How to Install Google Earth

Check that your computer meets the requirements., Visit the Google Earth website., Click the "Google Earth" link., Click the Desktop option., Click the "Download Google Earth" button., Read and agree to the Terms of Service., Click "Agree and...

9 Steps 3 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Check that your computer meets the requirements.

    In order to run properly, Google Earth requires a minimum level of computer hardware, and recommends slightly more powerful hardware.

    That said, most modern computers should be able to run it with little issue.

    Below are the recommended specs for best performance:
    Windows:
    OS:
    Windows 7 or 8 CPU:
    Pentium 4
    2.4GHz+ RAM: 1GB+ Hard Disk Free: 2GB+ Internet Speed: 768 Kbps Graphics Card:
    DX9 256MB+ Display: 1280x1024+, 32-bit Mac OS X:
    OS:
    OS X
    10.6.8+ CPU:
    Dual Core Intel RAM: 1GB+ Hard Disk Free: 2GB+ Internet Speed: 768 Kbps Graphics Card:
    DX9 256MB+ Display: 1280x1024+, Millions of Colors Linux:
    Kernel
    2.6+ glibc
    2.3.5 w/ NPTL or later x.org R6.7 or later RAM: 1GB+ Hard Disk Free: 2GB+ Internet Speed: 768 Kbps Graphics Card:
    DX9 256MB+ Display: 1280x1024+, 32-bit Google Earth is officially supported on Ubuntu
  2. Step 2: Visit the Google Earth website.

    You can download Google Earth for free from Google's website.

    When you visit the Google Earth website, you will be greeted with the message "Hello, Earth" as well as a random image from Google Maps. , In the center of the page, there will be two options:
    Google Earth and Google Earth Pro.

    Standard Google Earth is free for everyone.

    The Pro version costs money, but contains more tools for marketers and business planners. , This will take you to the "Google Earth for Desktop" page.

    Note that this version works for laptops as well; "Desktop" refers to desktop applications instead of browser-based applications. , This is located in the lower-right corner of the collage on the Google Earth for Desktop page. , Before you are able to download, you will need to read the policy.

    Downloading the program means that you agree to both the Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy. , The installation program will be downloaded to your computer.

    Depending on your browser settings, you may need to accept the download before it begins.

    The correct installer for your operating system will automatically be downloaded. , Once the setup file has finished downloading, install the program to access it:
    Windows
    - Double-click the downloaded setup file.

    The program will connect to the Google Earth server and download a few necessary files.

    After a moment, Google Earth will install itself and then start immediately.

    You do not need to set any options during the installation process.

    Mac
    - Double-click the .dmg file that was downloaded to your computer.

    This will open a new folder that contains the Google Earth application.

    Drag this icon into your Applications folder.

    You can now run Google Earth by clicking the icon in your Applications folder.

    Ubuntu Linux
    - Open the Terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T), type sudo apt-get install lsb-core, and press ↵ Enter.

    After the lsb-core package finishes installing (or is already installed), double-click the .deb file that was downloaded from the Google Earth website.

    Google Earth will be installed and you can find it in Applications → Internet., Once you've got it installed, you can start using Google Earth.

    When you start it for the first time, a window with tips and guides will appear.

    Feel free to read these or just dive in.

    You can sign in with your Google account to link with your saved maps and location.
  3. Step 3: Click the "Google Earth" link.

  4. Step 4: Click the Desktop option.

  5. Step 5: Click the "Download Google Earth" button.

  6. Step 6: Read and agree to the Terms of Service.

  7. Step 7: Click "Agree and Download".

  8. Step 8: Install Google Earth.

  9. Step 9: Start using Google Earth.

Detailed Guide

In order to run properly, Google Earth requires a minimum level of computer hardware, and recommends slightly more powerful hardware.

That said, most modern computers should be able to run it with little issue.

Below are the recommended specs for best performance:
Windows:
OS:
Windows 7 or 8 CPU:
Pentium 4
2.4GHz+ RAM: 1GB+ Hard Disk Free: 2GB+ Internet Speed: 768 Kbps Graphics Card:
DX9 256MB+ Display: 1280x1024+, 32-bit Mac OS X:
OS:
OS X
10.6.8+ CPU:
Dual Core Intel RAM: 1GB+ Hard Disk Free: 2GB+ Internet Speed: 768 Kbps Graphics Card:
DX9 256MB+ Display: 1280x1024+, Millions of Colors Linux:
Kernel
2.6+ glibc
2.3.5 w/ NPTL or later x.org R6.7 or later RAM: 1GB+ Hard Disk Free: 2GB+ Internet Speed: 768 Kbps Graphics Card:
DX9 256MB+ Display: 1280x1024+, 32-bit Google Earth is officially supported on Ubuntu

You can download Google Earth for free from Google's website.

When you visit the Google Earth website, you will be greeted with the message "Hello, Earth" as well as a random image from Google Maps. , In the center of the page, there will be two options:
Google Earth and Google Earth Pro.

Standard Google Earth is free for everyone.

The Pro version costs money, but contains more tools for marketers and business planners. , This will take you to the "Google Earth for Desktop" page.

Note that this version works for laptops as well; "Desktop" refers to desktop applications instead of browser-based applications. , This is located in the lower-right corner of the collage on the Google Earth for Desktop page. , Before you are able to download, you will need to read the policy.

Downloading the program means that you agree to both the Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy. , The installation program will be downloaded to your computer.

Depending on your browser settings, you may need to accept the download before it begins.

The correct installer for your operating system will automatically be downloaded. , Once the setup file has finished downloading, install the program to access it:
Windows
- Double-click the downloaded setup file.

The program will connect to the Google Earth server and download a few necessary files.

After a moment, Google Earth will install itself and then start immediately.

You do not need to set any options during the installation process.

Mac
- Double-click the .dmg file that was downloaded to your computer.

This will open a new folder that contains the Google Earth application.

Drag this icon into your Applications folder.

You can now run Google Earth by clicking the icon in your Applications folder.

Ubuntu Linux
- Open the Terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T), type sudo apt-get install lsb-core, and press ↵ Enter.

After the lsb-core package finishes installing (or is already installed), double-click the .deb file that was downloaded from the Google Earth website.

Google Earth will be installed and you can find it in Applications → Internet., Once you've got it installed, you can start using Google Earth.

When you start it for the first time, a window with tips and guides will appear.

Feel free to read these or just dive in.

You can sign in with your Google account to link with your saved maps and location.

About the Author

M

Michael Lee

Enthusiastic about teaching hobbies techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.

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