Can't open my work folder "Portfolio 2", auto created a "Portoflio 3"?

Forum|Forum|9 years ago
December 31, 2016
2 replies
507 views

The other day I was working on Lr and it froze and closed out. When I tried opening it said that it could not open because it was being used by another user. I kept trying and it asked to open a new Portfolio. I did but pretty much it contains my older photos but all my 2016 are missing. I know my Portfolio 2 is in my hard drive but how can I bring it back as my workspace?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Rob_Cullen

If you have created a new catalog called "Portfolio 3", it will be empty unless you did some importing of photos into it.

It will be quite safe to use your operating system to delete the "Portfolio 3.LRCAT". Like an empty database, or a blank word document, there is no problem in deleting an empty catalog.

If you did any importing and editing in "Portfolio 3" then you would lose that work when deleted. But there is a way to combine the two catalogs (2 & 3) if necessary. If you moved or renamed files in "Portfolio 3" then you may need further advice to fix.

Just Shoot Me

Legend

Search your hard drive for a file that ends with .lock. Delete that file.

When LR crashed it left behind that Lock File which cause the Error used by another user. Once that file is deleted you will be able to open your original catalog file.

Rob_Cullen

Community Expert

used by another user

This error message appears after Lightroom has crashed or has not been closed correctly.

When Lightroom is running, a temporary file is created that is named with the suffix .LOCK

When you close Lr correctly this xxxx.LOCK file is automatically deleted.

This xxxx.LOCK file is what prevents the catalog opening, and results in the error message preventing you from opening this catalog.

The remedy is to close Lightroom, locate your problem catalog (Portfolio 2....?) using the OS Finder/File Explorer, and delete the file that ends with .LOCK and restart Lightroom. (Your system must allow you to see file-type suffix!)

CAUTION: Do not delete the catalog file that ends with .LRCAT

The Adobe help page for this is-

Lightroom catalog cannot be opened

Note- If you create a 'new' "Portofolio 3" catalog, it is a new empty catalog. Do not do this, instead follow the above advice to have "Portfolio 2" working.

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.3, Photoshop 27.5, ACR 18.3, Lightroom 9.3, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.3 .

jeannetteny7Author

Participating Frequently

Thanks so much for the response. I was able to locate it however what would happen if did create the "3" will that override it when I open Lr or should I delete it?

Rob_Cullen

Correct answer

Community Expert

If you have created a new catalog called "Portfolio 3", it will be empty unless you did some importing of photos into it.

It will be quite safe to use your operating system to delete the "Portfolio 3.LRCAT". Like an empty database, or a blank word document, there is no problem in deleting an empty catalog.

If you did any importing and editing in "Portfolio 3" then you would lose that work when deleted. But there is a way to combine the two catalogs (2 & 3) if necessary. If you moved or renamed files in "Portfolio 3" then you may need further advice to fix.

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.3, Photoshop 27.5, ACR 18.3, Lightroom 9.3, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.3 .

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