Skip to main content
K
kur_8243
Known Participant
June 14, 2026
Answered

How can I make Lightroom Classic store all photos and exports only on an external hard drive?

  • June 14, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 30 views

I am using Lightroom Classic and I have a storage issue.

Whenever I import photos into Lightroom or export them as JPEGs, it seems that copies of the files are being stored on my computer's internal drive. I would like to avoid this because my internal storage fills up very quickly.

Some time ago, I copied all of my camera photos from the memory card directly to an external hard drive, and I want the original files to remain there. When I export photos as JPEGs, I also want those JPEG files to be saved directly to the external hard drive.

My goal is that no photo files are stored on my computer's internal drive at all—only on the external hard drive.

How can I configure Lightroom Classic so that both the original photos and the exported JPEGs are stored only on my external hard drive and nothing is saved on my computer's internal drive?

    Correct answer dj_paige

    The location where you import to or export to is entirely under your control. In the import dialog box, select COPY at the top and then on the right there is a Destination panel where you can choose the disk drive and folder where the imports are stored. See the documentation at https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/importing-photos-lightroom-basic-workflow.html and scroll down to item #5 “Tell Lightroom Classic where to put your photos”

     

    In the Export dialog box you can choose the folder location where exports should go, its at  the top entitled Export Location. See the documentation at https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/export-files-disk-or-cd.html

    2 replies

    K
    kur_8243Author
    Known Participant
    June 14, 2026

    Thank you for your reply.

    What about Lightroom presets and previews? Are those stored on the internal drive?

    If I choose Add instead of Copy when importing, and my photos are already located on an external hard drive, Lightroom should simply reference those files without creating additional copies, correct?

    Also, if I select a folder on my external hard drive as the export destination, then the exported JPEGs should be saved only to the external drive and not to my computer's internal drive, right?

    I understand that the Lightroom catalog itself is stored on the internal drive, and I am aware of that. My main concern is whether Lightroom creates additional copies of my photos or exported JPEGs on the internal drive without me noticing

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 14, 2026

    What about Lightroom presets and previews? Are those stored on the internal drive?

    Yes, the default is your internal drive, but you can change this to your catalog folder (see also one but last answer).

     

    If I choose Add instead of Copy when importing, and my photos are already located on an external hard drive, Lightroom should simply reference those files without creating additional copies, correct?

    Correct.

     

    Also, if I select a folder on my external hard drive as the export destination, then the exported JPEGs should be saved only to the external drive and not to my computer's internal drive, right?

    Correct.

     

    I understand that the Lightroom catalog itself is stored on the internal drive, and I am aware of that.

    Your catalog can be stored on an external drive if you prefer that. Just move the entire catalog folder to the external drive, open the folder and launch Lightroom Classic by double clicking the catalog file. Now Lightroom knows the new location.

     

    My main concern is whether Lightroom creates additional copies of my photos or exported JPEGs on the internal drive without me noticing.

    It does not do that.

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
    dj_paige
    dj_paigeCorrect answer
    Legend
    June 14, 2026

    The location where you import to or export to is entirely under your control. In the import dialog box, select COPY at the top and then on the right there is a Destination panel where you can choose the disk drive and folder where the imports are stored. See the documentation at https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/importing-photos-lightroom-basic-workflow.html and scroll down to item #5 “Tell Lightroom Classic where to put your photos”

     

    In the Export dialog box you can choose the folder location where exports should go, its at  the top entitled Export Location. See the documentation at https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/export-files-disk-or-cd.html

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices