PDF being converted into linked files when dropped into Zotero

anthonychau085

In documentation, it states that "by default, files dragged into Zotero are added as copies of the original files." However, I've noticed that Zotero has automatically been converting them to linked files instead. How can I stop this?

dstillman

Zotero isn't doing that. A plugin you've installed (likely ZotFile) is doing it.

tim820

The only way that Zotero itself would be adding them as linked files would be if you held down Ctrl+Shift (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Option (Mac) while drag/dropping ...
https://www.zotero.org/support/attaching_files#adding_files_via_the_zotero_window

anthonychau085

Is there any way I can set my preference for files to be added as copies instead?

adamsmith

By default files _are_ added as copies. If you want that, just uninstall the add-on? (edit: overlapped with Tim below -- see their post for details & clearer explanation)

tim820

If dragging PDFs into Zotero, you just drag them *without* holding down the Ctrl key (Windows). Zotero creates a copy of the PDF in local Zotero\storage.

If you have Zotfile installed and you add downloaded PDFs via the Zotero Connector then Zotfile will automatically add them as linked files, moving the downloaded PDF to the folder you set as Zotfile's Custom Location folder. That's what Zotfile is for. If you don't want that behaviour then you don't want Zotfile installed.

Regarding *dragging* in PDFs when you also have Zotfile installed, the standard Zotero PDF copy behaviour still occurs.