Skip to main content
T
Turkeyboycove
Participant
February 12, 2017
Answered

Lightroom Importing Issue "...destination folder is not writable".

  • February 12, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 5152 views

HELP!!! I all having some importing issues with Lightroom CC 2015. I have attempted to import photos from card reader and the camera, but it won't import any photos. It keeps stating "Some import operations were not performed. The following files are were not imported because they could not be read or the designation folder is not writable."

This is the first I'm having this issue. I've tried reseting the preferences and restarting. I've shut down my iMac and rebooted, and relaunch LR. It didn't helped. PLEASE ADVISE. Thank you.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer DdeGannes

    This error message is typical of a permission problem with the destination folder to which you are copying your image.  Using your OS's tools verify that your User ID has read/write permissions on the folder where the images will ultimately end up.

    If you do a search you can find lots of posts on this issue. On the Mac to check the permissions of a folder, right click on the folder and select "get info" a dialog box will pop up and display the path to the folder.

    1 reply

    DdeGannes
    Community Expert
    DdeGannesCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    February 12, 2017

    This error message is typical of a permission problem with the destination folder to which you are copying your image.  Using your OS's tools verify that your User ID has read/write permissions on the folder where the images will ultimately end up.

    If you do a search you can find lots of posts on this issue. On the Mac to check the permissions of a folder, right click on the folder and select "get info" a dialog box will pop up and display the path to the folder.

    Regards, Denis: iMac 27” mid-2015, macOS 11.7.10 Big Sur; 2TB SSD, 24 GB Ram, GPU 2 GB; LrC 12.5,; Lr 6.5, PS 24.7,; ACR 15.5,; (also Laptop Win 11, ver 24H2, LrC 15.0.1, PS 27.0; ) Camera Oly OM-D E-M1.
      rudyo26457023
      rudyo26457023
      Participant
      March 27, 2017

      Hi: I am having a similar problem and I posted this on another thread last week and didn't see a reply yet. I checked the threads for this known bug and most of the issues focus on OSX Sierra, NOT Windows 8.1.

      I, like others, don't see the destination folder option when I import files to Lightroom from my machine using Windows.8.1. Before this becomes a mess, I need to fix/repair this bug so I can manage my files right from the start. What you have described in two posts does not correlate to what I see. There is no destination folder to import a photo file to.

      I use the following (just upgraded last week from Lightroom/CC 5.8 to 5.9)

      Lightroom version: CC 2015.9

      License: Creative Cloud

      Operating system: Windows 8.1

      Version: 6.3

      I would like to be able to set destination folders so I can manage the thousands of photos I will need to start working with. Thanks if you can help. I can't find a solution on Google or Adobe's forums with my system setup. I can send a screen snapshot of what I see as I prepare to import my files. Thanks.

      Rudy

      rudyo26457023
      rudyo26457023
      Participant
      March 28, 2017

      @  rudyyo26457023 this permissions issue is not a Lightroom Bug. The error message is just a bit misleading. This is how Lightroom has been functioning since inception.

      This error message "the files could not be read happens when trying to import using the move or copy options, it does not occur when you use the ADD option.

      When you choose to move/copy files during the import process there are two functions to be performed.

      First copy the files from their existing location e,g SD Card in Camera / Card reader or from an existing location on a HDD to a new location.(the Destination Folder). If that intended Destination Folder does not have Write Permissions this process cannot be completed. This is an Operating System issue.

      The next step would be for Lightroom to read the info from the new location / Destination Folder.

      Since the files are not at the expected location then they could not be READ.

      See the screen captures.

      In the screen capture the files are being Copied from an SD Card to the HDD via. the following path.

      From the panel at the right side:  Destination> Macintosh HD> Users> denisdegannes> pictures> my pictures> 2017 - Jan-June> 2017-03-25.

      The user must have Read and Write permissions for this folder within their operating.

      This issue is applicable to both Mac and Win systems but I would agree that it crops up more often when Apple updates their OS X system.


      Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure I'm fully tracking here. Your replysaid:

      ///First copy the files from their existing location e,g SD Card in Camera / Card reader or from an existing location on a HDD to a new location.(the Destination Folder). If that intended Destination Folder does not have Write Permissions this process cannot be completed. This is an Operating System issue.///

      When I open Lightroom, and choose the "Import" feature, it does not acknowledge that I can choose any destination folder, as others have noted. The feature fails. That is the key feature I need to work moving forward with thousands of photos, so I hope to get this right.

      I can access both my C: drive and our shared system drives of my organization. I should be able to choose a destination on my C: drive. But nothing works as it should with the import feature. When I use Lightroom on my personal computer at home, the options for destination automatically appear. This is not the case here. I have shared your explanation with our IT staff, but shouldn't my C: appear?

      Do you want my screen snapshots? Thanks very much.

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices