Help!how to recover my zotero.sqlite tot

qqai1314 · 2025-05-14T07:57:02+00:00

my zotero.sqlite file seems be accidentally overwritten, when I moved the Zotero folder from the C:\Users\ directory to drive E and then moved it back, some files were skipped during the process..I have tried reinstalling Zotero and syncing my account, but no previous data was restored. My Zotero online account (via the website) also appears empty. Are there any remaining options to recover my library?

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u14228209/yw4tijqboq6jl362xm0l.png

dstillman · 2025-05-14T09:51:37+00:00

The zotero.sqlite.bak file there looks like it has your data (11.8 MB vs. 1.7 MB).

Make backup copies of all those files elsewhere and then delete zotero.sqlite and rename zotero.sqlite.bak to zotero.sqlite.

qqai1314 · 2025-05-14T15:16:05+00:00

@dstillman
thanks a lot,but i'v tried this before,still empty tot. i' ve used zotero for like 1 year, i think maybe it isn't the proper size of the zotero.sqlite

dstillman · 2025-05-14T20:38:56+00:00

You've tried what before, exactly? Your screenshot shows an empty active database. You need to replace it with the 11 MB one. If you think you've done that, show us a screenshot.