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Known Participant
September 29, 2025
Answered

use a single external hard drive.

  • September 29, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 143 views

I have 2 questions here.

1.  Can you import, edit, and export images ... all from and then back to ... the same hard drive?

2.  Seeing as there are 2 "Import" buttons, are there advantages/disadvanteges to using only the "Import"         button seen at the bottom righthand corner, under that panel.   TY

 

LrC 14.5.1

Windows 11

 

 

 

Correct answer Aleke

Hi @Dick_Davis, welcome to the community!
Yes, you can definitely import, edit, and export images all from the same hard drive in Lightroom Classic. A lot of users do this regularly, and Lightroom won’t require you to move files unless you choose to. Just make sure the drive stays connected and accessible throughout the process.


As for the two “Import” buttons, there’s no major difference between them, it really just depends on where you are in the interface and what step you’re on.
Hope that clears things up!
Alek

2 replies

dj_paige
Legend
September 29, 2025
quote

I have 2 questions here.

1.  Can you import, edit, and export images ... all from and then back to ... the same hard drive


By @Dick_Davis

 

You asked this question already, and received answers. https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/import-process-images-then-export-using-a-single-hard-drive/m-p/15518951

 

quote

2.  Seeing as there are 2 "Import" buttons, are there advantages/disadvanteges to using only the "Import"         button seen at the bottom righthand corner, under that panel. 


You have to first open the Import dialog box, so you can click Import in the Library Module. Then, in the Import dialog box, to actually request the photos to be imported, you have to click Import at the bottom right of the Import dialog box.

AlekeCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
Community Manager
September 29, 2025

Hi @Dick_Davis, welcome to the community!
Yes, you can definitely import, edit, and export images all from the same hard drive in Lightroom Classic. A lot of users do this regularly, and Lightroom won’t require you to move files unless you choose to. Just make sure the drive stays connected and accessible throughout the process.


As for the two “Import” buttons, there’s no major difference between them, it really just depends on where you are in the interface and what step you’re on.
Hope that clears things up!
Alek

*(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*
Known Participant
September 30, 2025
TY very much Aleke. Best answer !