Zotero can easily be downloaded on any Windows, Mac and Linux operating system.


1. Go to the  Zotero website and click "Download".

2. Zotero will automatically detect which operating system you are using. Click "Download" under the Zotero version for your operating system.

3. Once the Zotero file has finished downloading, open the file to complete setup.

screenshot of downloading Zotero

To download the Zotero browser extension, the Desktop Application must be installed first. The browser extension is compatible with Safari, Chrome, Edge and Firefox. It will work with the Desktop Application to easily capture citations/ information during the research process.


1. Go to the  Zotero website and click "Download".

2. Zotero will automatically detect which browser you are using. Click "Install (browser name) Connector".

screenshot of Chrome connector download screen

3. Click to allow the extension or add-on to install.

screenshot of pinning chrome extension

4. Sometimes, the Zotero extension is not easily visible in your browser. You may need to "pin" it so it is easier to access. To do so, you will need to open your browser and click on your extension icon (to the right of the search bar) and click the pin icon next to the Zotero extension.

Zotero keeps a record of your citations and can easily produce a bibliography using the Word-Processor Add-on. Please remember to check your citations to ensure they are accurate and follow the proper citation format.


1. Open the Zotero Desktop Application.

2. Click on "Tools" and then "Add-ons". A new window will pop-up. Ensure the Add-on extension for Microsoft Word is enabled.

3. Click on "Edit" tab and then click "Preferences".

4. Click on the "Cite" tab and then the "Word Processors" tab.

cite and word processor screenshot

5. Click on "Install Microsoft Word Add-in".

6. Open Microsoft Word. There should now be a tab for Zotero.

To access your citations anywhere, back-up your attached files, share your citations and work collaboratively as a group, you will need to create a free Zotero account.


1. Open the Zotero Desktop version on your computer.

2. Click on "Edit" and then "Preferences" from the menu bar.

edit and preferences screenshot

3. Click "Sync" and then "Create Account"

sync and create an account screenshot

4. A new screen will open asking you to fill in your registration details.

5. Once you have registered, Zotero will send you a link to confirm your e-mail address. Once you have confirmed your e-mail address, you will need to go back to the Zotero Desktop Version and enter your account information on the screen in Step 3.

6. Click "Set Up Syncing".

7. Select the options you would like to sync and click "ok" (or leave the defaults selected and click "ok").

8. From the Zotero Desktop version, click the "Sync" icon in the top right of the screen. If it is already spinning, it means the syncing process has already begun.

sync icon

9. Go to Zotero.org and click "Log in" from the top right menu.

login screenshot

10. Enter your login information. You should now be able to view your Libraries, collections and resources from the desktop version.

SLC Libraries and Academic Support Centres. (2021, January 25). SLC Libraries Tutorial - Getting Started with Zotero [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Ec6gksR6pTA

Direct Links

If you're unable to install an extension in your browser, you can save web pages or identifiers to your library from this page or with the magic wand button from your web library.