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Zotero Citation Management: Zotero 5 & Connector Installation Instructions

Research/source organizing

What is Zotero?

The Zotero Desktop Application allows you to locally edit, import, and manage your Zotero bibliographic library. If you have the Zotero Connector installed, you can also easily import web-based sources!

Zotero runs as a separate program instead of part of your web browser, and works with Windows, macOS, and Linux. Zotero 5 is downloaded and installed like other computer applications. 

However, you will also need to install the Zotero Connector to allow your browser to save items to your Zotero library.

Installing Zotero

To install and start using Zotero:

  1. Go to the Zotero Download Page.
  2. The website should auto-detect your operating system and offer an appropriate link.  Click the link to download the install file and install Zotero on your system.
  3. Once installed, link your desktop application with your Zotero account.
    • For Windows & Linux Users: Edit > Preferences > Sync > Link Account
    • For macOS Users: Zotero > Preferences > Sync > Link Account
  4. On the same page as the application download link, there are links to download browser connectors.  Download the appropriate connector for the browser of your choice and install it.
  5. You are ready to use Zotero Standalone in conjunction with the browser you downloaded extensions for!

What about Word Processor Plugins for Zotero Standalone?

To utilize the features in Microsoft Word and Google Docs, you will need to download the Zotero plug-ins. Instructions are given on Zotero's Word Processor Plug-Ins documentation page.

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