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J
JBX90
January 13, 2026
Answered

Lightroom catalogue upgrade opens empty catalogue after migration to new laptop

  • January 13, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 259 views

Hello,

I am experiencing an issue with Lightroom Classic after migrating my catalogue to a new Windows laptop.

Environment

  • Lightroom Classic (latest version via Creative Cloud)
  • Windows (Notebook 1 → old laptop, Notebook 2 → new laptop)
  • Catalogue actively used on Notebook 1, approx. 40gb incl. previews, etc.

 

Original setup (Notebook 1)

  • Catalogue located at: C:\Users\Alexis\Pictures\Lightroom
  • RAW files stored on Google Drive (G:)
  • Lightroom working normally with full library, edits, collections, etc.

 

Migration steps taken

  • Closed Lightroom on Notebook 1
  • Copied the entire folder C:\Users\Alexis\Pictures\Lightroom (including .lrcat, .lrdata folders, previews, sync data, etc.)
  • Transferred this folder to Notebook 2 and placed it at the same path: C:\Users\Alexis\Pictures\Lightroom
  • Deleted any existing Lightroom folders on Notebook 2 beforehand to ensure a clean start
  • Double-clicked the copied catalogue file (Lightroom Catalog.lrcat) on Notebook 2
  • Lightroom prompted that the catalogue needed to be upgraded
  • I clicked Upgrade

 

Problem

  • After the upgrade, Lightroom launches successfully but shows an empty catalogue
  • No folders, no photos, no collections
  • No error messages are shown
  • The original catalogue files still exist on disk

 

I would appreciate guidance on how to correctly open or recover my catalogue with edits.

Cheers!

Correct answer JBX90

Hi @JBX90! I'm glad to know that you've fixed it! Could you please share how you managed to resolve the issue so that other users running into the same issue can benefit as well? 

 

Thanks a lot! 


Exported the catalogue first (selected export under file) and then proceeded with the migration

1 reply

D
drtonyb
Legend
January 14, 2026

@JBX90 

 

If you were using LrC 15.1 on your old laptop, then on the new laptop with LrC 15.1, you would not need to do a catalog upgrade, so I don't think you have opened your working catalog. The one you opened, Lightroom Catalog.lrcat, seems to be an old (default) catalog, which if old, would need an upgrade and would likely be empty.

 

Confirm your working catalog's name on your old laptop. From the LrC menu use File > Open Recent and note which catalog has a check next to it. Ensure that it is in your Pictures\Lightroom folder. If it is not, then you need to find it and copy that to your new laptop.

 

    J
    JBX90Author
    January 14, 2026

    Hi, thank you very much for your help.
    I managed to fix it. I screwed up with the export of the catalogue file, which caused the problem. 
    Thank you once again

    Noel Orridge
    Community Manager
    Noel OrridgeCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    January 14, 2026

    Hi @JBX90! I'm glad to know that you've fixed it! Could you please share how you managed to resolve the issue so that other users running into the same issue can benefit as well? 

     

    Thanks a lot! 

    Noel
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