adobe elements 2020 using windows laptop

I'm sorry, but I don't understand your last post.  If you want to know why you are receiving error or information messages, we need to know the exact wording of the message AND exactly what you are doing before the message appears.  Preferably, you should post a screenshot of the message.  You can only post an image if you are responding on the forum website, not if you are responding by email. 

@Bonnie26642331u0gs said:

There are 2 browse options I assume it is the last picture snapshot C:usergetpictures etc. #2

Yes, I am referring to the #2 which I have placed on the annotated screenshots.  It is my recommendation to use the Advanced Dialog.  If you want to use the Standard Dialog, then you would use the Browse button found there.

@Bonnie26642331u0gs said:

also, when i use my mac i want the DNG I assume the NEF is also raw I ONLY WANT ONE FORMAT THE RAW FORMAT I DO NOT WANT EXTRA FORMATTS SHOWING UP IN THE ORGANIZER NEED AGAIN ONLY ONE FORMAT. ONE PHOTO THAT IS RAW. ;having duplicates of an image is confusing to me that is why I want to be clear only 1 photo and only 1 raw image per photo,

Your original post indicated that you wanted to use DNG/raw images.   Those formats are really only for editing and not for sharing.  Many users, myself included, shoot both raw and jpeg photos.  Since you did not indicate one way or the other, I put in additional recommendations as to how to handle them. 

@Bonnie26642331u0gs said:

if i want a jpeg for printing purposes in the past converted the dng to a jpeg (this was on the MAC) I assume I cannot get a DNG on adobe elements only Nef (can this be converted to Jpeg when I want to send to printer?}

Elements can handle both NEF and DNG files.  Both are raw formats. If you open a raw file in the Adobe Camera Raw Editor, and click the Open button (before or after editing the raw file), you can do a Save As to jpeg format.

@Bonnie26642331u0gs said:

You say" Normally the raw file will appear on top" what top of what?

On top of the stack that is automatically generated for raw+jpeg format files when importing the files via the APD.

@Bonnie26642331u0gs said:

re: the last Screen shot what does this mean "import into album?"

The Organizer uses Albums to categorize photos - similar to keyword tags, but with the advantage of allowing the user to place the images into a custom order.  The APD allows users to automatically place the imported photos into such an album.

@Bonnie26642331u0gs said:

I want the medata to come along with the photo

I don't know what metadata you are referring to.  If you are talking about the metadata inserted by the camera, such as date taken, lens, aperture etc., the information will stay with the photo.

Now, with respect to backups, if you choose to backup your catalog, you can select the location of the backup.  In more recent versions of Elements, there is an option to automatically backup the catalog (without backing up the photos).  However, I think in Elements 2020, the backup requires you to backup both the catalog database files AND the photo files that are referenced in the catalog.  If you have a second external drive, it is always a good idea to backup everything. 

By default, the catalog database files are stored on your internal hard drive (system C drive).  You can move these files which are contained in a folder to your external drive.  But I recommend that you copy them instead on a regular basis, so that you have a backup of your catalog files.  The default name and location of the catalog folder is C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Elements Organizer\Catalogs\My Catalog.  Copy the My Catalog folder for safekeeping on your external drive.  The folder is not very large.

You can turn off the backup nag by going to Edit>Preferences>Files and unchecking the appropriate box.

OK, there's a lot to unpack in your questions.

So, what you want to do is to transfer your photos from your D600 to be saved on your external hard drive, and you want to import those files into your Elements 2020 Organizer catalog.  This can all be done in one operation, using the Adobe Photo Downloader (APD).  If you follow along with the screenshots below, here is what you need to do:

• Click on the Import>From Camera or Card Reader.  (It doesn't matter which method of connection you use.  You can either connect your camera to your computer via a USB cord, or use a card reader to transfer from your memory card.)
• The APD will open and I recommend that you click on the Advanced Mode button which will open a larger dialog window.
• If you already have the camera or card reader connected, it should show up in the dropdown list (1).
• You then use the Browse button (2) to navigate to the folder on your external drive where you want the photos to be stored.  Personally, I use the option to select my main hard drive folder (e.g. My Photos or My Pictures and I instruct the APD to store my camera photos in sub-folders named for the date the photos were taken. 
• Since I take photos in raw+jpeg formats, I also select the option to automatically stack the photos (3).  That way, only one format of each photo is displayed, but I can easily get access to the other format if I need it.  Normally, the raw file will appear on top.
• When the APD opens, it will display all of the photos on the memory card (4) and you can select which ones you want to import.
• After you have made the selection, click the Get Media button  (5) and the APD will do as instructed.

Just to be clear, the photo files will be stored wherever you want them to be.  Importing them into the catalog does not move or copy the files.  The Organizer catalog is a database that merely keeps track of where your photos are stored.  Now, since you are using an external drive to store them, you must make sure that the drive is connected to your computer when you open the Organizer, and you must also make sure that it has the same drive letter as it had when you imported the files to the Organizer.

And, yes, Elements 2020 can handle the NEF files from your D600.

2nd point - want to only use my seagate external drive - when finishing the session on adobe elements 2020 it always asks to back up is this the first backup ? backup  is the question at end of session(do u want to backup or Not?) I want my only backup on my external seems there is a reference to not only an external drive backup but a SECOND BACKUP?, I DO NOT MEAN THE BACKUP AT END OF SESSION

I do not want any photos on my hard drive only on the external seagate drive and into the organizer taking a guess that it has to go thru the pictures on the hard drive then into the external as it downloads from the pictures to the organizer is this an import from card reader? noticed the word skip lower right what is skipping? need raw images/ dng does this program do it?