Can't delete profiles

[Thom. ✨]

I need to delete a group of develop profiles because there is a newer version.

I installed them into Lightroom Classic by dragging the .xmp files into the CameraRaw/Settings folder. But it seems Lightroom Classic now stores them in a different format, as this folder only contains two .dat files, which I assume contain *all* my presets and profiles and not just this specific group.

Deleting them via Lightroom's Profile Browser is not possible either. When I right click the profile group, I can only click on Expand All, Collapse All, Manage Profiles... (which just hides/shows them) and Reset Hidden Profiles. Right clicking the individual profiles does nothing.

Strangely enough, other profile groups have the option "Delete Profile Group" when right-clicking. Only the ones I actually want to delete do not.

I also searched my entire computer for the profiles, but all it finds is the new version I want to replace the installed files with.

How would one go about this? I do not want to delete the .dat files if this deletes other presets/profiles, as I have many of them and do not want to reimport them.

To clarify, I am NOT talking about Camera Profiles (.dcp) - and also not talking about Develop PRESETS. I am talking about Develop Profiles (.xmp) which are accessed in the "Basic" panel of the Develop module's sidebar on the right.

[John R Ellis]

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"I installed them into Lightroom Classic by dragging the .xmp files into the CameraRaw/Settings folder. Right clicking the individual profiles does nothing."

This is usually caused by manually installing the profiles in the wrong location, e.g. in:

/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw

rather than in:

/Users/<user>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw

LR thinks your profiles are built-in profiles and won't let you delete them.

In general, you should install profiles and presets using the menu command File > Import Develop Profiles And Presets. (There's lots of bad, outdated advice out there telling you how to install manually -- ignore it.)

If you can't quickly find the problem profiles, use Finder to search your computer:

Note carefully the option "System files are included".

[Thom. ✨]

As mentioned, the profiles can't be found by searching my entire filesystem with Finder (only the new versions in my Downloads folder). I also ensured that I put the files in the USER Library and not the System Library when installing them (opening it via the button in Lightroom's Preferences window).

[John R Ellis]

"As mentioned, the profiles can't be found by searching my entire filesystem with Finder (only the new versions in my Downloads folder)."

The .xmp files must be somewhere on your computer if LR is loading them (LR always keeps them as .xmp files). Did you use the "System files are included" option as shown in the screenshot above? 

Also, sometimes profiles and presets have .xmp file names that don't match the name that appears in LR.

[JohanElzenga]

Nothing has changed, but you may be looking in the wrong Camera Raw/Settings folder. You need to look for the profiles in your User/Library folder, not in the root Library folder on your hard disk. In Lightroom Classic preferences - presets, click on the button to show the Develop presets. The correct Settings folder will open (Yes, I know you are talking about profiles, but presets and profiles are stored in the same folder).

[Thom. ✨]

I opened the folder that way. There's only two .dat files in it. I also searched my entire filesystem for the profiles, they aren't anywhere, as I assume Lightroom stores them in the .dat files now.

[JohanElzenga]

No, as said, nothing changed. Profiles are still .XMP files. The .dat files have been there from the beginning, but these are not profiles. There can also be a folder called 'ImportedSettings'. Check that one too.

[JohanElzenga]

One important thing. We are talking about CUSTOM USER profiles, aren't we? You cannot delete the default Adobe profiles. I know that Adobe sometimes adds a new Version 2 profile, but you still cannot delete the old profile in that case.