# Open library from NAS - windows vs linux

**URL:** <https://discourse.jabref.org/t/open-library-from-nas-windows-vs-linux/2283>\
**Category:** Help\
**Created:** [September 7, 2020, 8:56am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/open-library-from-nas-windows-vs-linux/2283 "2020-09-07T08:56:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kaktux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@kaktux](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/kaktux)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2020, 8:56am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/open-library-from-nas-windows-vs-linux/2283/1 "2020-09-07T08:56:16Z")

</div>

Hi there,

maybe a dumb question: but i just started using jabref as main library manager for about 2 weeks now. Mainly at work on a windows (10) pc with the bib file stored on a local NAS drive.  
On windows i can easily open the bib file. Now i wanted to try on linux (current ubuntu) - but i can’t select the nas drive. Via file manager i can access the drive (using samba)- but can’t navigate to the bib file - and therefore can’t open the bib file. Didnt get it to work with my attempts to solve this issue. So any hint would be great.  
Is there a difference in the way jabref accesess network drives on win and linux? Or what am i missing?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Siedlerchr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/siedlerchr/32/216_2.png) [@Siedlerchr](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/Siedlerchr)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/open-library-from-nas-windows-vs-linux/2283/2 "2020-09-07T16:49:06Z")

</div>

Hi

are you using the snap version of JabRef under Ubuntu? Then it might be a security thing, because the snaps are sandboxed. @LyzardKing can probably say more  
You could try to open the bib file with drag and drop on the tab bar.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![LyzardKing](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/lyzardking/32/732_2.png) [@LyzardKing](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/LyzardKing)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2020, 5:01pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/open-library-from-nas-windows-vs-linux/2283/3 "2020-09-07T17:01:36Z")

</div>

hey @kaktux  
If you have the snap installed you have to give it permission to read/write removable drives (it should work for network drives as well) by running:  
snap connect jabref:removable-media

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kaktux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@kaktux](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/kaktux)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2020, 7:07am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/open-library-from-nas-windows-vs-linux/2283/4 "2020-09-08T07:07:56Z")

</div>

i installed it via [jabref.org](http://jabref.org) -\> downloads. To be honest i saw linux and clicked (i trust you guys 😉 ). As i use kde and discover - wich supports snaps and flatpack i actually didnt notice if its snap or not.  
I just checked and only found a .deb there .

I couldnt find snap via the jabref page - but guess its the one package available in the snap store 😉  
I remember having the same problem when i used a snap of zotero (which i used until recently)-

I’ll try the drag & drop anyways when i am at the linux pc again.
