Transferring Zotero data & files to new pc

todcoul
edited 3 hours ago
Dear all, although there is documentation on the Zotero site to move Zotero data & files to a new pc, I haven't succeeded yet. My situation is this:

1) I have Zotero (still) running on the old pc, working fine. Useful to know: at some point I moved the files (pdfs &c of books/articles) to a different folder than the standard folder.
2) I have the free Zotero account, but have exceeded the storage quota with 5.6 MB, so if I understand correctly, not all data is synced online. (The files of course exceed 300 MB by a stretch)

Now, I tried the option B (Copy the data folder) but somehow, I couldn't see my data in the zotero app when I moved all the files. I tried two times, but it did not work.

Could anyone help me with this?
I also wondered how moving the data folder to the new pc would have effect on the sync aspect...

I'd be very happy with your help indeed!
yours
Thomas
  • tim820
    edited 1 hour ago
    As long as you had *data* syncing turned on, all your metadata (including the recorded locations of your PDFs) would be stored online (you would be able to see all your items in your web library). Data syncing is free and unlimited, regardless of whether you have hit your online *file* storage limit for attachment files (300 mb free). Only the PDFs beyond your file storage limit would be missing from your web library.

    You say you moved the "files" to a different folder, mentioning only attachment file types. Do you mean you converted from "stored" files to "linked" files ? Or do you just mean you used a custom location for your entire data folder (database files and "stored" PDFs in a non-standard custom location, set under Settings\Advanced\Data Directory Location) ?
    https://www.zotero.org/support/attaching_files#stored_files_and_linked_files

    But whether you are using stored or linked PDFs, option B is indeed the only way to get a complete copy of your library onto your new computer, as all your PDFs were only on your original computer. If you have linked PDFs, there may be an extra step or two involved.
    https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/transferring_a_library
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