Locate the downloaded .exe file (usually in your "Downloads" folder). Double-click the file to launch the installation wizard.
While Mendeley is transitioning toward the newer Reference Manager, many power users still prefer the Mendeley Desktop for its local storage capabilities and deep PDF integration. 🚀 Mendeley Desktop for Windows Option 2: Tips-Focused (X / Twitter)
For Windows 10 and Windows 11 users who rely on complex nested folders and third-party plugins, version 2.85.0 remains the most stable build. Download Mendeley Desktop 2.85.0 for Windows
Below is a blog post guide to help you choose the right version and get it installed.
Easily manage PDFs and citations in one local database. Locate the downloaded
| Problem | Solution | |---------|----------| | Installer doesn’t run | Enable .NET Framework 4.6+ in Windows Features | | Word plugin not appearing | Close Word, run Mendeley as admin → Tools → reinstall plugin | | Sync fails | Update to latest 2.85.0 (no newer desktop version exists); consider using Mendeley Reference Manager for cloud sync | | PDFs not opening | Update your PDF reader; disable “Open PDFs using Mendeley’s internal viewer” in settings |
Option 1: Professional & Direct (LinkedIn / Research Forums) 🚀 Mendeley Desktop for Windows Option 2: Tips-Focused
Once the .exe file downloads (approx. 90 MB), locate it in your Downloads folder. Right-click and select to avoid permission errors.
, which is the current cloud-based successor to the original Mendeley Desktop. While some third-party sites list it as "Mendeley Desktop 2.85.0," the official legacy Mendeley Desktop stopped major feature updates at version
Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > Find "Mendeley Desktop" > Uninstall. Your library and PDFs remain in Documents\Mendeley Documents unless you manually delete them.
The wizard will guide you through the setup.