favorites to be reset.  For more information, refer to: Use project favorites

• • C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro
  • C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\ArcGIS\ArcGIS Pro

6. Rename the following registry keys, if they exist, by appending "_OLD" to the registry key Name:

Warning:
Use caution, do not to modify anything in the Windows Registry except for the entries indicated below. The integrity of the operating system can be seriously damaged by modifying the incorrect entries.

• • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ESRI\ArcGIS Online For Pro
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ESRI\ArcGISPro
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ESRI\ArcGISPro1.0

7. Reboot the system, and run the install of ArcGIS Pro. This should allow you to install the software as new.