A Typical Installation

A typical installation of EndNote will install all the essential components of the software, with a limited number of the most popular styles, filters, and connection files (called "content files" as a group). EndNote has thousands of content files, so many that installing all of them can impair program performance. Installing only the most popular content files as a default still allows you to add files at need, while improving performance. See the following for information on installing additional content files.

A Typical Installation for a Single-User License of EndNote

To install EndNote 2025:

  1. Download the installer. If you do not have a copy of the installer, check here.
  2. Place the EndNote2025Installer.dmg file on your desktop and double-click on it to begin the installation.
  3. In the EndNote 2025 Installer window, double-click on the icon labeled Install EndNote 2025.app.
  4. Click the Install button. It may take a few moments to extract the files.
  5. If warned that EndNote 2025.app would like to access data from other apps, choose whether to allow this or not to continue.
  6. Click Next in the Welcome to EndNote 2025 dialog.
  7. In the Select Installation Type dialog, enter your EndNote product key if you have purchased EndNote, or choose the I would like a 30-day free trial radio button to install a 30-day trial version of the program. The trial version has all the features of the paid version to allow you to evaluate the program before buying.

    You can also use the Purchase a Product Key button to purchase EndNote from this dialog.
  8. Click the Next button.
  9. Enter your name and organization to personalize your installation in the User Information dialog and click the Next button.
  10. The Read Me Information dialog will give you updated information on the program. Click Next when you have finished viewing it.
  11. The End User License Agreement dialog allows you to view the full license agreement for use of the product. To continue the installation, accept the license agreement and click Next.
  12. In the Select Components dialog, leave the options as marked, then click Next. (If you wish to do a custom installation, you can start that here. See Custom Installations/Adding Content Files.)
  13. If notified that EndNote wants to make changes, you will need to enter your user password and click OK to continue.
  14. When the installation completes, click the Done button.

You have now completed the installation of EndNote and can begin using the application. Be sure to save a copy of the installer in a safe location, in case you want to install EndNote again or on another computer. A single-user copy of EndNote can be installed on up to three computers, but they must all have the same user.

A Typical Installation for an Institutional License of EndNote

If your institution has provided you with a site license installer for EndNote, you will not need to enter the product key during the installation.

To install EndNote 2025:

  1. Download the installer from your institution. You cannot use the standard installer from the EndNote website, you will need the one customized for your institution.
  2. Double-click on the EndNote2025SiteInstaller.dmg file to begin the installation.
  3. In the EndNote 2025 Installer window, double-click on the icon labeled Install EndNote 2025.app.
  4. If warned that "Install EndNote 2025.app" is an app downloaded from the Internet, click the Open button to continue the installation.
  5. Click the Install button. It may take a few moments to extract the files.
  6. Click Next in the Welcome to EndNote 2025 dialog.
  7. The Read Me information dialog will give you updated information on the program. Click Next when you have finished viewing it.
  8. If notified that EndNote wants to make changes, you will need to enter your user password to continue.
  9. When the installation completes, click the Done button.

You have now completed the basic installation of EndNote and can begin using the program. Be sure to save a copy of the EndNote2025SiteInstaller.dmg file in a safe location. It may be needed when you install updates or upgrades.

To customize your installation of EndNote, use The Customizer.