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johnd59898678
Inspiring
January 29, 2026
Answered

Transfer 50+ DW Sites from 2019 Intel Mac Pro (Sonoma) to M3 MacBook Pro (Tahoe)?

  • January 29, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 8 views

My main computer is a 2019 Intel Mac Pro running Sonoma and the latest version of DW.

I am being forced to move ALL my 50+ DW sites to my MacBook Pro running Tahoe and the latest version of DW.

I have read some articles on how to Export/Import .ste files. I want to copy ALL my server connections (user names, passwords, i.p. address settings, etc.), so from what I gather I should choose the Backup vs the Share export option… is that right?

My main concern (if I understand the process correctly) is Export Backup option also retains pointers to all the actual site root folders for each of my customers’ actual images, assets, etc. used on their websites which now all 50+ of those folders are located on my Mac Pro. So if I export my .ste files on the Mac Pro and then import those into the MacBook Pro, those pointers will no longer be valid? I am guessing I will need to copy all those website root assets folders manually onto my MacBook Pro before I do the Import, BUT how will DW locate those relocated assets as (I am guessing) it will be looking for those in their previous Mac Pro locations?

    Correct answer Nancy OShea

    Go to Site ⇒ Manage Sites.

    Highlight all sites in panel.

    Click on Export icon as shown in screenshot.

    NOTE 1: The first site selected will be the name of your .STE file.

    NOTE 2: This does NOT copy your local site folder files. You must do that manually.

    Save .STE to a USB or media stick.

    On new machine, import .STE from your media stick.

     

    Post back if you need more help.

     

     

    3 replies

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 29, 2026

    I am guessing I will need to copy all those website root assets folders manually onto my MacBook Pro before I do the Import, BUT how will DW locate those relocated assets as (I am guessing) it will be looking for those in their previous Mac Pro locations?

     

    Yes. Manually amend your Site Definition Settings to point to new volume/path/local site folder/. 

    When done, Export .STE files again in case you ever need to re-import them.

     

    Good luck.

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    J
    johnd59898678Author
    Inspiring
    January 30, 2026

    What you suggested appears to have worked. Tedious with about 50 sites to redirect paths manually one at a time, but at least when I would import a .ste file, DW would prompt me automatically with a dialog each time to redefine the folder path. From the testing I have done so far all of the server connection setting survived in tact. Thanks for your help!

    (Now if I could just find a Extension Manager that would work on my old computer running Sonoma!)

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    January 29, 2026

    Go to Site ⇒ Manage Sites.

    Highlight all sites in panel.

    Click on Export icon as shown in screenshot.

    NOTE 1: The first site selected will be the name of your .STE file.

    NOTE 2: This does NOT copy your local site folder files. You must do that manually.

    Save .STE to a USB or media stick.

    On new machine, import .STE from your media stick.

     

    Post back if you need more help.

     

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
      B
      Community Expert
      Ben MCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 29, 2026

      You have 2 options to backup and move the site definitions:

      1. Go to the Site Manager (Site → Manage Sites) and export all sites individually. Then open DW on the new computer and import all individually
      2. Go to your user Library\Application Support\Adobe\Common\21.0\Sites\Site Prefs . Copy this file to your new computer in the same location

      Both of those will move the site definitions to the new computer.

       

      To your other point on the moving of actual files yes you will need to do that or grab them from the remote server. If you do not put the sites into the same location on your hard drive, then you need to point the local site root folder to the new location, but all of your connection details will be saved and allow you to connect to your remote/testing servers. This is unless your testing server was local and it’s location has changed on your new local computer in which case you will have to update that as well.

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