Folders in workspace gone

[NSCORP - Mark]

Been using Lightroom classic for several years on the same system – PC, Windows 11, with external harddrive. Opened it today and an error window popped up. Clicked on Next and LRC opened, but my photos could not be found.

My workspace folder list looks like a version I had 3 years ago. Since then, I've added many folders, remaned a bunch and deleted others - All through Lightroom. I do a catalog backup every time I exit the program. I checked the hard drive and all my files are there, in the folders as I build them through LRC.

Did the V14,2 update and still the same.

Is there a way to reclaim the workspace catalog I had two days ago?

Here's a screenshot of my overall workspace.

[dj_paige]

Probably LrC (accidentally) opened the wrong catalog file. Go to File->Open Recent and open each catalog shown there, until you find the right catalog. If that doesn't work, use your operating systems search feature to find all files whose name ends with .LRCAT, one of those is the catalog you want.

[NSCORP - Mark]

Step 1 - Only one file showed up.

Step 2 - Found some others you were talking about. 

     How do I get LrC to see those so I can choose from them?

In the screenshot, The top one highlighted is what I think showed up in LrC.

The second highlight is what I'm thinking I need. 

[Per Berntsen]

The first five files are Lightroom catalogs with the .lrcat extension, but you have Windows set to hide file extensions, so extensions are not showing.

The catalog currently open is "Lightroom Catalog", which the smallest of your catalogs, and probably the oldest.

You have a folder named "Lightroom Catalog-v14-1.lrcat.data", but the associated catalog file is not visible in the screenshot.

This is most likely the catalog you want, and it will be named "Lightroom Catalog-v14-1.lrcat".

See if it is listed under File > Open recent in LrC, if not, do a search for it, but don't limit the search to the Lightroom folder, search in Pictures, and the whole C drive if necessary. Maybe you moved it accidentally.

If you find it, move it back to the Lightroom folder.

Also, I strongly recommend that you set Windows to show file extensions in the File explorer.

[NSCORP - Mark]

Searched for "Lightroom Catalog-v14-1.lrcat" in This PC also in my remote SSD. This is what came up.

I see a folder, but no file in that folder by that name. 

Also, while looking around, it seems my internal harddrive is suddenly full (47GB/ 1TB left). In searching for the main culprits, it turns out to be Lightroom Catalogs. Could it be that my laptop just choked?

Can I delete some of these?

[Per Berntsen · Accepted solution]

Searched for "Lightroom Catalog-v14-1.lrcat" in This PC also in my remote SSD. This is what came up.

I see a folder, but no file in that folder by that name. 

By NSCORP - Mark

The .lrcat.data folder does not contain the catalog file, it sits next to the .lrcat.data folder, see the screenshot below.

Your v14-1 catalog file seems to be gone, so you have to restore it from a backup. If you have not been making backups (it's mandatory), you'll have to open your newest catalog, which is v13-3.lrcat.

Backups are stored as Zip files in folders with date names. 

Create a new folder, give it a name, (like Lightroom Catalog), and unzip the zip file to this folder. Then double-click the catalog file to launch LrC.

Also, while looking around, it seems my internal harddrive is suddenly full (47GB/ 1TB left). In searching for the main culprits, it turns out to be Lightroom Catalogs. Could it be that my laptop just choked?

Can I delete some of these? 

You are critically low on space, and should deal with this before doing anything else.

A system drive should have at least 20% free space, preferably more, which means that you should have at least 200 GB free.

The Lightroom Catalogs are only a few GB, and are not the main culprits.

If all your photos are on the C drive, you should move them to an external drive.

LrC will then report them as missing, and you will need to relink them.

See https://www.lightroomqueen.com/lightroom-photos-missing-fix/

and https://www.lightroomqueen.com/how-move-lightroom-to-new-computer/

The relinking will be easier if you have exactly the same folder structure on the external drive as on the internal.

[NSCORP - Mark]

OK, been working on problem 1 first - Disk space.  Had my tech support fully update my PC and clean old files.

"If all your photos are on the C drive, you should move them to an external drive."

   Yes, I have all my LrC controlled photos on a remote SSD. Just the modified Jpeg exported from LrC are on the system hard drive.

Found the main Culprits - Lightroom back ups. 

Back ups from 2023 and half of 2024 are a huge portion.

Is it safe to delete these or do I need them?  Am I correct in thinking all the information LrC needs would be in the  1 latest back up?

[Per Berntsen]

Before deleting old backups, you have to make a decision about what catalog you are going to use - v13-3 or v14.

If you haven't been able to locate the v14 catalog, you could in theory delete all v14 backups, but to be on the safe side, keep the two latest ones. Also keep the two latest v13-3 backups.

To verify the version of the backups, you'll have click on the folder and look at the name of the catalog file.

Backups should never be kept on the same drive as the catalog (if the drive fails, you've lost everything), so I suggest that you from now on save backups on the external SSD. Create a folder named Lightroom catalog backups (or similar), and set LrC to save backups there.

You set this up in the catalog settings. (Edit > Catalog settings)

Also take this opportunity to create a new catalog folder with only the files and folders you need.

The default location is in the Pictures folder in you user account – I suggest that you put the folder directly under C –

C:\Lightroom Catalog – for easy access.

If you use the v13-3 catalog, move v13-3.lrcat-data and v13-3 Helper.lrdata to the folder.

You should add the preview cache as well – I cannot see it in your screenshots, but it will be named v13-3 Previews.lrdata.

Once everything is in place, double-click the catalog file to launch LrC, and it will upgrade the catalog to version 14.

[NSCORP - Mark]

“Before deleting old backups, you have to make a decision about what catalog you are going to use - v13-3 or v14.”

     There were no V-14 backups so that decision is made – Use V13-3

I removed all V12, V13 and all but 3 of the x13-3. That gained me about 489GB of space. I now have over 50% of my hard drive free – Step one done.

I can see the advantage of creating new catalog folder and offboarding the backups. But right now, for me (community beginner) that’s too many moving parts. I’d like to get LrC up and running first, then go back and safeguard my operation. Thank you for your patience.

 “Once everything is in place, double-click the catalog file to launch LrC, and it will upgrade the catalog to version 14.”

       I clicked the .lrcat file in each of the 3 catalog files I saved and got the same error.

Here's the whole screen with the only v14 file, at the bottom, that I have.

[Per Berntsen]

Launching LrC directly from the Backup folder is bound to create problems and confusion, and I strongly advise against it.

Creating a new folder and moving the appropriate files and folders to it is very simple, and will save you from problems and frustration later on.

Try the following procedure, which may also fix the permissions issue:

• Right click the Zip file containing the backed up catalog, and choose Extract All ...
• In the dialog that appears, navigate to the new folder you just created.

[NSCORP - Mark]

"Launching LrC directly from the Backup folder is bound to create problems and confusion, and I strongly advise against it."

     But isn't that what you told me to do in your last responce?

..."Then double-click the catalog file to launch LrC."

"Once everything is in place, double-click the catalog file to launch LrC, and it will upgrade the catalog to version 14."

    This is confusing to me.  How do I get LrC to launch?

I've created C:\Lightroom Catalog

Did the Extract All on one of the Zip backup files and moved it over to the new C: folder. Also put all the v13 & v13-3 files in it. 

If I don't click one of these files to launch LrC. How does it work?

I tried opening LrC from the desktop icon, as expected, it's still the same. 

What do I do now?

[Per Berntsen]

I wrote previously:

Also take this opportunity to create a new catalog folder with only the files and folders you need.

The default location is in the Pictures folder in you user account – I suggest that you put the folder directly under C – C:\Lightroom Catalog – for easy access.

If you use the v13-3 catalog, move v13-3.lrcat-data and v13-3 Helper.lrdata to the folder.

You should add the preview cache as well – I cannot see it in your screenshots, but it will be named v13-3 Previews.lrdata.

Once everything is in place, double-click the catalog file to launch LrC, and it will upgrade the catalog to version 14.

You want a catalog folder with only the files and folders necessary.

Having other stuff in it leads to clutter and confusion.

I failed to mention that you should extract the catalog file to the new folder, but I did in my next post.

To keep it simple, do not add any other files than the ones extracted from the backup, it should work.

LrC will create the other required files and folders.

But you really need a new catalog folder, your current folder is a mess.

And LrC doesn't care where the catalog folder is located.

To create a new folder under C, right click C, choose New > Folder.

[NSCORP - Mark]

"But you really need a new catalog folder, your current folder is a mess."

    I did create a new folder like you mentioned. Directly under C: and added the files you mentioned. That's the last screen shot I sent.

    So I've created a mess. This is why I didn't want to mess around with scrambling files all over my computer. 

    I really appricate your help with this, but I am not an expert like you and don't spend mass amounts of time inside my computer.  

By opening LrC then opening a new catalog and selecting the one in this new folder I created, it seems to work. I see many of my view settings have changed. Probably because of the mess folder I made. 

Is there anything I can do to clean up the mess I just created?

[Per Berntsen]

Sorry, I must have been looking at the wrong screenshot.

What you have now looks fine.

So does LrC work properly now? What view settings have changed?

[NSCORP - Mark]

The further I look the more setting I find that are changed. Like you said, It's a mess. 

The critical things are in place, Old usless backups are gone getting me plenty of hard drive space, LrC opens and it looks like my latests edits are accounted for.  The rest I'll figure out over time.

Thank you very much for sticking with me to get it to this point. 

This session can be closed.

[dj_paige]

---

NSCORP - Mark wrote:

Step 1 - Only one file showed up.

---

What happened when you opened it? Was it the catalog you wanted?

     How do I get LrC to see those so I can choose from them?

In the screenshot, The top one highlighted is what I think showed up in LrC.

The second highlight is what I'm thinking I need. 

You open these the same as you open any other file in Windows Explorer. You double-click on them. And I think @Per Berntsen is correct, you want the file named Lightroom Catalog-v14-1.lrcat

[NSCORP - Mark]

"What happened when you opened it? Was it the catalog you wanted?"

    No. That's the problem

"You open these the same as you open any other file in Windows Explorer. "

    But that doesn't get LrC to see it. Or am I missing something?

[dj_paige]

If you double-click on an .LRCAT file (not a .LRCAT-DATA file) it will open in LrC.

What do you mean "but that doesn't get LrC to see it"? What does happen?

[AxelMatt]

... Opened it today and an error window popped up.

...

By NSCORP - Mark

What was the error message? Please post it word-by-word.

Is the external drive connected correctly? With the same drive letter as the drive had on the import procedure?