1. To back up your Zotero library you will need to locate the Zotero data directory where your Zotero data is stored on your computer. To do this click on the actions button (gear icon) in the Zotero toolbar and select preferences:
   


2. Next, after the Zotero preferences window opens, select the Advanced tab in the preferences window:
   


3. Now select the button Show Data Directory:
   


4. Your Zotero data directory will now be open:
   


5. Reduce, but do not close, the data directory window:
   


6. Now close Zotero and Firefox:
   


7. Go to the Zotero data directory that you reduced in step 5 and move to the next higher level in the file directory:
   
   


8. On the next level of the directory find the folder Zotero_library and copy it:
   


9. Now paste the Zotero_library folder to another data location such as a flash drive:
   


10. Once the data directory has copied to a new location you will have successfully backed up your Zotero library:
    

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