How to Download and Install EndNote

You must have Administrative Rights on your computer to install the EndNote program. If you don't, please ask your school or department's IT personnel to help you install EndNote.

Instructions for downloading and installing EndNote 21 for Windows and Macs are below.

Downloading and Installing EndNote 21 for Windows

  • To start, download EndNote 21 for Windows.
  • Login is required to download the EndNote program. On the Login page, click NetID and Password if you are affiliated with Rutgers. If not, but you have permission to access Rutgers restricted library resources, click Library Barcode and Password.
    Rutgers Login Required screen with two link options: NetID and Password or Library Barcode and Password
  • Once you log in, a zip file will be downloaded to your computer.
    A Downloads folder containing a file titled endnote21.zip and link to open file

     

  • The zip file is placed in the Downloads folder by default. Open the folder and locate the endnote21 zip file.
    A Windows Downloads folder showing the endnote21 zip file having been downloaded today

     

  • For Windows, it is important to extract the files and place the extracted files in a separate folder. Mouse over endnote21 and then right click to choose Extract All....
    Image after user clicks on the endnote21.zip file revealing a side menu that includes the option to Extract All

     

  • You will be prompted to select a destination. You may select Desktop or Documents, or any folder that is different from where the zip file is. We choose Documents here. Then click the Extract button at the bottom.
    Windows prompt to select a destination and extract files, which includes a browse function for selecting a destination folder and a checkbox to specify whether to show extracted files when complete.

     

  • Now go to the Documents folder, or wherever you've extracted your files. Find and open the EndNote 21_Windows folder.
    Documents folder that contains a folder titled "EndNote21_Windows"

     

  • Inside the folder, you will see two files: EN21Inst.msi and License.dat. Please click the EN21Inst.msi file to install EndNote 21. Before you start installing, make sure you have Administrative Rights to install programs on your computer and also make sure all Microsoft (MS) programs are closed (e.g. Word, Outlook, Excel, etc.) so that your installation process will not be disrupted.
    Mouse highlighting the EN21Inst.msi file to start installation of EndNote 21.

     

  • Once the Installation process is started, just follow the prompts to move through to the end of the installation process.
    The first screen of the EndNote 21 Installation Process, which starts with Welcome to EndNote 21, describes some of the software features, and provides buttons at the bottom for users to navigate to the next screen or cancel the install.
    EndNote 21 Volume License Version screen from the software installation process. Press "Accept" to continue through the installation.

     

  • When you get to the License Agreement screen, click the radio button next to "I accept the license agreement" and press the Next button.
    EndNote 21 License Agreement term with radio button selection to accept or not accept the agreement and ability to go Back, Next or Cancel installation

     

  • At the Select Installation Type screen, leave Typical selected and proceed by clicking the Next button.
    EndNote 21 installation step to Select Installation Type, with the Typical option selected

     

  • Usually by default, your EndNote 21 will be placed in the directory as: C:\Program Files(x86)\EndNote 21\
    EndNote 21 installation screen to Select Destination for your EndNote files. By default, it places the files in your Program Files directory, but you can change this location
    Ready to Install the Application screen for EndNote 21 installation. Click the Next button to begin installation.

     

  • If there are Microsoft (MS) files running (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.), the Installation process will not be continued as shown below. Make sure you close these files and then press Retry.
    EndNote 21 Installation screen titled, "File in Use". The installation wizard is unable to continue due to running applications. Please close the specified applications and click "Retry" or click "Exit" to quit the installation.

     

  • After closing all MS files, click Retry. You should then be able to continue the installation process.
    EndNote 21 Updating System installation screen. Files are being copied into the selected directory.

     

  • You now have EndNote 21 installed on your computer. Click the Finish button to exit the installation.
    Screen stating EndNote 21 has been successfully installed. Click the Finish button to exit the installation.

     

  • At this time, if you check your C drive under Program Files (x86), EndNote 21 should be listed there.
    List of files in the Program Files (x86) directory of the user's Primary (C:) drive, including EndNote 21

     

  • Open MS Word, you now should see the EndNote 21 tab (the EndNote CWYW Add-on) is added. If it does not appear, please contact your librarians at citationmgr@libraries.rutgers.edu for help.
    Open Microsoft Word document with right-most tab labeled EndNote 21

     

  • A Sample EndNote 21 Library for Windows
    Example EndNote 21 Library for Windows showing a long list of References

Downloading and Installing EndNote 21 for Mac

  • To start, download EndNote 21 for Mac.
  • Login is required to download the EndNote program. On the Login page, click NetID and Password if you are affiliated with Rutgers. If not, but you have permission to access Rutgers restricted library resources, click Library Barcode and Password.
    Rutgers Login Required screen with two link options: NetID and Password or Library Barcode and Password

     

  • Once you log in, the EndNote 21 program file will be downloaded and viewable at the lower left corner (if using the Chrome browser).
    Chrome download tab showing the EndNote21 installer for Mac

     

  • The file is placed in the Downloads folder by default. Open the Downloads folder and click EndNote21SiteInstaller.dmg.
    User clicking on the EndNote21SiteInstaller.dmg icon

     

  • Double click on the EN button. This launches the EndNote 21 Installer.
    EN icon with label Install EndNote 21

     

  • You will be warned to confirm that you do want to install this program. To confirm, click the blue Open button.
    Message box which states, "Install Endnote 21 is an app downloaded from the internet. Are you sure you want to open it?" The mouse pointer is over the blue Open button. Other available buttons are "Show Disk Image" and "Cancel"

     

  • When the "Install EndNote 21" dialog box appears, click Install. This launches the Installation process.
    Mouse over Install button on window stating EndNote 21 Licensed to: Rutgers University.

     

  • Enter an administrator's name and password at the administrator login prompt and click the OK button.
    EndNote Installer administrator login prompt

     

  • Then follow the prompts by clicking Next to continue with the installation process. Note: You will be asked to enter the Admin login info again later.
    The EndNote 21 Customizer screen with Welcome to EndNote 21 introduction and a Next button to continue the installation process.

     

  • When you see the Summary screen, click the Done button to complete the installation of EndNote 21 for Mac.
    A summary screen, the last step of the installation, with a mouse clicking the Done button.

     

  • Go to the Applications folder and open EndNote 21 to begin using the software.
    EndNote 21 interface displaying list of All References