Windows 11 offers a Maps app that lets you pinpoint and navigate to your favorite locations. While using the Maps app with an active internet connection provides the best experience, Windows 11 allows you to download maps and use them offline. If you're traveling to a location where your internet connection may be unreliable, offline maps can be useful. In this post, we'll share how to download and use offline maps in Windows 11.
How to download maps for offline use
To use offline maps on Windows, you'll first need to download a map of a country or region. You can easily do this via Apply Settings on WindowsHere's how.
Step 1: Right click Start button and select "Settings" from the list.
Step 2: Switch to Applications tab on your left and click Offline maps.
Step 3: Click Download maps button above.
Step 4: On the next page, you will see a list of continents. Click continent To view List of available maps.
Step 5: You will see a list of countries where it is available. Offline map Internet download size. Click Download button Next to the country name to bring up the map.
You will see Region Selection Button For some countries instead of "to download". In this case, you will get Option to download a map of a specific area In that country rather than the entire country.
Windows saves all offline maps to the primary drive where the system files are located. However, you can always change Default download location By accessing the drop-down menu next to the storage location.
How to locate nearby places and navigate using offline maps
After downloading a map of your country or region, you can use it without an active internet connection. Here's how.
Locate nearby places in offline maps
Step 1: Click on Windows key + S To open Search menu. Write Maps In the search box, select First result that appear.
Step 2: in Maps application , use Search tool In the upper left corner to select Location of a city or place On your downloaded map.
Step 3: After determining the location, you can Zoom in and out To view Nearby places or cities.
Step 4: you may View contact information For popular places like colleges, restaurants, and shopping malls, click on them and then use direction button To go to this site.
Find directions on offline maps
In addition to selecting nearby locations, you can also switch to the "Directions" tab in the upper left corner to navigate to a specific location. Enter your starting point and destination in the available text boxes and click "Get Directions."
As you do this, the Maps app will display several route options. Tap the one you want to use to view step-by-step directions, then tap the "Go" button to begin navigating.
This is what the navigation interface will look like when you are offline.
Offline maps limitations
Of course, offline maps have their limitations. For example, you can't access Ariel view or retrieve transit information when you're offline. Furthermore, maps won't display relevant traffic information while you're navigating. Therefore, the estimated time of arrival (ETA) shown by the map may not be accurate.
If you try to access a feature that isn't available offline, Maps will display a pop-up window saying, "You need an internet connection to do this."
How to update or delete offline maps
The Settings app on Windows lets you update or delete your offline maps according to your needs. Here's how to access these options.
Update offline maps
You can update offline maps manually or configure them to update automatically over Wi-Fi. Here's how.
Step 1: Open Search menu , And type Manage map updates and select First result that appear.
Step 2: Click Map updates to expand it.
Step 3: Check the box that reads “Update automatically when connected and on Wi-Fi” to enable Automatic map updates Offline.
Alternatively, you can use Check Now button To fetch updates manually.
Delete offline maps
Offline maps are large and take up space on your computer's hard drive. You can delete a downloaded map to free up storage space. Here's how.
Step 1: Open Search menu , And type Delete maps Downloaded, click on Enter.
Step 2: tap on trash icon Next to the map you want to remove.
Alternatively, you can also use the Delete All button to remove all offline maps at once.
Navigate without internet
Despite their limitations, offline maps are extremely useful. Additionally, the overall process of downloading and using offline maps on Windows is very simple. However, if you prefer navigating using your phone, you can always use Offline Maps feature in Google MapsWe hope the steps above were sufficient for learning how to use offline maps in Windows 11? Share with us in the comments below.
