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Participant
February 6, 2010
Answered

Auto Import -- how to disable?

  • February 6, 2010
  • 10 replies
  • 85609 views

I would like to disable auto import.

I uncheck "Show import dialog when a memory card is detected" under Edit - preferences - Import.  However, it rechecks itself when I close lightroom down.  Then whenever I put in a storage device -- a memory card, external hard drive, flash drive, etc -- Lightroom starts up and wants to import from that device.

How do I prevent this?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Skyhawk72187

    I don't know if you still have this problem, but I fixed mine easily. The settings you are trying to chase down aren't in Lightroom they are standard import settings in your Windows 7 control panel. Go to Start>Control Panel>Hardware and Sound>Autoplay - in there will be two major settings that are causing, or at least caused my Lightroom to open upon adding any external USB source with media content on it.

    "Pictures" needs to be set to the default device you want to use, or you can do as I did and Window's standardly does and set it to ask me everytime. This enables that popup window that asks which device and action you want to use when inserting a new USB storage device.

    The same setting needs to be changed for "Mixed Content" as this will try and find all different types of media file formats compatible with Lightroom.

    This should fix your problem as it did mine, I have Windows 7 and they have a lot of Auto settings that need to be changed from time to time!

    Hope this helped,

    Sky

    10 replies

    Participant
    July 18, 2017

    I did a quick video on how to do this in Windows 10 and some additional options.

    Can't turn off Adobe Lightroom CC auto import? - YouTube

    Participant
    May 30, 2015

    Hi I got similar problem how to stop light room syncing pic taken by my mobile device to collection?

    Skyhawk72187Correct answer
    Participant
    September 2, 2012

    I don't know if you still have this problem, but I fixed mine easily. The settings you are trying to chase down aren't in Lightroom they are standard import settings in your Windows 7 control panel. Go to Start>Control Panel>Hardware and Sound>Autoplay - in there will be two major settings that are causing, or at least caused my Lightroom to open upon adding any external USB source with media content on it.

    "Pictures" needs to be set to the default device you want to use, or you can do as I did and Window's standardly does and set it to ask me everytime. This enables that popup window that asks which device and action you want to use when inserting a new USB storage device.

    The same setting needs to be changed for "Mixed Content" as this will try and find all different types of media file formats compatible with Lightroom.

    This should fix your problem as it did mine, I have Windows 7 and they have a lot of Auto settings that need to be changed from time to time!

    Hope this helped,

    Sky

    Participant
    December 5, 2012

    Very simple go to >>Start >> Type "Autoplay" >> click on "Start or stop using Autoplay for all media and devices" >> go to "pictures" and make it "Ask me everytime" and also for the" mixed content" and the problem will be solved,,,"for windows 7".

    I hope this is helful to you...

    Participant
    December 4, 2011

    Disregard my last post, 737mechanic's fix worked.

    Participant
    December 4, 2011

    The Enable Auto Import isn't available, I am on 64 bit/Win 7 machine.

    Participant
    May 4, 2010

    I was able to correct the problem by installing 2.6.  Thanks everyone.

    Al

    Participant
    January 20, 2011

    I am running 3.3 64 bit with windows 7 and had that problem and what fixed it for me was clicking Edit-Preferences-General and under Import Options uncheck the box that says "Show import dialog when a memory card is detected"

    Participant
    September 1, 2011

    Sweet, thank you 737mechanic for this information.

    I too use Win7x64 and was constantly annoyed that anytime I plugged in my GPS or MP3 player or just about anything LR3 would open.  I am now at peace with LR3.  ;->

    Participant
    May 4, 2010

    I'm having the same issue. Mac Mini Snow Leopard OS. EVERY time I plug in my iPod, Lightroom (2.7) launches. NO option to turn it off in Lightroom, and no way to tell the latest version of iTunes that it's not a storage device. Help!

    I will switch to Apple's Aperture if this keeps up.

    jgblair
    Participating Frequently
    May 4, 2010

    On a Mac, launch the program Image Capture.  Under preferences, "Camera: When a camera is connected, open:" then select "No application".  I think that will do it.  When I have that setting and plug in my iPhone, LR 2.x will not launch.  If LR 2.x is open, then it will opent the download images dialog (the behavior I am looking for).  See if that helps.

    John

    John G. Blair Studio

    Occidental, California

    Participant
    May 4, 2010

    Excellent advice, thank you! I actually had to plug in the iPod so the option would appear at the bottom of the left window. But, it did give me the ability to stop launching Lightroom and any other application.

    Participant
    March 16, 2010

    I am running Mac OS X.6.2 on An intel imac. Lightroom v2.6 new install from disc full retail. Auto import is relentless!

    John_Cornicello_Photo
    Inspiring
    March 16, 2010

    Are you referring to "Auto Import" in the File menu where Lightroom watches a specific folder and imports items without displaying the Import dialog box? Or about the the setting that opens the Import dialog box when a memory card is inserted?

    I just experimented with both using LR 2.6 on Mac with OX 10.4.11 and was able to enable and disable both options.

    Auto Import (watching a specific folder, which does not show the import dialog box):

    Go to the File menu in Lightroom

    Click on Auto Iimport

    Click on Enable Auto Import to turn it on (if there isn't a checkmark showing)

    or

    Click on Enable Auto Import to turn it off (if there is a checkmark showing).

    I've just turned it off/on/off/on a few times and it did not auto import images moved into the watched folder while it was turned off.

    For the option to automatically display the Import dialog box when a memory card is inserted or a camera is plugged in, I had to go to Lightroom, Preferences, Import, and check or uncheck the box that says "Show import dialog when a memory card is disabled." Again, I tried turning it on/off a few times and inserted memory cards with images and the import dialog only popped up when the box was checked.

    John

    Known Participant
    February 6, 2010

    Upgrade to 2.6. This was a bug in 2.5.

    Participant
    March 8, 2010

    Sorry- I have the same problem, and I already have version 2.6

    I'm running windows 7 64-bit on a quad core system, and I too am unable to  stop lightroom from importing from whatever media I insert in the USB port.

    Charlie Choc
    Participating Frequently
    March 8, 2010

    I'm on win7 x64 and LR 2.6 and am not having the problem. When I was using 2.5 I did a registry hack to prevent LR from resetting its registry value to on all the time. If you just upgraded fro 2.5 to 2.6 you probably still have 2.5 installed and you should uninstall it. That should clear up the issue.

    Participant
    February 6, 2010

    More info please. What kind of OS are you on? Have you installed any software that came with your camera? I believe Canon software on a Mac allows you to specify what program is launched when you hook up your camera to the computer. That setting also defaults to other USB devices (e.g., card readers).

    Participant
    February 6, 2010

    I am using Vista.  I did not install any Canon software.  I do not connect my camera to the computer but rather I use a card reader.  But it also does the same thing for all storage devices.