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Known Participant
Sep 29, 2025 8:09 PM UTC
Answered

use a single external hard drive.

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

 

 

 

AlekeCorrect answer
Community Manager
Sep 29, 2025 8:51 PM UTC

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.)*

3 replies

dj_paige
Legend
Sep 29, 2025 9:33 PM UTC
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.

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AlekeCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
Community Manager
Sep 29, 2025 8:51 PM UTC

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

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*(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*
Known Participant
Sep 30, 2025 6:45 PM UTC
TY very much Aleke. Best answer !
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