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Participant
February 24, 2024
Question

Using Elements Organizer on two computers and pictures on OneDrive

  • February 24, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 520 views

Is it possible to use Photoshop Elements 2024 on two computers (not at the same time) with the photos stored on OneDrive?  I have a desktop and a laptop.  Each computer would connect to the Pictures folder on OneDrive.  They would/should share the same catalog.  

My desktop has a large number of pictures that have accumulated over the years from backups of old computers and copied from friends.  I would like to slowly add these to the OneDrive and then catalog and edit from my laptop.  

I have looked at various posts and I'm not sure Photoshop Elements is the best choice for this project.  But I have used it in the past and am most familiar with the interface.

Thanks for your help.

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2 replies

Greg_S.
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 8, 2024

Elements cannot use the photos stored in the OneDrive Cloud.  It can only use the files stored on a local hard drive (or the Elements Cloud).  I have never used OneDrive local folders to store my photos but I assume it will work.  If it does, you will also have to store the Elements Catalog folder on OneDrive.  Otherwise, changes made on one computer will not appear on the other.

 

However, even if it is possible, in my opinion, the better solution is to use a shared external drive between the two computers.

The shared drive must have both the media files and the catalog folder.  It must also be set up to have the same drive letter on each computer.

In general, the easiest way to do this is to backup your original catalog and restore it to the external drive. 

  • Depending on the restore options you choose, you will probably end up with the catalog folder located under the folder that you chose to restore the backup to.  I recommend moving it out of that media folder to anywhere else on the external drive.
  • Make sure that the external drive is given the same drive letter on both computers. 
  • Using each computer, search for/browse to the following file on the external drive:  catalog.pseXXdb.  Substitute XX for the version number of your program.  For Elements 2024, the name will be catalog.pse24db.  Be careful with earlier versions, since although the version numbers from Elements 16 to 21 continue in sequential order, the marketing names run from Elements 2018 to Elements 2023.  Starting with Elements 2024, the numbers represent the last two numbers of the year.
  • Double-click on the db file and the catalog will open in the Organizer.

 

For further details about backing up and restoring a catalog, see this HelpX article.

Participant
August 19, 2024

I have the same question. 

Participant
November 7, 2024

I would like to accomplish the same only via external drive.