Where are lightroom catalogs stored
Author: t | 2025-04-23
Now that we know where our Lightroom catalogs are stored and designated a backup routine. Let’s tackle the critically important topic of where you store that catalog backup. By default, Lightroom stores your main catalog and the backup of that catalog in your computer’s picture folder. In other words, Lightroom stores our main catalog and Where Does Adobe Lightroom store photos? Adobe Lightroom stores photos in its own catalog file, by default. This catalog file is a database of information that Lightroom generates and
Where to Store Your Lightroom Catalog
Limited space on your computer’s internal hard drive or if you want to keep your photos, videos and other files stored away from your computer. By using an external hard drive, you can ensure that all of your important data is kept in a secure place that can easily be backed up.You also have the option of using a NAS or a RAID system, which can provide greater storage capacity and added security. This gives you the ability to store larger media files to accommodate video or high-resolution images.Before you get started, it’s important to note the type of external hard drive you will be using, as some drives may be more suitable for Lightroom Classic than others. As long as the drive is compatible with your operating system and possesses enough storage space, it should work just fine with Lightroom Classic.Where are Lightroom default photos stored?Lightroom default photos are typically stored in the Adobe Lightroom folder which can typically be found in the “Pictures” folder of the user’s designated user folder. This folder can typically be found in the following directory:C:\Users\[User Name]\Pictures\Lightroom. At the root of this directory, there will be several folders, such as 5.0, 6.0, etc, which indicate the versions of the software installed. Inside the folder of the version being used, there will typically be four folders – Catalogs, Develop Presets, Previews, and Slideshow Presets.This is where Lightroom stores your images, previews, presets and catalogs.The folder containing the images imported into Lightroom can also be found in the “Pictures folder, as well. The path is as follows:C:\Users\[User Name]\Pictures\[Lightroom Folder Name] The folder name will correspond with the name of the folder where the images were imported from. In addition to the default file setup, users have the option of selecting their desired location for storing the photos. This can be done by selecting the “Browse” button in the general preferences window in Lightroom, then navigating to the desired folder.Once in the desired folder, simply click the “OK” button, and Lightroom will save all imported images to that folder.Can you change the location of Lightroom catalog?Yes, you can change the location of your Lightroom catalog. It is a simple process. To begin, open Lightroom and go to the Lightroom tab. Under this tab is where you can manage the location of your catalog.From here, you can click ‘Change’ to open the Catalog Settings window. In this window, you will see a ‘Location’ text field. Here you can enter the new location you want to store the Lightroom catalog.After you input the new location, click on the ‘Save’ button. Your catalog will now be moved to the new location. It is important to remember to back up your catalog, as this process can delete any current catalog stored in the same folder.Additionally, being sure to transfer any external settings and preferences, as these will also be deleted. Once all the settings and catalogs have been moved, you can open Lightroom and access your catalog from the new location.. Now that we know where our Lightroom catalogs are stored and designated a backup routine. Let’s tackle the critically important topic of where you store that catalog backup. By default, Lightroom stores your main catalog and the backup of that catalog in your computer’s picture folder. In other words, Lightroom stores our main catalog and Where Does Adobe Lightroom store photos? Adobe Lightroom stores photos in its own catalog file, by default. This catalog file is a database of information that Lightroom generates and Where Is Lightroom Catalog Stored? The default location for Lightroom catalogs on Windows is: C: Users username Pictures Lightroom. However, you can choose to store Lightroom catalogs anywhere on your computer, including external storage devices. If you store your Lightroom catalog on an external storage device, you will have to connect it to To find where your Lightroom catalog is currently stored, go to Catalog Settings. Where is My Lightroom Catalog? Your Lightroom Catalog will be wherever you put it. I’m not saying that to be cheeky. Well, not entirely. But when you created the catalog, you told Lightroom where to store the catalog. That might be on your hard drive or on an external drive. So your catalog will be stored someplace different than say, my Where to Store Your Lightroom Catalog. While there are many important settings in Lightroom, two important settings to review are the locations where you store your A mess, so it might be better to start fresh and make new ones or download ones that I liked. LR now comes with a TON of pre-sets, most of them kind of useless, but some are really good.Anyway, some cleaning up, fresh copies of LR and PS, and it's pushed me into a little more discipline on my organization. #2 Your preset are usually stored in the global location for all catalogs. You can in Lightroom preferences set to store the presets in the same folder as the catalog. You need to go back and copy those location from the old computer to where LrC expects them. This should help: Lightroom Classic – Moving to a New Computer eBook #3 Your preset are usually stored in the global location for all catalogs. You can in Lightroom preferences set to store the presets in the same folder as the catalog. You need to go back and copy those location from the old computer to where LrC expects them. This should help: Lightroom Classic – Moving to a New Computer eBookUnderstood. I thought that I did that when I copied the whole folder over - I assume you are referring to the "sync.lrdata", "preview.lrdata" and "Helper.lrdata" files? I copied all of those over to the new computer in the same folder. #4 Understood. I thought that I did that when I copied the whole folder over - I assume you are referring to the "sync.lrdata", "preview.lrdata" and "Helper.lrdata" files? I copied all of those over to the new computer in the same folder. No I am referring to the Presets folder If it is stored globally, the the link will show you the exact location. In Windows that folder is hidden. I don’t remember where it is located on a Mac.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk #5 No I am referring to the Presets folder If it is stored globally, the the link will show you the exact location. In Windows that folder is hidden. I don’t remember where it is located on a Mac.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Got it. I'll take a look. I'm sure it there somewhere. I've got a Mac, so lord knows....haha Califdan Dan Hartford Photo (Senior Member) #6 During my "cleanup" of the catalog, I spent a lot of time deleting files so I could free up space. I did it through LR. When I'd highlight the images to delete, it gives you an option. "Remove from Lightroom" or "Delete from Disc". I had thought deleting from disc would also remove it from Lightroom. But, no. The image is gone from the disc, but the metadata is still in LR and can't now findComments
Limited space on your computer’s internal hard drive or if you want to keep your photos, videos and other files stored away from your computer. By using an external hard drive, you can ensure that all of your important data is kept in a secure place that can easily be backed up.You also have the option of using a NAS or a RAID system, which can provide greater storage capacity and added security. This gives you the ability to store larger media files to accommodate video or high-resolution images.Before you get started, it’s important to note the type of external hard drive you will be using, as some drives may be more suitable for Lightroom Classic than others. As long as the drive is compatible with your operating system and possesses enough storage space, it should work just fine with Lightroom Classic.Where are Lightroom default photos stored?Lightroom default photos are typically stored in the Adobe Lightroom folder which can typically be found in the “Pictures” folder of the user’s designated user folder. This folder can typically be found in the following directory:C:\Users\[User Name]\Pictures\Lightroom. At the root of this directory, there will be several folders, such as 5.0, 6.0, etc, which indicate the versions of the software installed. Inside the folder of the version being used, there will typically be four folders – Catalogs, Develop Presets, Previews, and Slideshow Presets.This is where Lightroom stores your images, previews, presets and catalogs.The folder containing the images imported into Lightroom can also be found in the “Pictures folder, as well. The path is as follows:C:\Users\[User Name]\Pictures\[Lightroom Folder Name] The folder name will correspond with the name of the folder where the images were imported from. In addition to the default file setup, users have the option of selecting their desired location for storing the photos. This can be done by selecting the “Browse” button in the general preferences window in Lightroom, then navigating to the desired folder.Once in the desired folder, simply click the “OK” button, and Lightroom will save all imported images to that folder.Can you change the location of Lightroom catalog?Yes, you can change the location of your Lightroom catalog. It is a simple process. To begin, open Lightroom and go to the Lightroom tab. Under this tab is where you can manage the location of your catalog.From here, you can click ‘Change’ to open the Catalog Settings window. In this window, you will see a ‘Location’ text field. Here you can enter the new location you want to store the Lightroom catalog.After you input the new location, click on the ‘Save’ button. Your catalog will now be moved to the new location. It is important to remember to back up your catalog, as this process can delete any current catalog stored in the same folder.Additionally, being sure to transfer any external settings and preferences, as these will also be deleted. Once all the settings and catalogs have been moved, you can open Lightroom and access your catalog from the new location.
2025-04-10A mess, so it might be better to start fresh and make new ones or download ones that I liked. LR now comes with a TON of pre-sets, most of them kind of useless, but some are really good.Anyway, some cleaning up, fresh copies of LR and PS, and it's pushed me into a little more discipline on my organization. #2 Your preset are usually stored in the global location for all catalogs. You can in Lightroom preferences set to store the presets in the same folder as the catalog. You need to go back and copy those location from the old computer to where LrC expects them. This should help: Lightroom Classic – Moving to a New Computer eBook #3 Your preset are usually stored in the global location for all catalogs. You can in Lightroom preferences set to store the presets in the same folder as the catalog. You need to go back and copy those location from the old computer to where LrC expects them. This should help: Lightroom Classic – Moving to a New Computer eBookUnderstood. I thought that I did that when I copied the whole folder over - I assume you are referring to the "sync.lrdata", "preview.lrdata" and "Helper.lrdata" files? I copied all of those over to the new computer in the same folder. #4 Understood. I thought that I did that when I copied the whole folder over - I assume you are referring to the "sync.lrdata", "preview.lrdata" and "Helper.lrdata" files? I copied all of those over to the new computer in the same folder. No I am referring to the Presets folder If it is stored globally, the the link will show you the exact location. In Windows that folder is hidden. I don’t remember where it is located on a Mac.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk #5 No I am referring to the Presets folder If it is stored globally, the the link will show you the exact location. In Windows that folder is hidden. I don’t remember where it is located on a Mac.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Got it. I'll take a look. I'm sure it there somewhere. I've got a Mac, so lord knows....haha Califdan Dan Hartford Photo (Senior Member) #6 During my "cleanup" of the catalog, I spent a lot of time deleting files so I could free up space. I did it through LR. When I'd highlight the images to delete, it gives you an option. "Remove from Lightroom" or "Delete from Disc". I had thought deleting from disc would also remove it from Lightroom. But, no. The image is gone from the disc, but the metadata is still in LR and can't now find
2025-04-06Welcome to the Lightroom Queen Forums! We're a friendly bunch, so please feel free to register and join in the conversation. If you're not familiar with forums, you'll find step by step instructions on how to post your first thread under Help at the bottom of the page. You're also welcome to download our free Lightroom Quick Start eBooks and explore our other FAQ resources. Stop struggling with Lightroom! There's no need to spend hours hunting for the answers to your Lightroom Classic questions. All the information you need is in Adobe Lightroom Classic - The Missing FAQ!To help you get started, there's a series of easy tutorials to guide you through a simple workflow. As you grow in confidence, the book switches to a conversational FAQ format, so you can quickly find answers to advanced questions. And better still, the eBooks are updated for every release, so it's always up to date. 12 February 2025 It's Lightroom update time again! See What’s New in Lightroom Classic 14.2, Mobile & Desktop (February 2025)? for Feature updates, new cameras and lenses, and bug fixes. Status Not open for further replies. #1 Lightroom Version Number 13.0.2 Operating System Windows 11 I'm using LR Classic 13.0.2I just installed a new hard drive on my PC and now backing up photos and LR Catalogs.I haven't managed my catalogs very well and now backups are taking forever because I have all the old catalogs with previews.My understanding is that I should just keep the last couple of backups and delete the other backup files.Inside my Lightroom Backups folder is a folder labeled DATA. Inside that are more folders. It would appear that the backups and previews are in the folder DATA Lightroom Catalog - 2-2-v13.previews.lrdata. Inside this folder are a series of folders: 0-9 and A-F. Can someone tell me how to proceed with deleting the old backups to just retain the most recent?Thanks for the help.Bob #2 Looks like you are confusing the previews folder and the backup folder. Lightroom backs up two things: The ’catalogname.lrcat’ file and the ‘catalogname.lrcat-data’ folder. These are compressed in a zip file. By default these zip files are stored in a ‘Backups’ folder inside your catalog folder. The ‘catalogname previews.lrdata’ folder is your previews cache. It is not backed up. #3 I'm using LR Classic 13.0.2I just installed a new hard drive on my PC and now backing up photos and LR Catalogs.I haven't managed my catalogs very well and now backups are taking forever because I have all the old catalogs with previews.My understanding is that I should just keep the last couple of backups and delete the other backup files.Inside my Lightroom Backups folder is a
2025-04-04