Upgrade StorageHelp - Library Synced to New Computer Without PDFs
Hi forum,
I need your help.
The names, sizes, and dates of all files beginning with “zotero.sqlite” in my current data directory
o zotero.sqlite 8/21/2025
o zotero.sqlite.1.bak 8/15/2025
o zotero.sqlite-journal 8/21/2025
Whether there's a 'storage' folder containing subfolders with dates corresponding to my previous usage of Zotero
o YES
Whether my current data directory is in the default location (“Zotero” in your home folder)
o Users\User_Name\Zotero [this works fine, I see my library]
When I last used Zotero on this computer, and what happened on my computer since then
o When I last used Zotero on my OLD Windows 10 computer, I had added some
citations and the associated PDF files. Everything was working properly.
o After I synced with my NEW Windows 11 computer, my full library showed up. Yay!
It looked good but … ALL the PDF icons were greyed out. When I click on them,
I get an error message that says
“The attached file could not be found at the following path:
C:\Users\User_Name\Zotero\storage\NH8XSMUW\Document_Name.pdf
It may have been moved or deleted outside of Zotero, or, if the file was added
on another computer, it may not yet have been synced to zotero.org.”
What I've tried so far
o My old computer still has my original Zotero STORAGE folder but … another
problem. Windows 10 absolutely refuses to copy the STORAGE subfolder where
all the citations and associated PDFs are located from my old computer to my
new computer. (Or Windows 11 refuses to accept the copy??)
For all you Wizards, is there a way to either (1) re-synch in a way that brings back my PDFs or (2) overcomes the problem of copying my old STORAGE files to my new computer?
Thank you,
- Doug A
I need your help.
The names, sizes, and dates of all files beginning with “zotero.sqlite” in my current data directory
o zotero.sqlite 8/21/2025
o zotero.sqlite.1.bak 8/15/2025
o zotero.sqlite-journal 8/21/2025
Whether there's a 'storage' folder containing subfolders with dates corresponding to my previous usage of Zotero
o YES
Whether my current data directory is in the default location (“Zotero” in your home folder)
o Users\User_Name\Zotero [this works fine, I see my library]
When I last used Zotero on this computer, and what happened on my computer since then
o When I last used Zotero on my OLD Windows 10 computer, I had added some
citations and the associated PDF files. Everything was working properly.
o After I synced with my NEW Windows 11 computer, my full library showed up. Yay!
It looked good but … ALL the PDF icons were greyed out. When I click on them,
I get an error message that says
“The attached file could not be found at the following path:
C:\Users\User_Name\Zotero\storage\NH8XSMUW\Document_Name.pdf
It may have been moved or deleted outside of Zotero, or, if the file was added
on another computer, it may not yet have been synced to zotero.org.”
What I've tried so far
o My old computer still has my original Zotero STORAGE folder but … another
problem. Windows 10 absolutely refuses to copy the STORAGE subfolder where
all the citations and associated PDFs are located from my old computer to my
new computer. (Or Windows 11 refuses to accept the copy??)
For all you Wizards, is there a way to either (1) re-synch in a way that brings back my PDFs or (2) overcomes the problem of copying my old STORAGE files to my new computer?
Thank you,
- Doug A
You'll either need to increase your Zotero Storage plan so that you have space to upload all your files from your old computer or copy the 'storage' folder. We can't help with problems with the latter — we can't provide general Windows guidance here.
https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/transferring_a_library