Folder Locations Preferences

The Folder Locations preferences panel is where you set the personal folder locations for new or modified styles, import filters, and connection files.

To access these settings, go to the Edit menu, select Preferences, and then click Folder Locations in the list of preferences.

The many styles, filters, and connection files provided with EndNote are installed in the Styles, Filters, and Connections folders, which are located in the EndNote program folder.

C:\Program Files (x86)\EndNote 2025\Styles
C:\Program Files (x86)\EndNote 2025\Filters
C:\Program Files (x86)\EndNote 2025\Connections 

When you display a list of styles, filters, or connection files in EndNote, the list is compiled from two locations: the installation folders listed above and your personal folders.

The default personal folder locations for your modified styles, filters, and connection files are—

C:\Users\[User Folder]\Documents\EndNote\Styles
C:\Users\[User Folder]\Documents\EndNote\Filters
C:\Users\[User Folder]\Documents\EndNote\Connections 

Note: To change the default installation folder for the provided styles, filters, or connection files, see Changing the Default Content File Location.

Initially, your personal folders do not exist; they are created once you create a new file or save changes to an existing file. For example, when you open an existing style and make changes, you cannot Save, but must select Save As. You can give the file the same name or a modified name, but the file is saved to your personal Styles folder. The next time you view a list of output styles, you will see your modified style on the list. If you gave the file a different name than the original file, both are listed. If you gave the file the same name as the original, you will see the modified style listed, and not the original file, although it still resides in the program folder.

Why do we bother with personal folders? Why not change or add to the installation folders? We implemented personal folders so that:

  • If you reinstall EndNote for some reason, you will not overwrite a modified file with the same name. (We know you may have spent hours getting your file just right, and do not want to risk losing your work.)
  • When you upgrade to a newer version of EndNote, you will not delete a new or modified file.
  • When you download EndNote program updates, you will not overwrite a modified file.
  • You can write protect a shared program folder, yet still use your own customized styles, filters, and connection files.
  • You must have administrative rights to modify files in the Program Files (x86) folder. For many users, this is not an option, or not easily done. 

To change your personal folder locations:

  1. From the Edit menu, select Preferences.
  2. Click on Folder Locations.
  3. To change a folder location, click the Select Folder button for the Style Folder, Filter Folder, or Connections Folder.
  4. Locate the folder that you would like to designate as the new Style, Filter, or Connection folder, and then click the Select button.