Zotero 7 app for Windows not opening

ertattersall
I've recently started having issues with the Zotero 7 desktop app opening. Nothing happens when I click the desktop shortcut. Things I have tried:
- Uninstalling and re-installing the app
- Restarting my laptop
- Running the app as an administrator

I read in this thread (https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/109240/zotero-does-not-open) that the issue may be with my security software, but Windows Security does not appear to be blocking any apps, as far as I can tell.

Any other troubleshooting I can try?
  • dstillman
    Is this an institutional computer? Are you running any other security software?
  • Mizevski
    Mine is having the same problem. I was using normally, and then stopped working out of the blue
  • ertattersall
    It is an institutional computer. I've been in contact with my institution's IT staff and have been able to open Zotero by running it in Windows 8 compatibility mode (right click the shortcut > Properties > Compatibility tab > check 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:' and select Windows 8).
  • dstillman
    That’s not a proper solution, though, and might cause other unexpected problems. Are these machines running any security software?
  • ertattersall
    Yes, and that was likely the issue. I've worked with my institution's IT staff and can now run the app normally (i.e., without the Windows 8 compatibility mode).
  • psomm
    What was the proposed solution from the IT staff? I have also an institutional computer running with Windows 11 and Cisco Secure Client. If I try to start the app nothing is happening.
  • dstillman
    @psomm: Please ask your IT department to contact us at support@zotero.org so they can put us in touch with Cisco. It's ridiculous that Cisco hasn't fixed this for everyone after more than a month.
  • psomm
    Thanks for clarification @dstillman. I verified this issue by uninstalling Cisco for a short moment. Without Cisco, Zotero is working fine and as expected. I will reach out to the IT.
  • pembertj
    I am going through the very lengthy process with Cisco to get this formally fixed instead of just adding an exemption into the AMP/Secure client console to exclude zotero.exe....will update when I can
  • caitken5
    @pembertj, do you know if this issue has been resolved? I also have Windows 11 with Cisco installed and am having trouble running Zotero, despite uninstalling and reinstalling and I am wondering if it is the same issue or not. It's been 8 months since you've last commented on this thread, so I hope not!
  • dstillman
    edited April 28, 2025
    @caitken5: Yes, this was supposedly fixed by Cisco in March:

    https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/comment/486950/#Comment_486950

    You should talk to your IT department and make sure you're on the latest version.
  • MPH35
    Update on this from June: Institutional computer with Cisco client and it stopped working for me today. Was fine until yesterday. Whatever the issue on their end is, it is not fixed.
  • dstillman
    @MPH35: This almost certainly wasn't Cisco:

    https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/125065/zotero-not-starting-after-update-to-7-0-16-7-0-18-on-windows-linux
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