Zotero downloads pdf reports although auto-attach is diabled

tolga.metu · 2025-11-12T18:48:24+00:00

I am trying to add references to publicly available PDF reports and books, and I do not want to save those PDF files to my computer or to my Zotero storage. The "automatically attach associated PDFs...." setting is disabled, and Zotero does not save any articles to my computer. However, when I click the Zotero extension, it automatically saves the associated PDF report/book.
I tried downloading the file and then dragging it to the Zotero app, but that action also duplicates the file in the Zotero pathway. How can I disable the auto-download function?

adamsmith · 2025-11-12T19:00:24+00:00

You'd have to give us an example but if you're looking directly at the PDF and using the extension, Zotero will always download it -- that's the only thing there _is_ to download in that case.

tolga.metu · 2025-11-12T20:36:01+00:00

Yes, I open the PDF files and use the extension to save the reference, and Zotero automatically downloads the file. It appears that I will need to delete the Zotero storage files after saving the reference.

adamsmith · 2025-11-12T20:41:25+00:00

Can you give us an example? It's certainly possible there are alternatives

tolga.metu · 2025-11-12T21:29:13+00:00

I tried this one:
https://iraqenergy.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Water-Report.pdf