For user who wants or tries to download Google Earth setup installer from official Google Earth website (http://earth.google.com), the installation executable file that is been downloaded is for Google Updater instead, after user clicks on “Download Google Earth” (current version 4.3) and “Agree (Terms and Conditions) and Download” buttons.

Download Google Earth
Download Google Earth is not what it means to be.

Google Earth has been included as part of Google Pack, which has Google Updater as one of its core program. Google Update is a memory-resident and sit on system tray (notification area) application program that downloads and installs all the software selected in the Google Pack, beside monitoring the status (check for new version) of installed software, run software that’s been installed, or uninstall software.

Most people who needs Google Earth does not require or like Google Updater to automatically install and update Google Earth for them though. Fortunately Google also provides standalone installation setup .EXE and .DMG file to install Google Earth on Windows PC or Mac OS X computer, albeit not clearly and not directly.

In Google Earth Help topic related to installation and uninstallation, a direct download link to latest version of Google Earth is provided. It’s main provided as an alternative for user having problem installing Google Earth through Google Updater, however, it’s also complete installation package of Google Earth to avoid and bypass Google Updater.

The direct download link of latest current version of Google Earth (note that download URL has changed depending on versions):

Google Earth version 5.1

Win: http://dl.google.com/earth/client/advanced/current/googleearthwin.exe
Mac: http://dl.google.com/earth/client/advanced/current/googleearthmac.dmg
Linux: GoogleEarthLinux.run

Google Earth version 5.0.1

Win: http://dl.google.com/earth/client/advanced/previous/GoogleEarthWin.exe
(or visit http://earth.google.com/download-earth-advanced.html and choose ‘Previous Version’)
Mac: http://dl.google.com/earth/client/ge5/release_5_0_1/googleearth-mac-5.0.11729.1014.dmg
Linux: http://dl.google.com/dl/earth/client/ge5/release_5_0_1/googleearthlinuxplus-5.0.11733.9347-1.run

Google Earth version 4.3

Win: http://dl.google.com/earth/client/ge4/release_4_3/googleearthwin.exe
Mac: http://dl.google.com/earth/client/ge4/release_4_3/googleearthmac.dmg
Linux: http://dl.google.com/dl/earth/client/ge4/release_4_3/googleearth-linux-plus-4.3.7284.3916.bin

Or,

PC: http://dl.google.com/earth/client/current/GoogleEarthWin.exe
Mac: http://dl.google.com/earth/client/current/GoogleEarthMac.dmg