Had to reinstall CS6, but need to know how to copy keywords, metadata for old C:

Question

Long story, unless you know the history of Windows 10. I couldn't update to latest editions of Win 10 because the System Reserve partition was too small. So I took the computer (a Dell desktop) to a local technician. He told me not to worry, as he would clone the C: drive to a new SS drive. He couldn't, and neither could I when I tried to copy a mirror image before taking the computer to him. So I never backed up things like keywords, plug-ins, preferences, actions, and metadata. So now I downloaded CS6 again, but discovered to my extreme dismay that none of those were present. I figured as much, but tried it anyway.

So I have several gigs of photos that now I cannot access.

I have the old C: drive. If you can tell me how the tech who did this work can access the key files I need to have, I'll take the drive back to him and ask him to copy those folders/files to a CD. I would need files for metadata, keywords at very least, but also for actions, collections, plug-ins if possible. If that isn't possible (you should know?) what are my options. Would Adobe perform this for me?

Thank you much. You can find me in the corner of my studio drinking straight scotch, so kindly reply soon and thanks

bab

bruceb76700895 · Accepted Answer

Well, the process was really very simple once I realized where the files

were on the old C: drive and how to transfer them. (Did I mention parts of

the old C: drive were already on the new C: drive? No Adobe programs but

all the control data was available.) I just didn't know where to look or

how to transfer the files form old to new. Thanks much to Trevor and his

reference to where files can be found in User, App data, etc. All I had to

do was copy the necessary file and paste it into the new C: drive in the

same place in Adobe or Bridge Preferences. I've managed to regain my key

words, which are found at (User)/App Data/Roaming/Adobe/Bridge CS6, and are

easily found, being Adobe Bridge Keywords.xml. *Note, however, one also

needs to copy and replace "Bridge CS6" in order for the keywords and

labeling to be placed on all the photo files.* Also in Bridge CS6 one will

find the metadata preferences, so one will have all metadata templates

going back to whenever. Collections can also be found under Bridge CS6.

Most of the rest of what might be needed will be found in Photoshop CS6

under Adobe. Thanks again!!

Trevor.Dennis · Answer

Connect the old drive as a second drive to your computer. You might need to go into the BIOS to make sure it boots to the new drive, or you might get a choice when starting the computer.

Make sure that Hidden Files are viewable in File Explorer > View tab. Probably a good idea to do the same with File Extensions

The link below shows where all the various files can be found for Photoshop. I don't have the same information for Bridge, which is where I am guessing the keyword and other information would be found, so if you don't get an answer here, ask your question in the Bridge forum. I am sure you'll know that the EXIF info is embedded in the image file, but I don't know if that extends to keywords.

Photoshop CS6 preference file functions, names, locations

It's an interesting question, so if you find answers outside this forum, please come back and give us a heads up. Even if just a link to the info elsewhere

Good luck

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