Zotero : Installing

There are two steps to installing Zotero: installing the application itself, then adding a browser connector. The word processor plugin will be added automatically with the Zotero application.

Step 1: Installing Zotero

• Go to the Zotero download page. It can tell whether you're running Windows, Mac, or Linux, and offer you the proper install file.
• Download and install the application. See the installation instructions for more help.
• Run the application to make sure it works.

The word processor plugin was installed with the application, so you don't need to do anything special.

Step 2: Installing the connector

• Go back to the download page. This time, click on the "install connector" button on the right.
• The Zotero Connector will be installed in your browser.
• If you can't see a new Zotero button (a Z) in your browser's address bar, click on the Extensions button (it looks like a jigsaw puzzle piece) and use the "show in toolbar" or "pin to toolbar" option to make it appear. See also: Why is there no save button in my browser toolbar?
• Go to a new web page and use the Save to Zotero button to make sure it works.

If you use a Mac and Safari: the connector is installed automatically, so you don't need to add it specially. You still need to enable to extension, though—see the short video below. And if you use Firefox or Chrome you'll need to install a connector the same as others. See also Zotero's Zotero Connector and Safari page.

This video shows how to install Zotero 7 on Windows, and how to add connectors in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

The Safari Connector is included when you install Zotero on a Mac, so you don't need to add it specially. But you do need to enable the extension to see the Save to Zotero button in the address bar. Go to Safari's Settings, then Extensions, and look for Zotero to give it permissions. This short video (made by Tim Miller, a librarian at Cal Poly Humboldt) shows how to do that.

If you are having problems installing Zotero, first review the system requirements.

Additional help is available via Zotero forums. Just search for: installation.

Help is also available through our Ask & Services page.

Zotero's has mobile versions for iOS and Android (in beta).

Zotero's support page has links to all the documentation.

Search the Zotero forums to find answers to common questions, or to submit a "New Discussion".

For more options and answers to common problems, go to our Ask & Services.