Mendeley Desktop Access

Navigate to Help > Check for Updates to ensure you are on the latest stable version (typically v1.19.8 ).

New researchers are encouraged to download Mendeley Reference Manager instead.

If you choose to move to the new Reference Manager, your library will automatically migrate once you sign in with your Elsevier account. About Mendeley - Library Guides - University of Washington Mendeley Desktop

You can designate specific folders on your computer for Mendeley to "watch." Any PDF you drop into these folders is automatically imported and indexed.

If you are deciding which version to use, consider these primary differences: Mendeley Desktop (Legacy) Mendeley Reference Manager (New) Existing users only; no new downloads Available for all users Storage Local and Cloud sync Cloud-based only Word Plugin Legacy Citation Plugin Mendeley Cite (Microsoft Store add-in) Interface Traditional desktop look Sleek, web-like interface PDF Handling Export PDFs with annotations "Notebook" feature (cloud annotations) Getting Started (for Existing Users) To maintain your Mendeley Desktop library: Navigate to Help > Check for Updates to

Mendeley Desktop stands out for its robust offline capabilities and organizational tools:

Unlike the cloud-only Reference Manager, Mendeley Desktop allows users to store their library and PDFs locally on their computer. About Mendeley - Library Guides - University of

It features a dedicated tool to find and merge duplicate entries in your library—a feature that was notably absent from early versions of the newer Reference Manager. Mendeley Desktop vs. Mendeley Reference Manager