The Desktop Administrator

The Desktop Administrator provides details about your installation, ArcGIS configuration and license manager.  This tool is only installed with the ArcGIS software (ArcInfo, ArcEditor or ArcView).

NOTE: The Desktop Administrator is only available for the Windows platforms (unavailable for UNIX).  

The Desktop Administrator is located at Start > Programs > ArcGIS > Desktop Administrator.

The Desktop Administrator provides the following services:

  1. You may switch between the ArcGIS software products that you have installed and are licensed for: ArcInfo, ArcEditor, ArcView (Floating) and ArcView (Single Use).  

  2. For the floating software products, you may change the license manager you are currently using if another license manager is available. Using the Desktop Administrator to switch license managers will change the license manager for ArcGIS Desktop and ArcInfo Workstation software products.

  3. You may view the license status of the license manager you are currently using. This status includes:

To switch between software product types:

  1. Close any ArcGIS applications you have open.

  2. Go to Start > Programs > ArcGIS > Desktop Administrator and click on the Software Product folder.  

  3. In the main dialog box, select the software product you would like to use for your ArcGIS applications. As long as you have a valid and available license for these software products, you will be able to switch between them as often as you like.

  4. Click OK to close the Desktop Administrator and apply your changes.

NOTE: If ArcView Single Use is disabled, you will need to run the ArcView (Single Use) setup program.  As long as you have a valid and available license or ArcView Single Use registration for these software products you will be able to switch between them as often as you like.

To switch to a different license manager:

Note: Switching your license manager will change the license manager for both Desktop and Workstation ArcGIS software products.

  1. Close any ArcGIS applications you have open.

  2. Go to Start > Programs > ArcGIS > Desktop Administrator and click on the License Manager folder and select Change.  

  3. Type in the name of the license manager you wish to use or click the Browse button. The name of the license manager is the same as the host name of the machine where the license manager is installed.  (Note: You do not need to prefix the name with ‘@’ or ‘\\’).

  4. Click OK on the Change License Manager dialog.

  5. Click OK to close the Desktop Administrator and apply your changes.

You do not need to reboot or to stop/start/reread your license manager.

To view the status of the license manager you are currently using:

  1. Close any ArcGIS applications you have open.

  2. Go to Start > Programs > ArcGIS > Desktop Administrator and click on the License Manager folder and select Availability.

  3. You may view license information by software product.  Choose a software product and the available license information will be displayed.