Question

How to import from NAS without copying to local drive?

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
December 20, 2025
4 replies
266 views

Running PSE24 on MacBookPro M3 running Sequoia 15.6.1. I am trying to import about 80,000 photos/videos from my Synology NAS into the PSE24 catalog. I do NOT want the photos/videos to be stored/duplicated on the Mac, only the catalog index on the Mac which would point to the original on the NAS.

This would be easy, except when I go to File>Get Phots and Videos>From Files and Folders the little check-box next to Copy Files on Import is checked, and it is greyed out so I cannot uncheck it.

Is there a solution to this problem?

Jeff Arola

Community Expert

Did you try any of the Catalog options under File?

https://helpx.adobe.com/in/elements-organizer/using/creating-editing-catalogs.html

J

justdewit64Author

Sorry, I'm not following you. Yes, I can create a new catalog on the Mac, but to populate it I am still using File/Get Photos and Videos/From Files and Folders and the check-box next to Copy Files on Import is checked and greyed out so I cannot uncheck it.

Greg_S.

Community Expert

Sorry Bob, I know nothing about Macs. Let's try @Jeff Arola.

Peru Bob

Community Expert

@Greg_S.

Peru Bob

Community Expert

You can only uncheck it when importing from a removable drive, not a NAS.

J

justdewit64Author

Yes, I understand that I cannot uncheck it. So how do I go about creating a PSE catalog on my Mac with the catalog pointing to the originals stored on the NAS? There must be some solution to this.

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