What's up with Google Earth?

[rgbecker]

I have/had Google Earth on this laptop for several years. It worked fine and I used it regularly to snoop around and measure distances etc. Suddenly, about 3 weeks ago it quit working...would not boot...nothing. Then tried to download it again etc. Nothing working.

I read that Google discontinued the support and program and there were others offering similar programs.

Is there anything to this or is it just my own problem? If I need another program which is best?

[CurtEastPoint]

1. I just launched it and it works fine. Here's what my 'About' screen says...

Google Earth
7.1.8.3036 (32-bit)
Build Date
1/17/2017
Build Time
12:38:00 am
Renderer
DirectX
Operating System
Microsoft Windows (6.2.9200.0)
Video Driver
Google Inc. (00009.00018.00013.03558)
Max Texture Size
16384x16384
available video memory
4095 MB
Server
kh.google.com

[Beartracks]

2. What browser are you using?

I thought I read somewhere recently that Google Earth was only going to be supported on Chrome going forward...

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[CurtEastPoint]

3. I don't think it's browser-based, is it?

[Beartracks]

7. Here we go...

From April 2017:

Google unveiled a redesigned version of Google Earth today which, unlike its predecessor, is a web application. While that sounds good on first glance, as you may run Google Earth now without having to install software or an application first, the new version is limited to Google Chrome currently on the desktop.

The desktop version of Google Earth is still offered on the official site though, so that non-Chrome users may download and use the application in its older form.

https://www.ghacks.net/2017/04/18/google-makes-the-new-google-earth-chrome-exclusive/


Okay so the new version is a Chrome app, but the desktop version *is* still available.

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[CurtEastPoint]

8. Got it. Thanks! I use Chrome.

[Golden Raisin]

4. They just put out a "major" (their terminology) update today.

[teach1st]

5. Assuming you're talking about the app and not web-based

I've had the Google Earth quit working thing happen before in Windows. There were a few ways I saw online to fix it, but the quickest was uninstall, reboot, reinstall.

Before you do that, search for the "myplaces.kml" file and copy it to a different folder. It's your settings file for Google Earth, and without backing it up, you'll have to start all over again with a new install.

If you need help with any of this, I'll follow up, but it won't be until tomorrow.

With a new install, it's good to get in the habit of clearing Google Earth's memory and cache once in a while, especially after heavy use. That can be done within the app, but CC Cleaner also helps.

[GeorgeGist]

6. This works for me in Chrome ...

https://earth.google.com/web/