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Participant
May 1, 2017
Question

Deleting files but still no space on harddrive

  • May 1, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 4356 views

I was told by Apple to contact Adobe regarding my issue. I have been deleting photos out of lightroom and yet it is not making a difference on my space on my hard drive.

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    ManiacJoe
    Inspiring
    May 1, 2017

    Your photo files are not "in" Lightroom.

    The photo files are on your hard drive, just like your documents and spreadsheets.

    The photo files are referenced by Lightroom using the path and file names.

    The references inside the catalog to your files takes up little space, so removing the photos from the catalog does not buy you much.

    The things that take up the space on your hard drive(s):

    The catalog (*.LrCat) file that contains all your edits.

    The preview files used by LR to speed up the display of your files.

    The optional smart preview files, used when your original image files are not available.

    Your original image files.

    The new image files created by exporting your edits.

    The preview files can be deleted and LR will recreate them as needed.

    Your original image files are important and should not be deleted. You can move them to a different hard drive if needed.

    Participant
    May 1, 2017

    I guess I wasn't clear. When deleting from my catalogue, I am deleting from the disk, so the files should be gone. Apple stated that sometimes LR creates hidden files and are not easy to locate and that's why my "other" file is taking so much space on my hard drive.

    Bob Somrak
    Legend
    May 1, 2017

    Empty your Trash.

    M4 Pro Mac Mini. 48GB
    Sean McCormack
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    May 1, 2017

    You need to restart Lightroom to have files delete fully. Lightroom tends to hold on to them just in case you need to undo. Empty Trash/Recyle Bin as well.

    Sean McCormack. Author of 'Essential Development 3'. Magazine Writer. Former Official Fuji X-Photographer.
    Participant
    May 1, 2017

    I close LR completely so that's not the issue.