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Offline Maps from Settings

Anonymous
2025-03-06T07:45:38+00:00

I have downloaded maps in Windows11 through Settings>Apps>Offline maps, and I have searched in vain for an app/program through which I can view them. Questions:

1 . Settings etc tells me they have been downloaded but I can't find them on my hard drive;;- -where might they be downloaded to? (do not appear in Downloads)

  1. What software/app can I use to open them so I can view them offline, assuming I can find them on the harddrive. as MS maps can't read them now - I can't find a suitable app in my searches to date

Thank you, Chris

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-03-07T11:20:17+00:00

    I noticed that you clicked "Not Helpful" for my answer. The storage location of offline maps is indeed "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\MapData". The reason why you can't see the folder is that you haven't turned on "Show Hidden Folders". Click "View"-"Show"-"Hidden Items" in the Explorer menu bar. Select "Hidden Items" and then you can see the "ProgramData" folder. Even if you don't turn on this option, you can copy the path of the folder to the address bar above and press "enter" to access the folder.

    Now I understand your purpose, although you can view offline maps by installing the old version of the map and changing the system time to 2023. But as the software prompts, this offline map was updated at the end of 2023 and is no longer accurate, and cannot meet your needs for such a long journey. I'm sorry that I didn't know your purpose at the beginning and didn't tell you this information at the first time.

    If you want to make such a long journey. I recommend you to use Bing Maps, or other more professional map providers. And it's better to use online maps, because offline maps may not be updated in time, causing delays in your trip. I understand that you may be concerned about the lack of network signal. You can find a provider that provides offline maps and download an offline map in case the network signal is lost.

    If you encounter any problems when using your computer, you are welcome to post in this forum for help at any time. If you found my answer helpful, I wish you could mark it as helpful. This will help others in the community who are experiencing the same problem as you to find a solution better. Thank you for your community feedback and for helping us build a better community.

    Best regards

    Raylan-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-03-07T09:16:14+00:00

    Hi Raylan,

    Many thanks for your suggestions but unfortunately both drew blanks

    1. I am using Windows 11 and on C dive I don't have a Program Data folder (at the first level) only a Program Files folder and another named Program Files (x86). The only Microsoft folder is in Program Files (x86) and it does not contain a Map Data folder, only 4 Edge folders and a Temp. Also neither of the Program Files folders contains a Program Data folder. So I still can't find the downloaded maps.
    2. I had already downloaded the Windows Map App, so I tried it again offline and hovered the cursor over the map I had downloaded - it didn't open the map and advised me to go online. Also the Map App has the following statement as a banner "By the end of 2023 offline maps will no longer be available in the Map app. After that date you will no longer be able to view offline maps in the app"

    2 was the main reason for my original query, and I have been looking for a way to open the downloaded Windows maps offline -something I think should be possible, but I am stumped so far.

    We will be travelling soon from Australia to UK to attend a family wedding and the doing some touring, so I want to be able to access good maps offline

    Maybe I am doing something wrong, heading in the wrong direction or perhaps the systems are not functioning as I imagine they should - I am rather perplexed and frustrated.

    I would be most interested in your response and hope you can help me resolve this dilemma.

    BTW, I am using a Dell Latitude 7200 tablet that has been recently updated with Windows 11. I am a committed MS Windows user and chose my tablet in preference to Android - but I am having troubles, especially in relation to our forthcoming travels and hopeful use of the tablet

    Many thanks once again,

    Chris

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-07T03:37:26+00:00

    Hi Chris Penna1.

    Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

    You have some questions about using offline maps. Let me answer them for you.

    1. The default storage location for offline maps is:

    C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\MapData

    You can change the drive letter for offline map storage through the drop-down menu on the offline map download settings page.

    1. You can load offline maps through Windows Map. You don't need to import maps manually. When the network is not connected, the application will automatically read offline maps. Usually the application is installed with Windows. If the software is not on your computer, you can download the application from the following website: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9wzdncrdtbvb

    I hope this can solve your questions.

    Best Regards,

    Raylan-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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