Overview
The article provides instructions for Purdue University Fort Wayne students, faculty and staff on how to download and install EndNote X21 on Windows or macOS devices. The article also advises to uninstall any previous versions of EndNote and back up any existing library or content files before running the new installer.
Instructions
Please note: Downloads of EndNote linked from this article are only licensed for Purdue University Fort Wayne students, faculty and staff on personal devices and should not be shared with anyone else.
Uninstall any previous versions of EndNote
- First back up any existing EndNote™ library files and any customized content files (e.g. styles, connection files, and filters).
- Close all open programs, and then uninstall any older versions:
- Windows 10: Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features or Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs
- macOS: Click the EndNote menu and Select Customizer. Click Uninstall and then remove the EndNote folder.
- Once any older versions have been uninstalled, run the new EndNote installer.
This will create a new EndNote program folder, and you can then move any backed up library or content files into the folder of your choice.
With EndNote X2 and later, customized content files will be stored in the user account folder of the computer and will not be removed during the upgrade:
Windows 10
C:\Users\(your login)\Documents\EndNote\
macOS
/Users/(your login)/Documents/EndNote/
Install EndNote X20 for Windows
- Select EndNote-X21.0.0.17096-Windows.zip.
- Browse to where the download was saved, right click and select to Unzip the files.
- You should now have a new folder with two files inside the folder: EN21Inst.msi and License.dat.
Note: It is important to keep both of these files together in that folder.
- Select the EN21Inst.msi, from the folder, to launch the installer.
- Follow the steps to complete the installation.
Install EndNote X20 for macOS
- Select EndNoteX21MacOS.dmg, launch the installer and mount the disk image.
- Right-click (or control-click) the "Install EndNote X21.app" image and choose “open”.
- This will bring up an image with "Licensed to: Purdue University".
- Click Install. Note: This may take some time to complete.
- This will launch the EndNote X20 application to customize the installation:
- Click through these screens to complete the installation. You should not be prompted for a Product Key.
Still need help? Click the 'Purdue IT Request' button to start a ticket.