Windows 11/10 offers Maps application which help users to search places and get directions. The Maps application is a universal first-party Windows application by Microsoft. Windows Phone has been having support for offline maps for quite a long time in collaboration with HERE Maps. The same Maps apps with various improvements have been made upon, and Microsoft has succeeded in delivering the universal Windows Maps app which even works for PC.
Windows 11/10 provides the ability to download offline maps, which can be used for later use when there is no internet connection – This helps one to access maps and get directions without the worry of connectivity, a very useful tool for travelers to find directions.
How to download offline Maps on Windows 11?
The procedure to download offline maps has totally changed in Windows 11. Earlier, these maps were considered to be essential and were thus under the System menu. However, now Microsoft shifted this option to the Apps section. The procedure to download offline maps on Windows 11 is as follows:
- Right-click on the Start button
- Select Settings from the menu.
- In the Settings menu, select Apps on the list on the left-hand side.
- Then click on Offline maps in the right-pane.
- The first option is Maps. Corresponding to it, select Download maps.
- Expand the list of continents and select Download corresponding to the country for which you want the map.
Download Offline Maps on Windows 10
To get started with offline maps, click the “Settings” option under start menu as shown below:
Choose the “System” option, the first option in Settings Panel.
Under System settings, choose “Offline Maps”. In the right side of the panel, you can see lot of map related options. Under the Maps section click on “Download maps” option.
This displays different continents around the world. In this example, we are choosing Asia. You can choose your desired continent to proceed.
Now choose the country for which you want the map for. You can also choose more than one country by using the multi-select option present in the bottom bar. Remember, downloading maps data for whole continent could be very bulky and may shoot up your internet bill if you are on a limited plan. So choose the region wisely depending on your requirement.
A particular region/state can be selected, if it is available.
In our case, we selected 4 regions by using the multi-select option and clicked on “download” button present in the bottom bar. Upon clicking, the selected maps data will be downloaded one by one. Please be patient until all your maps complete downloading.
Using Maps in Offline mode in Window 11/10
Once you have downloaded the required maps by following the above steps, you will have complete access to these maps even when you are offline. Launch the in-built Maps application on your Windows 10 PC which is listed in Start menu or simply search for “Maps” using the search bar.
The Maps application loaded with pre-downloaded maps will be able to provide all place details, directions for the queries which you make in particular region/city/state/country.
You can start using the navigation feature within the app which provides turn-by-turn directions until you reach your destination without a needing a data connection.
Updating Maps in Windows 11/10
By default, all the available downloaded maps will be updated regularly. The automatic updates to Maps happen whenever your device is plugged in and when there is an unmetered data connection. You can turn off the automatic updates to maps under “Offline Maps” in System settings.
Why do we need to download maps? Who needs to download maps?
A lot of apps use maps. Many of them need to access maps through Microsoft. While Microsoft has options to access the same online, but if the computer is not connected to the internet, the downloaded maps can be used.
Since most systems are almost always online these days, only a specific set of users use downloaded maps. Nonetheless, it is excellent of for those who are needful of the same.
How else can we access Microsoft’s maps? How are they in comparison to Google Maps?
Interestingly, Microsoft Maps are less known, but more up to the point in comparison to Google Maps. They can be accessed from bing.com/maps. In comparison to Google Maps, they are way less commercialized. You won’t find Uber and Oyo popping up as you search for your favored location.
Let us know you like using Maps in Windows 11/10.
