Zotero
Knowledge center
Numbered sequences for install and recovery. Jump to a topic:
01
From the download page, choose Download for Windows · 10.0. Expect about 104 MB and the name Zotero-10.0_x64_setup.exe.
Open the EXE and follow the prompts. Installing over an older version keeps your existing library.
Launch Zotero and check that My Library appears. No account is required for local use.
Use Help / Check for Updates when a newer build is available.
02
The Connector talks to the running Zotero client when you save.
Chrome, Edge, or Firefox via the Connector download. Safari uses the connector bundled with Zotero (enable it in Safari Extensions).
Keep Save to Zotero visible so you do not hunt for it mid-session.
Open an article page and save once. Confirm the item appears in Zotero with sensible metadata.
If saving fails, confirm Zotero is open and that the Connector version matches a supported browser. See collect features.
03
A common early complaint is that the library feels crowded. Use collections for project structure (chapters, courses) and tags for themes that span folders.
Saved searches act like smart folders. In Zotero 10 you can also select multiple collections to review items together and batch-edit fields.
04
Local libraries work without an account. Sync is optional.
Zotero 10 renames the Sync pane to Account. Verify username and that sync is enabled for the right libraries.
Metadata may sync while PDF attachment sync stops when free file storage is full. Free up space or adjust what you sync.
If the same item changed on two machines, pick the correct version and avoid editing both copies offline for long stretches.
05
See the table on the download requirements section.
Use the word processor plugin installer inside Zotero. On Mac LibreOffice, install the JDK when prompted.
Look for Zotero commands in the ribbon or menus after restart.
The plugin expects the desktop app to be available for citation lookups.
06
Security tools sometimes flag new EXE installers before global reputation updates. That does not by itself prove malware.
Tip: match version 10.0, filename, and ~104 MB size before you whitelist anything.
Confirm Zotero 10.0 and Zotero-10.0_x64_setup.exe (or the macOS/Linux package you chose).
Windows x64 builds are reported around 104 MB. A tiny stub or oddly renamed file deserves extra caution.
If your download host lists SHA-256, verify before allowing the file.
After verification, whitelist only the installer you checked. Read more on trust and security.
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