How to NOT include any attachment for local Zotero library entries

Hello,

I use Zotero v6.0.3 on Linux and everything is well, except the fact that my local Library is replete with both Snapshots and with attachments files. I need neither and would like to rid my local setup from both types of files, if possible erasing those attachments from local storage (and incidentally also from remote sync'ed storage).
In other words I would be perfectly content with local library entries that contain all the metadata I need about articles and other references without the corresponding attached files.

Using the Config Editor, I changed: "extensions.zotero.groups.copyChildFileAttachments" from "true" to "false".

Is this the way to go about this ? If not how can I achieve that ?

Tx.
  • edited November 3, 2022
    Exploring the Zotero Preferences more thoroughly, I realized the second pane "Sync" allows un-selecting both:
    (a) Sync attachment files in MyLibrary using [Zotero|WebDAV], and
    (b) Sync attachment files in group libraries using Zotero storage
    I deselected both and set "extensions.zotero.groups.copyChildFileAttachments" back to "true".

    Is this the right way of achieving my objective ?
    I have the feeling this will merely prevent further syncing of attachments and snapshots, but will NOT prevent the Firefox plugin from actually downloading that attachment to my local library when "acquiring" a new reference. I'd like to prevent that from happening as well.

    Another question is how can I rid my local library storage from snapshots (e.g. from arXiv) and attachment files (e.g. full PDFs) all at once, that is to say, without going through hundreds of local library entries by hand ?

    Tx
  • The relevant preferences are the first two under "File Handling" in the general tab of the preferences.

    For the second part -- you can search for the attachments -- e.g. using "Full text" or "Snapshot" -- you'll see that the parent items show in the search, but are greyed out. You can then select all -- which will only select the attachments -- delete and empty your trash.
  • Thank you @adamsmith for your help.
    I could not have guessed that searching by "attachment" or "snapshot" was even possible.

    [SOLVED]
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