Custom data directory location in Zotero Portable

mst055

Hello, I am running Zotero Portable 5.0.96.3 and am having issues specifying the data directory to a portable drive.

Since I am running the program in portable mode, I'd like to specify the data directory as Q:\\Zotero Library not Q:\\ZoteroPortable\Data\profile.

I did this in previous versions very simply, but now the custom data directory option is missing from the settings tab.

In the advanced preferences tab under files and folders I see that the data director location can be specified via command line. How exactly do I do that? Many thanks for any help!

dstillman

Not sure what you mean here. The data directory can be set in the Advanced → Files and Folders pane of the preferences, as has always been the case.

mst055

I thought so too, but it's unfortunately no longer the case in Zotero Portable 5.0.96.3 on Windows 11. It says the custom path needs to be specified in the command line.

https://i.postimg.cc/MHdnFSDH/Zotero-preferences.jpg

dstillman

Oh, that would just be something you set up. Check the shortcut you’re using to launch Zotero.

mst055

Finally found it. I edited the ZoteroPortable.ini in the folder

C:\***\ZoteroPortable\App\AppInfo\Launcher\ZoteroPortable.ini

and added the following line:

CommandLineArguments='-datadir "C:\Zotero Library"'

Zotero now launches and finds the library.