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Sherry27520529cbtn
Participating Frequently
May 29, 2026
Answered

Photos were moved to a separate hard drive, but the file location information didn't update.

  • May 29, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 23 views

Several years ago I was using PSE 2023, with all my photo files stored on my C: drive.  I did not continue PSE since then.  When I was not using the PSE system, I moved all the photos to an external hard drive.  There are no photos at all on my C: drive currently.

Today I purchased a new subscription for PSE 2026.  I thought I would be able to use the Organizer to Get Photos like I had done before, and I would tell the Organizer where the photo files were now located.

However, PSE 2026 apparently recognized the OLD files, although they no longer reside on the C: drive.  The photos are still in PSE 2026, but now the file locations are all wrong.  

How can I get the PSE 2026 to show the photo files on the correct D: drive, while still keeping all of the tags and other descriptions I had added previously?  Thanks for any help!

 

 

    Correct answer Greg_S.

    I assume that you moved all the photos to the external hard drive outside of the Organizer.  That would be when the problem arose.  

    I also assume that when you first installed Elements 2026, you accepted the invitation to use your old catalog.  If that is the case, then the photos would also be treated as missing in your Elements 2026 catalog.  

    If I am correct about what you did, then you need to do the following:

    Go to File>Reconnect>All Missing Files.

    The Organizer will then search for the missing files.  To speed the process along, you can use the Browse button dialog to point the program in the right direction - your external drive.  Once the first files are reconnected, all files should be automatically reconnected.  The process may take a long time.

     

    Let us know how this goes or if you have any other questions about the process.  There are other ways to perform this action which may be faster, but you still need to keep a watch on what is happening in order to speed up the process.

    2 replies

    S
    Sherry27520529cbtnAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    May 30, 2026

    Thanks so much for your kind reply!  It took me some time, but I was able to get all the file locations corrected.  

      Greg_S.
      Community Expert
      Greg_S.Community ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      May 29, 2026

      I assume that you moved all the photos to the external hard drive outside of the Organizer.  That would be when the problem arose.  

      I also assume that when you first installed Elements 2026, you accepted the invitation to use your old catalog.  If that is the case, then the photos would also be treated as missing in your Elements 2026 catalog.  

      If I am correct about what you did, then you need to do the following:

      Go to File>Reconnect>All Missing Files.

      The Organizer will then search for the missing files.  To speed the process along, you can use the Browse button dialog to point the program in the right direction - your external drive.  Once the first files are reconnected, all files should be automatically reconnected.  The process may take a long time.

       

      Let us know how this goes or if you have any other questions about the process.  There are other ways to perform this action which may be faster, but you still need to keep a watch on what is happening in order to speed up the process.

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