Word Processor Plugin

NawelBelkessa
Hello,
I have been using zotero (connected in Word) for a while and suddenly when i open word it says that "Word cannot open Zotero.dotm" template.
When i go to the folder where it is supposed to be it is still there and the path is correct. When i try to delete it i can not. And when I check security my name has full control.
I can not even delete the STARTUP to re-install it again, it says that "the file might contain a virus or potentially unwanted software"
Any help please ?
Thanks in advance
  • dstillman
    That sounds like some security software on your system is interfering. If this is an institutional computer, you may need to talk to your IT department.
  • NawelBelkessa
    It is my personal computer
  • dstillman
    edited June 23, 2025
    Are you running third-party security software?

    What's the exact message you're receiving, without paraphrasing? (There are no other results on the internet for that phrase.)

    Did you try deleting the existing Zotero.dotm file with Word closed? (You wouldn't want to delete the STARTUP folder, to be clear.)
  • NawelBelkessa
    No i am not running third party security.
    Here is a screenshot of the error message i get when I open word, and second one is error message when i try to delete Zotero.dotm file
    https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u9437727/cqfr82juyum040bmnlsz.png
    https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u9437727/2cspv7gxgwsls3zn10dz.png
  • adomasven
    Restart your computer and try to remove the file again, then re-add it. If you still see this error, temporarily disable any anti-virus software you have. If you haven't installed anything, then Windows comes with Windows Defender, which you should also try temporarily disabling.
  • NawelBelkessa
    Thank you. I tried all these options and still not working.
    In fact, when i try to delete it in order to install it all over again, it tells me that the file can not be found (while i can find it with my explorer), and I copie-paste the path to be sure it goes to the right place but it can not find it anyways so I don't understand
  • adomasven
    This isn't really a Zotero issue per-se. Either some anti-virus software is interfering with this file, there is an issue with file permissions, or perhaps even your disk. It's hard to say how to fix this without having access to your computer, but you should look for general troubleshooting information regarding the error that you are getting. If you're able to remove that file and then manually put in the good Zotero.dotm file, it should work.
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