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 installer on your desktop and double-click on it to begin the installation.
  3. If asked if you want to allow the application to make changes, click Yes. (No would cancel the installation.)
  4. Click the Next button.
  5. In the Select Installation 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.
  6. Click the Next button.
  7. Enter your name and organization. Click the Next button.
  8. The Read Me Information dialog will give you updated information on the program. Click Next when you have finished viewing it.
  9. The 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.
  10. In the Select Installation Type dialog, leave the Typical radio button marked, then click Next. (If you wish to do a custom installation, choose that option here. See Custom Installations/Adding Content Files.)
  11. Click the Next button until the installation completes, then click the Finish button.

You have now completed the installation of EndNote and can begin using the program. 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 need two files: the EN2025Inst.msi installation file and a file called License.dat. These may have been provided in a zipped file. Both files are necessary to install EndNote 2025 without a product key or the need for buying a personal product license.

To install EndNote 2025:

  1. If your institution has provided you with a zipped file containing the EN2025Inst.msi file and the License.dat file, you will first need to extract the files. You cannot install the program from the zipped file. Although Windows will let you see both files inside the zipped file, trying to install from within the zipped file will ask for a product key. Installing from the extracted files will not ask for a product key.

    Right-click on the zipped file and select Extract All from the menu.
  2. If asked at any time during the installation if you want to allow the application to make changes, click Yes. (No would cancel the installation.)
  3. Place both the EN2025Inst.msi and the License.dat files on your desktop or in a folder on your hard drive. Both files must be together in the same folder.
  4. Double-click on the EN2025Inst.msi file to begin the installation, then click Next.
  5. Read through the EndNote 2025 Volume License Version agreement. Click Accept to accept the agreement and continue the installation, or click Cancel to cancel the installation.
  6. The Read Me Information dialog will give you updated information on the program. Click Next when you have finished viewing it.
  7. The 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.
  8. In the Select Installation Type dialog, leave the Typical radio button marked, then click Next. (If you wish to do a custom installation, choose that option here. See Custom Installations/Adding Content Files.)
  9. Click the Next button until the installation completes, then click the Finish button.

You have now completed the installation of EndNote and can begin using the program. Be sure to save a copy of both the EN2025Inst.msi and the License.dat files in a safe location. They may be needed when you install updates or upgrades.