There are two flavors of ArcGIS Explorer: a web-based application and a Windows desktop application.
ArcGIS Explorer Online is a browser-based tool that relies on the Microsoft Silverlight plugin to present users on Windows and Macintosh a rich, interactive mapping experience online. Users can make and save maps, and build and share presentations, all online. This is a great tool for users who seek a free web-based tool with more power than the basic ArcGIS.com MapViewer.
ArcGIS Explorer Desktop is software to be downloaded and installed on computers running Windows (XP and later). It allows display of a vast array of geographic data, from online sources such as ArcGIS Online or from local hard drives. ArcGIS Explorer Desktop can display content in either 2-D or 3-D, and supports building rich geographic presentations. This is a great free tool for users seeking a balance between the ease of web-based mapping and the power of full desktop GIS. Download ArcGIS Explorer Desktop now.