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ToddSnAtlanta
Participant
September 11, 2025
Answered

Lightroom Classic

  • September 11, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 148 views

Do I not understand something, or is the Lr Catalog Backup completely useless if you don't have the couple of other files in the directory it operates within?  Why aren't those included? I get it that the images are just links. I've been going along, backing up regularly since Lightroom v.1. to an external drive, thinking I was covered. I finally had a HD fail. Bought a new computer and went to recover from my so-called backups, only to discover that each catalog requires three other files not included in its backup file to be able to open and use the backup.. I've wasted three full days. J Kost, in her tutorial on how to move to another machine, explains it all. But if you can't get those other few files, you are screwed.

 

TIP: If you aren't copying the entire folder the catalog operates within, your backups are usesless if you have to move to aniopther machine.

 

TIP: Dont put your catalog in the Onedrive/Pictures as they recommend. That is another nightmare. Getting those huge files back down from the cloud on to another machine is not fun; and if they hadn't completly synced after you shut down the catalog, those are useless too. It's all a hot mess!

Correct answer JohanElzenga

You do indeed not understand something. Lightroom Classic only needs the two catalog files that are backed up. It can rebuild all the other files in the catalog folder (providing it does have access to the original images). That is why only these two files are backed up and why the backups are far from useless, even if you want to move Lightroom Classic to another machine. Having said that, it makes sense to copy the entire catalog folder to the other machine, rather than using a backup. That saves you time because nothing needs to be rebuilt in that case.

 

4 replies

JohanElzenga
Community Expert
JohanElzengaCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
September 12, 2025

You do indeed not understand something. Lightroom Classic only needs the two catalog files that are backed up. It can rebuild all the other files in the catalog folder (providing it does have access to the original images). That is why only these two files are backed up and why the backups are far from useless, even if you want to move Lightroom Classic to another machine. Having said that, it makes sense to copy the entire catalog folder to the other machine, rather than using a backup. That saves you time because nothing needs to be rebuilt in that case.

 

-- Johan W. Elzenga
    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    September 12, 2025

    How are you doing the backup? If it is done with the Lightroom Classic backup method (Catalog Settings->Backup), you have all the files you need in the backup. Lightroom Classic will re-create other files it needs. 

     

    If you are making backups externally (i.e. not with Lightroom Classic), you may not have all the files you need.

      Rob_Cullen
      Community Expert
      Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 12, 2025

      "If you aren't copying the entire folder the catalog operates within, your backups are usesless" - Not correct if referring only to the catalog.

      The backup ZIP file that is created when you exit LrC contains one major file- the xxx.LRCAT catalog file, and more recently a second file xxx.LRCAT-DATA that contains information about masks. Those "three other files" you speak of are usually re-created when LrC opens. The major one that needs re-creating is the Preview file, and-

      Naturally you need all your camera photo files available for the catalog to link to. The camera files are not backed up by the 'exit LrC' backup- that needs an external method to backup under your control.

       

      Microsoft One-Drive (or anay Cloud location) is definitely not the place for a LrC catalog, or photos (unless there are full local versions also).

      https://www.lightroomqueen.com/disaster-strikes-corrupted-catalog/#restore

       

       

      Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .
      kglad
      Community Expert
      kgladCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 11, 2025

      in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

      p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.



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