Temporary sync on a shared computer keeps collection structure

kalder
Hello,

I am testing the functioning of Zotero in a computer classroom for teaching purposes. While testing on one windows desktop computer, I have logged in with my Zotero account, started syncing, made some trials with the browser connector and Word plugin. All works well.
When I removed the syncing to reset everything from start, I have noticed that the folder structure on the left of Zotero (collections, saved searches and shared groups) from my account were still there. They were empty but the folder architecture stayed.
This may be problematic as multiple users are going to log in with their account and sync.
Is there a way to "reset" the folder structure to default?

Thanks
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    What exactly do you mean by "When I removed the syncing to reset everything from start"?

    When you unlink your sync account, it asks if you want to remove local data. If you don't, your database remains completely intact and nothing is deleted. If you choose to delete local data, it restarts Zotero and deletes the database completely. There shouldn't be any scenario where it only removes some data.
  • kalder
    Well that's exactly what happened in the computer room of the university. I opted to remove local data, and indeed all items were removed. But not the folder structure, which remained just there, although empty (no items in the folders).
    Now there is a lecture break so I cannot go and make another try until next week.

  • dstillman Zotero Team
    I mean, it's just not possible. The code that deletes data when you unlink your account does it by deleting the database file. There's no mechanism by which it could only delete some data in the library.

    You might have then done a new sync, either partially or with an account that only had collections, or you might be storing the database in some sort of non-standard location (e.g., cloud storage folder) that corrupted the database. But Zotero itself cannot only delete items.
  • kalder
    Ok, thanks for the feedback. I'll have a look at the next opportunity!
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