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EndNote 21: Desktop: Install EndNote 21

Desktop citation management software helps you organize your research and manage your references

Request User License

To install EndNote Desktop, you will need to contact the library to request an EndNote user license. Once you've requested a user license, you will receive an email with a link to download the software installer and a license key. 

Install Software on PC

Step 1. Download/save the EndNote installer file to your computer and double-click to open.

****Your EndNote library lives on your C:/ drive. Do not install this program or save your EndNote libraries in cloud-syncing folders such as OneDrive, DropBox, iCloud, etc. This will corrupt your EndNote libraries. 

Step 2. Click next to progress to the next step of installation.

A text box with the following text: "Welcome to EndNote 21.1. Thank you for choosing EnNote 21! Accelerate your research; focus on your ideas. Organize your references using Tags. Exclusive access to the new modern EndNote Web for 3 years from activation. If your library becomes lost or damaged, EndNote 21 helps you recovber your references with ease. Revert back to an earlier version of a reference and compare versions if you made a mistake. Compatibility with the new Cite While You Write plugin for Google Docs (available separately on the Google Workplace Marketplace). Share your library with up to 1,000 colleagues." The "Next" button has a red arrow pointing to it.

Step 3. Enter the product key you received in your EndNote Installation email and click next.

A text box with the following text: "Select Installation. I have a product key. This information can be found within your disc's packaging or in your purchase confirmation email. I would like a 30-day free trial. After 30 days some functionality will become unavailable. An expired trial version can be activated with a product key at any time. Purchase a product key." A red box is around an empty text box after "I have a product key". A red arrow is pointing to the "Next" button.

The User Information box can be filled out or not, per your personal preference. Click next after reading the Read Me text.

Step 4. Read the license agreement and select "I accept the license agreement" and click next to continue to the next step.

A text box that displays part of the End User License Agreement. Under the box that displays the agreement are two options: "I accept the license agreement", and "I do not accept the license agreement". A red box is around the first option, and a red arrow points to the "Next" button below the options.

 

Step 5. Select "Typical" installation type. This type of installation will include APA, AMA, and other frequently used output styles. Click next to begin the installation.

A text box with the following text: "Select Installation Type. Typical: All application features are the Most Popular Bibliographic Output Styles, Online Connections, and Import Filters will be installed. This option is recommended for the best performance. Custom: Use this option to choose specific application features and any Bibliographic Output Styles, Online Connections, and Import Filters you want to install in addition to the Most Popular files. This is recommended for advanced EndNote users." A red box is around the "Typical" option, and a red arrow points to the "Next" button.

 

Step 6. Be sure to choose a Destination Folder on the C:\\ drive. Do not install this program or save your EndNote libraries in cloud-syncing folders such as OneDrive, DropBox, iCloud, etc. This will corrupt your EndNote libraries. 

A text box with the following text: "Select Destination. The Wise Installation Wizard will install the files for EndNote 21.1 in the following folder. To install into a different folder, click the Browse button, and select another folder. You can choose not to install EndNote 21.1 by clicking Cancel to exit the Wise Installation Wizard. Destination Folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\EndNote 21\." A red box is around the Destination Folder.

 

Step 7.  Make sure that you have any Microsoft Office products closed before clicking next. If you have not, the EndNote installer will prompt you to make sure they are closed and will not progress with the installation of EndNote.

A text box with the following text: "Ready to Install the Application. Click the Back button to reenter the installation information or click Cancel to exit the wizard. Before proceeding, make sure you are logged into the local machine with administrative rights and that no other programs, including anti-virus software, are running. Click Next to begin the installation." A red arrow is pointing to the "Next" button.

Install Software on Mac

Step 1:

Download/save the EndNote installer file to your computer and double-click to open.

Step 2:

Double click the Install EndNote 21 image

An installation screen that reads "EndNote 20.0.1 Installer. EndNote 20: Multi-user and site license unlocked installer."

Step 4:

This will bring up an image with "Licensed to" and your license name.

An installation screen that reads "EndNote 20. Licensed to:" At the bottom is a button labeled "Install".

 

Step 4: 

Once the installer launches, click Install. This may take some time to complete.

Step 5:

This will launch the EndNote 21 application to customize the installation.

A text box. To the left is a menu that reads "Welcome, Read Me, Updating System, Summary". "Welcome" is in bold font. Next to the menu is a text box that reads: "Welcome to EndNote 20.0.1. Thank you for choosing EndNote 20! The same power and flexibility you trust, modernized for ease of use. New Design: prepare manuscripts and manage bibliographies with a new, intuitive user interface. Improved Reading and Editing: Read and annotate more easily with full-size PDFs, and quickly copy formatted references. Cite While You Write: Insert in-text citations while creating a bibliography in supported word processors. 7,000+ Reference Styles: Build your bibliography in over 7,000 styles, or customize your own." A "Next" button is at the bottom of the box.

Step 6:

Click through these screens to complete the installation. You should not be prompted for a Product Key.