You can just select the attachment in the web library and then copy the zotero.org URL from your browser address bar. Anyone in the group will be able to access it and then open the PDF from there.

You just can't share the files.zotero.net URL after viewing the file, since that's a temporary URL.

In a future version, we'll be making it possible to share a web library URL right from the desktop app.

@hlpayne the Zotero data folder (under which is the storage folder tree where each PDF has its own folder) cannot be in cloud storage; due to the danger of the Zotero sqlite database in that data folder then being write-able by the cloud app.
https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/data_directory_in_cloud_storage_folder

If the person is not a member of your Zotero group(s) (which contains the PDF), you could make a copy of the PDF (finding it first via right-click Show File) to a cloud folder and then share the cloud service's file link.

Or if you use a cloud service to store a copy of your entire data folder for backup purposes, you could share PDF links from there instead.

In a "linked" PDF attachments setup (where linked PDFs [only] *can* be in a cloud folder) you can share a cloud PDF file link directly; for example from a single cloud folder that contains multiple PDFs (all your PDFs or just a subset). That can be important in a teaching environment, or similar cases where PDF distribution is common. But linked PDF files have significant other restrictions - they don't work in Groups, the web library, nor the mobile apps.
https://www.zotero.org/support/attaching_files#linked_files

Note that in all those scenarios the PDF won't contain any annotations made in the Zotero reader, as those are stored in its database (but can be exported).

As I say above, in a future version, we'll be making it possible to share a web library URL right from the desktop app, which will allow you to quickly share links to synced files with anyone in your group. But if you're asking for the ability to share files publicly without any sort of login, that's not something we have any plans to support — we'd rather not spend all our time dealing with takedown requests and abuse.

I worked with Chat GPT to modify this code to allow copying the Zotero Web Library URI link that was possible with Zutilo on Zotero 6. Here are instructions on how I set up the plug in for this on my computer.

Download the latest version of Actions and Tags from Release Release v2.0.5 · windingwind/zotero-actions-tags · GitHub

Go to Tools > Plug ins > Click the settings cog > Install Plugin from file > Select the Actions and Tags.xpi file you downloaded

Go to Edit > Settings > Actions and Tags then hit the “plus” button to add an action

Name = Copy Web Library URI

Event = None

Operation = Script

Data =



// Check if the selected item is valid

if (!item) return "No item selected.";

// Determine the library type (user or group)

let library = item.library;

let libraryType = library.libraryType; // 'user' or 'group'

let libraryID = library.libraryID; // Library ID

let itemKey = item.key; // Unique key for the item

// Construct the Zotero Web Library URI

let webUri;

if (libraryType === "user") {

webUri = `https://www.zotero.org/users/${libraryID}/items/${itemKey}`;

} else if (libraryType === "group") {

let groupID = Zotero.Libraries.get(libraryID).groupID; // Group ID

webUri = `https://www.zotero.org/groups/${groupID}/items/${itemKey}`;

} else {

return "Unsupported library type.";

}

// Use clipboard helper to copy plain text (URI)

const clipboard = new Zotero.ActionsTags.api.utils.ClipboardHelper();

clipboard.addText(webUri, "text/unicode");

clipboard.copy();

// Return the URI as a confirmation

return `Web Library URI copied to clipboard:\n${webUri}`;






Shortcut = / (Just press this key, it isn’t related to any other command in the interface, but you can use another key if you would like)

Menu label = Copy Web Library URI

Select all checkboxes for where to place the Menu item

Enabled is checked

Hit “Save”

Say “Okay” in the dialogue box

To test, select an entry and press “/” or whatever shortcut you chose. You can also right click and select Trigger action > Copy Web Library URI. In either case you should be able to paste the link in your browser window and be led to the desired file.