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Participant
October 1, 2023
Question

Accidentally deleted images in LightRoom (to TrashCan), is there a way to restore files AND edits?

  • October 1, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 422 views

I accidently deleted a group of photos in LRC and found them in my TrashCan.  In a panic, I moved them back into the original folder and "imported them" thinking everything would sync back up.  Apparently that was a bad decision.  The files are back but the edits are no longer there.  Is there any way to re-link all the edits I did?  If not, what should I have done instead once I realized I accidently deleted more images than I had intended?  Help!

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2 replies

dj_paige
Legend
October 1, 2023

I am all in favor of  "Automatically Write Changes into XMP" as it can help in emergencies like this. I am even more strongly in favor of making regular and automated backups of your catalog file.

 

Now would be a good time for you to learn how catalogs work.

johnrellis
Legend
October 1, 2023

"I am even more strongly in favor of making regular and automated backups of your catalog file."

 

Absolutely agree -- I was sloppy and didn't mean to imply that one should make regular catalog backups.

johnrellis
Legend
October 1, 2023

Unfortunately, LR's Undo doesn't work for Delete From Disk.

 

If you don't have catalog backups containing the edits to those deleted photos, then you're out of luck.

 

If you have catalog backups, restore the backup to a new catalog name (don't overwrite your current catalog!) and open it. If the edits of the accidentally deleted photos are there, then select those photos and do Metadata > Save Metadata To File, which will write the edits back to the files or to their .xmp sidecars.  Now open the current catalog, select those same photos, and do Metadata > Read Metadata From File.

 

Accidental deletion is one reason to enable Catalog Settings > Metadata > Automatically Write Changes Into XMP.  When you accidentally delete a file, the edits will have been saved in the file or its sidecar. This is superior to catalog backups, because backups won't contain edits you've made since you last backed up.

 

You can reduce accidental deletions by using a "reject" workflow. When you want to discard a photo, flag it as rejected (type "x"). Then periodically, give the command Photo > Delete Rejected Photos, and review the rejected photos before confirming the disk deletion.  Use a Library Filter preset to hide rejected photos in Library view.

 

I use the reject workflow, but I still accidentally delete a photo once every year or two, and this has saved my butt each time.

 

You'll probably hear lots of religious arguments about why you shouldn't use Automatically Write Changes Into XMP, but for most users and situations, it works well.