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| preferences:advanced [2023/01/05 04:57] – [Files and Folders] dstillman | preferences:advanced [2024/04/11 06:54] (current) – [Files and Folders] dstillman |
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| Note that this setting does not control where files are stored — only whether linked files within the specified folder are referenced by absolute or relative paths. If you're using the [[http://zotfile.com/|ZotFile plugin]] to help with a linked-file workflow, you should configure it to store linked files within the base directory you've configured. | Note that this setting does not control where files are stored — only whether linked files within the specified folder are referenced by absolute or relative paths. If you're using the [[http://zotfile.com/|ZotFile plugin]] to help with a linked-file workflow, you should configure it to store linked files within the base directory you've configured. |
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| | Note that linked files are an advanced configuration, and we're not able to help troubleshoot problems with specific setups. We recommend that most people use stored files instead. |
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| == Automatic Linked-File Relinking == | == Automatic Linked-File Relinking == |
| By default, Zotero stores your [[:zotero_data|data directory]] (which contains your library database, attachment files, and several other files) in your user home folder on your computer. This is the best location for most users, but it is possible to change the location. After changing the data directory location, Zotero will store newly created data in the new location. | By default, Zotero stores your [[:zotero_data|data directory]] (which contains your library database, attachment files, and several other files) in your user home folder on your computer. This is the best location for most users, but it is possible to change the location. After changing the data directory location, Zotero will store newly created data in the new location. |
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| Note, that Zotero will not, however, copy over existing data to the new location. If you want to keep your data, you need to move the files manually. Click the "Show Data Directory" button to open the Zotero folder in your computer's file browser. You will need to move everything in the folder (including, 'zotero.sqlite', 'storage', 'styles', and all other files) to the new location. | Note that Zotero will not, however, copy over existing data to the new location. If you want to keep your data, you need to move the files manually. Click the "Show Data Directory" button to open the Zotero folder in your computer's file browser. You will need to move everything in the folder (including 'zotero.sqlite', 'storage', 'styles', and all other files) to the new location. |
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| == Unsafe Data Directory Locations == | == Unsafe Data Directory Locations == |
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| There are several data directory locations that are potentially unsafe and **likely to lead to database corruption or even data loss**. If you use any of these setups, be sure to [[:zotero_data|back up]] your Zotero data frequently. | There are several data directory locations that are **likely to lead to database corruption or even data loss**. |
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| * **Cloud-syncing folders**: Storing your Zotero data directory in a cloud-syncing folder (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, or other similar folder synchronization services) is extremely unsafe and will almost certainly lead to database corruption and potentially data loss. The forums contain [[http://forums.zotero.org/discussion/13359/|several]] [[http://forums.zotero.org/discussion/27900/synching-to-dropbox/|threads]] [[http://forums.zotero.org/discussion/6128/dropbox-and-zotero-15-case-conflicts/|about]] [[http://forums.zotero.org/discussion/24593/backing-up-a-large-database-without-corrupting-it/|the problems]] that users have faced with Dropbox- or Google Drive-based setups. See [[:sync#alternative_syncing_solutions|Alternative Syncing Solutions]] for potential safe methods of using cloud-syncing services to sync Zotero attachment files. | * **Cloud storage folders**: Storing your Zotero data directory in a cloud storage folder (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, or other similar folder synchronization services) is [[kb:data_directory_in_cloud_storage_folder|extremely unsafe]] and will almost certainly lead to database corruption and potentially data loss. |
| * **Network drives**: If you store your Zotero data directory on a network drive and then access it from multiple computers at the same time, you are very likely to encounter database corruption. For example, if you leave Zotero open on your laptop, then open the same Zotero database on the network drive from your work computer, you will likely experience corruption. You should never use a network drive to permit multiple users to access the same Zotero database on different machines (use [[:Groups]] or [[:sync|Zotero syncing]] for that). | * **Network drives**: If you store your Zotero data directory on a network drive and then access it from multiple computers at the same time, you are very likely to encounter database corruption. For example, if you leave Zotero open on your laptop, then open the same Zotero database on the network drive from your work computer, you will likely experience corruption. You should never use a network drive to permit multiple users to access the same Zotero database on different machines (use [[:groups]] or [[:sync|Zotero syncing]] for that). |
| * **Virtual machines**: Similar to issues with network drives, it can be unsafe to use the same Zotero database file from both a virtual machine and the computer's host operating system (or another virtual machine). If the same Zotero database is accessed from two locations at the same time (e.g., if Zotero is open on both the virtual machine and the host operating system), corruption is likely. If you want to use Zotero in a virtual machine, it is better to set up a separate Zotero data directory in the virtual machine and to keep it up to date using [[:sync|Zotero syncing]]. | * **Virtual machines**: Similar to issues with network drives, it can be unsafe to use the same Zotero database file from both a virtual machine and the computer's host operating system (or another virtual machine). If the same Zotero database is accessed from two locations at the same time (e.g., if Zotero is open on both the virtual machine and the host operating system), corruption is likely. If you want to use Zotero in a virtual machine, it is better to set up a separate Zotero data directory in the virtual machine and to keep it up to date using [[:sync|Zotero syncing]]. |
| | * **External disks**: While keeping your data directory on an external disk is usually safe, your database could become corrupted if, say, the disk becomes unmounted while Zotero is open. |
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| === Database Maintenance === | === Database Maintenance === |
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| * **Check Database Integrity:** This function checks your Zotero database for any data corruption. Database corruption is rare, and in most cases is caused by storing your data directory in an [[#unsafe_data_directory_locations|unsafe location]]. Checking database integrity can take a long time if your database is very large. If your database is corrupted, you can try to use the [[/utils/dbfix/|Database Repair Tool]] to repair the corruption. | * **Check Database Integrity:** This function checks your Zotero database for invalid data and database corruption. Database corruption is rare, and in most cases is caused by storing your data directory in an [[#unsafe_data_directory_locations|unsafe location]]. Checking database integrity can take a long time if your database is very large. If your database is corrupted, you can try to use the [[/utils/dbfix/|Database Repair Tool]] to repair the corruption. |
| * **Reset Translators…:** Reset web and import/export translators to the versions bundled with the application or provided as updates from Zotero servers. | * **Reset Translators…:** Reset web and import/export translators to the versions bundled with the application or provided as updates from Zotero servers. |
| * **Reset Styles…:** Reset citation styles to the versions bundled with the application or provided as updates from Zotero servers. | * **Reset Styles…:** Reset citation styles to the versions bundled with the application or provided as updates from Zotero servers. |
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