Zotero doesn't run with normal permissions

koerdistan
I have never had the app before today. After installing, it did not open, prompting the error message
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u16778832/kc3ec1qzb3fbz7dut2ro.png

When I run it as administrator, it does work like normal (although the word plugin is unresponsive. I click the buttons and nothing happens)

When rightclicking on the zotero shortcut on my desktop, and going to properties > security, I have given all 4 'groups and usernames' read and write permission.

What is wrong, how can I make Zotero run without running it as administrator?
  • dstillman
    You should never run programs like Zotero as administrator — it's insecure and can cause more hard-to-fix problems later.

    This is about the Zotero data directory. If you delete C:\Users\[username]\Zotero and restart Zotero, do you still get this error?

    If so, are you running any non-standard security software on this computer?
  • koerdistan
    Ah good to know about that administrator thing, I didn't know.

    I deleted it and still get the exact same error to the same directory (even though it is now deleted).

    I am pretty sure I don't have any security software other than the regular windows security (windows 10). I had norton antivirus at one point, but I fully deleted it so there shouldn't be any residue left.
  • dstillman
    There might be a problem with the permissions in your home folder — I believe that error shows up if Zotero can't even create the "Zotero" folder in your home folder.

    You should also paste %localappdata% into the address bar in File Explorer and delete the "Zotero" folder there if one exists.
  • koerdistan
    I deleted the zotero file in local (and accidentally in roaming) but both came back as soon as I opened the app and the error still persists.

    Do you know what permissions i should change in my home folder (that is the folder of my username right?) and where I do this?
  • dstillman
    Yes, home folder is the one with your username. You need to make sure that your OS user account has full permission to write to that folder (which it obviously should and does by default).

    You can also test yourself whether you can create a test folder (named "Zotero", even) without being prompted for admin privileges.
  • koerdistan
    Thank you so much, I got it working.
    It was indeed a problem with writing permissions in my home folder.
    Weird that I didn't have that enabled.
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