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finns73888201
finns73888201
Participating Frequently
March 10, 2024
Answered

Lightroom restore of backup

  • March 10, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 437 views

Operating system: Windows 11 - Home Premium Edition x64

Lightroom Classic version: 13.2 [ 202402141005-bf1aeb84 ]

 

I had to restore all Lightroom files from backup to a new PC. I copied all image files and all folders and files under the main Lightroom folder to the new PC.
Drive letters on the new PC are different from the old PC. Instead of using Lightroom’s Locate command, to find missing files, I used the Import command. This resulted in losing all information about editing of the image files from the backup in Lightroom.

 

Is it possible to reverse the Import command and use the Locate command instead or do I have to delete all files from the downloaded backup on the new PC and do the whole installation process again?

 

Or is it possible to restore only files and folder under the main Lightroom folder and then use the Locate command in Lightroom to find missing files?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer dj_paige

    In the LrC Catalog, remove the files that you just imported (but do not delete them from disk).

     

    Then do this: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/restore-backups-2021/

     

    Please note: Importing a photo that has previously been imported is almost never a good idea.

    2 replies

    dj_paige
    dj_paigeCorrect answer
    Legend
    March 10, 2024

    In the LrC Catalog, remove the files that you just imported (but do not delete them from disk).

     

    Then do this: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/restore-backups-2021/

     

    Please note: Importing a photo that has previously been imported is almost never a good idea.

      B
      Community Expert
      Bill SpragueCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 10, 2024

      Please be very careful. 

       

      Importing the same images to an existing catalog should create a mess of  dupicates linked and undlinked.  You can't undo that. 

       

      If it were me,  I would delete everything on the new computer and start over.  It is important to preserve both the image files and the Lightroom Classic catalog system.   Be sure you are using the last good catalog files from the old computer. 

       

      Victoria Brampton, the Lightroom Queen, has an excellent tutorial on how to move to a new computer the right way.   https://www.lightroomqueen.com/how-move-lightroom-to-new-computer/

      finns73888201
      finns73888201Author
      Participating Frequently
      March 13, 2024

      Thank you for sending me an advice on how to fix my problem. As you wrote, I ended up having to delete everything on my new computer and start over. I followed the link in the message you sent me and it did the trick.

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