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26276001knle
Inspiring
May 8, 2023
Answered

I think I deleted my LrC catalog and need help getting the application running again

  • May 8, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 1122 views
First things first:
 
Lightroom Classic version: 12.3 [ 202304101834-a085245c ]
Operating system: Windows 10 - Business Edition
Version: 10.0.22621
 
Application folder: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Lightroom Classic
Library Path: D:\Lightroom Catalog\Lightroom Catalog\Lightroom Catalog-v12.lrcat
Settings Folder: C:\Users\steve\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom
 
All photos are stored on a Synology NAS.
 
The original issue:
I tried to import some photos and the system would hang. I suspect it might have been due to a mistake I made when re-mounting the NAS drive in Windows Explorer but I'm not sure. There were no error messages--just that little circle Windows displays when it's stuck. I tried closing and reopening LrC and then rebooting my system but the problem persisted.
 
In researching on the web I found this article that wasn't an exact match, but "Method 3: Delete the temp folder of Lightroom" seemed as though it was worth a try. I followed the steps, which were to delete the Lightroom folder under C: Users >> [Your username] >> AppDataRoaming >> Adobe. The article said it's a temp folder but I think that's incorrect.
 
In retrospect, that was a bad idea because when I reopened LrC I was first asked if I wanted to convert my catalog to v12. This sounded ominous since I was already using v12. I converted it anyway since it seemed better than the alternative.
 
The current issue:
When LrC opened it didn't have any photos in it and appeared to be what a brand new user would see. I back up frequently and am confident I have the data needed to get back up and running but don't know the best way to do so.
 
Here are my questions:
  1. What did I delete when I deleted the Lightroom folder? From the file locations in the system it appears that my catalog is on the 😧 drive and not the C: drive, which is where the file I deleted is located.
  2. Can someone give me step-by-step instructions on how to resurrect my system? It appears my catalog is still on my 😧 drive so I don't know why I don't see any photos. I'm not technical so the simpler the explanation, the better.
 
Thanks for any advice.
This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Keith Reeder

I didn't try clicking on each file since I didn't know what would happen

 

I specifically said what would happen. Double-clicking would open the catalog.


More accurately, it will open LightRoom, referencing that catalogue.

 

Nothing more or less - it's essentially a no-risk operation

2 replies

Keith Reeder
Keith Reeder
Participating Frequently
May 8, 2023

Have you looked in the Recycle Bin?

2
26276001knleAuthor
Inspiring
May 8, 2023

Yes, and the folder I deleted is there. When I started to restore it, however, Windows asked if I wanted to replace the contents of the existing folders. I don't know why there would be existing folders if I had deleted them. I didn't continue the process since I didn't know exactly what would be getting replaced and it was this "let's try it and see if it works" approach that got me into trouble in the first place. 🙂

dj_paige
dj_paige
Legend
May 8, 2023

Using your operating system's search feature, search all disks for files whose name ends with .LRCAT. These are your catalog files.

 

Open each one found (by double-clicking on it) until you find the catalog of interest.

    2
    26276001knleAuthor
    Inspiring
    May 8, 2023

    I can see my catalog files on my 😧 drive, which is where they've been all along. The folder I deleted was on my C: drive. What confuses me is why my photos disappeared when my catalog hasn't moved. It's also not clear to me what I should do now.

    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    May 8, 2023

    I can see my catalog files on my 😧 drive, which is where they've been all along. The folder I deleted was on my C: drive. What confuses me is why my photos disappeared when my catalog hasn't moved. It's also not clear to me what I should do now.

     

    I provided an instruction that you didn't try (or didn't say you tried): "Open each one found (by double-clicking on it) until you find the catalog of interest."

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