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After changing computers Lightroom classic can't open catalog "file not writable"

New Here ,
Oct 30, 2017 Oct 30, 2017

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I got a new computer and copied all my photos and catalog etc. to the new computer. When I try to open the catalog I get the error that says it can't open the because the file is not writable. I changed all the permissions on the catalog, photos so that they are read/write by everyone. I am on windows 10 home and the only user so I am an administrator. Have I lost all my work?

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correct answers 1 Correct answer

LEGEND , Oct 30, 2017 Oct 30, 2017

Also, using Windows File Explorer, check the ownership of the catalog file. Since it came from a different computer, while your username may match on the new computer, your ID may not.

If that is the case, you should be able to either "take ownership" of the file or give "everyone" read and write privs to the file.

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LEGEND ,
Oct 30, 2017 Oct 30, 2017

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What happens if you put the catalog file into a newly created folder as under Pictures?

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Community Beginner ,
Nov 12, 2021 Nov 12, 2021

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This resolved my problem after moving the catalog file from external drive to Pictures on the PC and opening the file there. Thank you dj_paige!

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LEGEND ,
Oct 30, 2017 Oct 30, 2017

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Also, using Windows File Explorer, check the ownership of the catalog file. Since it came from a different computer, while your username may match on the new computer, your ID may not.

If that is the case, you should be able to either "take ownership" of the file or give "everyone" read and write privs to the file.

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New Here ,
Jul 06, 2018 Jul 06, 2018

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How do you "give "everyone" read and write privs" to an entire external drive ?

I have the same problem working on an external drive I share between 2 computers.

Now my Lightroom catalog cannot be opened anymore on both computers. Note that I cleaned the drive with windows utilities before because the .lock file remained and could not be deleted. I also had the problem not being able to save back up versions in the past when closing my lightroom project.

I don't understand why this shoud be a permission problem, because on the same drive, I currently work on premiere pro and after effects projects which have no problem recording the project file.

Plus I succedeed to open another LR project on the same drive. It just looks like the project is corrupted, nothing to do with windows permissions.

Help !

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New Here ,
Jul 09, 2018 Jul 09, 2018

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Dear Adobe,

it looks like my catalog is corrupt and I cannot find any other support choice for LR than forums in the creative cloud interface.

Where can I send you my catalog for analysis ?

Help needed urgently, I cannot access my work anymore.

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