- Upgrade Process
- Prerequisites and Compatibility Considerations
- Available Documentation
- Impact Assessment
- Licensing Requirements
- Recommended Testing and Validation
Upgrade Process
- Back up all EndNote libraries and associated data folders before upgrading.
- Deploy EndNote 2025 in a pilot environment and test representative user workflows.
- Upgrade existing libraries by opening them in EndNote 2025 and confirming successful conversion. Conversion should be necessary only if the previous library were last used with EndNote X9.2 or earlier.
- Complete phased deployment following successful testing.
Prerequisites and Compatibility Considerations
- Verify operating system compatibility and Microsoft Word support.
- Confirm compatibility with EndNote Online synchronisation and any institutional integrations.
- Review enterprise deployment requirements, including silent-install or software distribution methods.
- Ensure users perform a full sync and library backup before upgrade.
- Remove previous versions of EndNote before deploying the new version.
Available Documentation
- EndNote 2025 Release Notes: https://support.clarivate.com/Endnote/s/article/EndNote-2025-Release-Notes?language=en_US
- EndNote 2025 Update and Installation Guidance: Resources for volume installation of EndNote 2025
- EndNote - Volume License Install Steps: https://support.alfasoft.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001327038-EndNote-Volume-License-Install-Steps
- EndNote Volume and Command-line/MSI installation guide: https://support.alfasoft.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001768658-EndNote-Volume-and-Command-line-MSI-installation-guide
- As communicated before by Clarivate, EndNote requires elevated rights on Windows for both installation and updates
Impact Assessment
- User Libraries: Existing libraries are supported and may be automatically updated when first opened in EndNote 2025.
- Shared Libraries: Expected to remain functional; validation is recommended.
- Custom Styles and Filters: Custom output styles, connection files, and import filters should be backed up before upgrading and validated after the upgrade. As per today, Custom Styles, Filters, and Connections are not stored in the installation folder, and should not be affected by an update, or upgrade specifically, in the EndNote subfolder of the generic system Documents folder. This was changed in the era of Windows XP.
- Cite While You Write (CWYW): Microsoft Word integration should be tested to confirm citation insertion, bibliography generation, and formatting functionality.
- Integrations: Validate integrations with EndNote Online, Web of Science, PDF workflows, and other supported applications.
Licensing Requirements
- Upgrade rights depend on the organisation's current EndNote license agreement.
- Customers with active institutional or site licenses may already be entitled to EndNote 2025.
- Organisations using older perpetual versions may require the purchase of upgrade licenses.
- Licensing entitlement should be confirmed with Clarivate before deployment.
Recommended Testing and Validation
- Before production deployment, validate:
- Library conversion and access
- EndNote Online synchronisation
- Shared library functionality
- Custom styles, filters, and templates
- Cite While You Write functionality in Microsoft Word
- Reference import/export processes
- PDF management and attachment handling
- Typical end-user research and citation workflows
We recommend a pilot deployment with a representative user group before an organisation-wide rollout.
We also welcome you to speak with our tech support team for additional support.