Perform a soft ArcGIS Desktop reset

Summary

Issues related to application profile failure and applications crashing can occur in ArcGIS Desktop if the registry entry is corrupted. Performing a soft reset resolves the issue by closing applications and clearing data in the RAM, in contrast to a hard reset, where user data are removed, and the device is restored to its factory settings.

This article describes how to perform a soft ArcGIS Desktop reset.

Note:
ArcMap has been retired as of March 1, 2026. There are no plans for future releases of ArcMap, and migration to ArcGIS Pro is recommended. Refer to ArcGIS Desktop is retired for more information.

Procedure

Perform a soft reset by renaming the roaming and local profiles, and editing the Windows registry for ArcGIS Desktop applications.

Note:
If there are concurrent licenses on the machine, return the borrowed licenses before performing the workarounds below. For more information on borrowed licenses, refer to ArcMap: Borrowing and returning concurrent use licenses.

Rename the roaming and local profiles

Note: 
The AppData folder is hidden. To display hidden folders, refer to Microsoft Windows Support: Show hidden files.

1. Close all ArcGIS applications.
2. Navigate to the AppData folder.

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData

3. Navigate to the Roaming and Local profiles.
4. Navigate to the Esri folders.
5. Rename the Desktop10.x folders to Desktop10.x_old in the Esri folders. In this example, Desktop10.7.

• Roaming profile:

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\ESRI\Desktop10.7

• Local profile:

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\ESRI\Desktop10.7

Make edits in the Registry Editor

Warning:    
Editing the Windows registry requires administrator privileges on the machine and must only be done as a last resort. Perform a backup of the registry or machine before proceeding with the steps below. Consult a qualified computer systems professional, if necessary. Esri is not liable for incorrect modifications following these instructions. User discretion is advised.

1. Open the Windows Start Menu.
2. In the search bar, type regedit and press Enter. If prompted, click Yes in the User Account Control window.

3. In the Registry Editor window, expand the HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder.
4. Expand the Software folder.
5. Expand the ESRI folder.
6. Right-click the Desktop10.7 folder, and rename the folder to Desktop10.7_old.

7. Restart the machine.

A new Desktop10.7 folder is created when the ArcGIS Desktop application is launched.