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Dec 20, 2025 10:31 PM UTC
Question

How to import from NAS without copying to local drive?

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?

6 replies

Jeff Arola
Community Expert
Community Expert
Dec 23, 2025 5:26 AM UTC

Did you try any of the Catalog options under File?

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

 

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Dec 26, 2025 4:44 PM UTC

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.   

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Greg_S.
Community Expert
Community Expert
Dec 22, 2025 8:29 PM UTC

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

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Peru Bob
Community Expert
Community Expert
Dec 22, 2025 7:07 PM UTC

@Greg_S. 

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Peru Bob
Community Expert
Community Expert
Dec 21, 2025 6:37 PM UTC

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

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Dec 22, 2025 4:25 PM UTC

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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