Zotero keeps reverting to an older version on my Macbook pro

p.mullins · May 25, 2025

I have recently run into a problem where my Zotero keeps reverting to Zotero 6.0.26, despite my repeatedly upgrading to the latest version (7.0.15). I can upgrade fine, and then when I open Zotero, it is the latest verison 7.0.15, which then works as it should with the zotero extensiuon in firefox, and the plugin for word. However, it then seems that either overnight, or on some other random schedule, Zotero will revert to 6.0.26. I'm trying to see if I can directly cause the reversion through opening and closing zotero, or logging out and restarting etc, but I have a feeling that is not what triggers the reversion. This is a nuisance, as my macbook is a "managed" work system, and so I need to request admin privileges to install zotero each time, and while it doesn't really take much time to do so, it is annoying to have to do so seemingly every day.
Has this been reported before? Does anyone have an idea as to what may be causing this?

aborel · May 25, 2025

I suspect your machine management system is re-installing the version approved by your IT staff. You should ask them.

p.mullins · May 29, 2025

Hi, I suspected that as well, and did ask, but my central IT says they do not have any such rule, and do not actually manage zotero, allowing me to install it myself. I doubt it's that. Any other ideas as to why it might be sticking/reverting to the older version?

Alternatively, can someone point me to a good guide on uninstalling zotero? I might then be able to do a completely clean re-install and see if that helps. I am concerned there is some configuration file or something that hangs around in the background on my Mac and causes the reversion.

dstillman · May 29, 2025

It's just an app in Applications. You can delete it and reinstall it like any other Mac app. But that's unlikely to fix this. There's no way for Zotero to revert to an older version on its own, so that's definitely something happening from your IT department or some other third-party software installed on your computer.