Deleted files remain on disk

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
September 21, 2017
6 replies
3949 views

My photos root folder grew to 1TB, and it seems as though Lightroom has not deleted any of the files that I asked it to. I always import photos, then ask Lightroom to delete from disk the ones I don't want - but those are all still on disk. Therefore, my catalog and my disk are out of sync. Is there any way to determine which files need to be removed from disk?

Basically, I'm looking for a procedure/script that will delete all files from disk that are not present in my catalog. Thoughts?

This topic has been closed for replies.

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PepinVonPamplemooth

Participant

Same thing here but only with tif files!!?? Jpg no problem. Running lightroom classic, on Mac Monterey, files all on external drive.

Rikk Flohr_Photography

You’ve posted to a very old thread. It is highly unlikely that the issue described in this thread, though not impossible, is the same issue which you are currently experiencing. Rather than resurrect an old thread that is seemingly similar, you are better posting to a new thread with fresh, complete information including system information, a complete description of the problem and step-by-step instructions for reproduction.

In the unlikely event the issue is the same, we will merge you back into the appropriate location.

Thank you!

Rikk Flohr: Adobe Photography Org

cmgap

Community Expert

This helped me out when I was cleaning out a clients rogue catalog and it is still working well... http://terrywhite.com/time-to-say-goodbye-to-those-photos/

Let us know if this works for you too.

Abambo

Community Expert

Just to be sure: you chose "Delete from Disk" and not "Remove"...?

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer

guitman423Author

Participant

Just to be sure: you chose "Delete from Disk" and not "Remove"...?

That is what I have done all along, but they files are still on disk in the original location, just no longer referenced in my catalog.

A

Anonymous

To reduce problem try Long Path Tool!

Rob_Cullen

Community Expert

And- Is it possible you imported images already on the Hard-drive using the "Copy" option? which would make a second copy of every photo imported. Delete-from-disk the one (copy) in the Lr catalog and it is gone, but the other (the original) will remain.

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.4.1, Photoshop 27.8, ACR 18.4, Lightroom 9.4, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.3 .

guitman423Author

Participant

And- Is it possible you imported images already on the Hard-drive using the "Copy" option? which would make a second copy of every photo imported. Delete-from-disk the one (copy) in the Lr catalog and it is gone, but the other (the original) will remain.

Hmm, you may be on to something. This catalog was imported from a images already on drive in the first place, perhaps the copy option was used. I'll be able to verify this later today.

Nonetheless, any recommendations for how to now fix this situation? Is there any way to reconcile the catalog with the files-on-disk, with an option to remove the files on disk that do not exist in the catalog?

Abambo

Community Expert

One way I could imagine:

Optional: Mark existing pictures with a keyword (to be sure to be able to select those and keep them apart, if following steps fail)
Import (Synchronize Folder) the new pictures
They enter in a "Previous import" -> select -> delete