how to unsync personal library?

pauliemcdermid

To free up storage online, I need to unsync my personal library from the online account, but don't know how.

I want to keep my library locally; I just need to remove it from online so I have more storage space. I have unchecked my personal library in the preferences pane where it asks to choose which libraries to sync, but it's still there online.

Could anyone tell me how to remove it?

adamsmith

If you just want to free up space in Zotero storage, all you need to do is to stop file sync for your library and then purge storage. Syncing the metadata doesn't use up any of your Zotero storage.

pauliemcdermid

Thank you. So, if I just delete all the already uploaded files from online and make sure the file sync is stopped, then the storage space will be freed up?

adamsmith

Don't delete the files online. That will remove them locally as well. Instead, after disabling file sync for "My Library", use the "Purge storage" button here https://www.zotero.org/settings/storage?ref=usb which just wipes the files from the online storage without deleting them from Zotero.

That will free up all storage used by your personal library on Zotero file storage, yes.

bwiernik

You don't have to manually delete anything . First disable File Syncing in My Library from the Sync preferences in the Zotero desktop app. Then, from https://www.zotero.org/settings/storage click the Purge Storage button.

pauliemcdermid

Thanks again for your help - much appreciated!

sustainabilityleadership

how do i unsync though? I want to use my personal desktop zotero and sync to the web version but my organisation zotero takes over?

dillibe

After disabling file sync and purging storage, is it possible to sync specific files with the online library? I don't need access to the entire library (which is too large) just to about 25 articles.

dstillman

@dillibe: No, syncing doesn't work that way. The point of syncing is to make everything available on all devices. You can choose not to download files to all devices, but anything you add will always be uploaded as long as you have storage space.

The point of "Purge Storage in My Library" is just to stop using Zotero Storage in My Library (as if you had turned off Zotero Storage file syncing for My Library from the beginning) in case you want to reserve it for groups you own.