Participating Frequently

Answered

HELP! Deleted Lightroom Catalog.

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
April 24, 2024
3 replies
1326 views

I think I know the answer to this, and that answer is NOT good. BUT, I am hoping there is a shred of chance there is a way to correct my incredibly stupid error; I was freeing space on my hardrive and I accidently deleted my entire LR Catalog Backup. Each and every one. Is there ANY possible way to retrieve?

macOS

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer dj_paige

Are these files still in your recycle bin? If not, you can try downloading an "undelete" utility program (there are free ones available); if you are going to do this, do not do anything else on your computer but download and install this utlity program (and download and install it to a different disk than the original were on); do not wait; do not perform any other tasks on your computer.

If that doesn't work, there are commercial services that can (possibly) retrieve deleted files from you hard disks, these service are not cheap, be prepared for an expensive bill.

Geoff the kiwi

Community Expert

Search your disks for .lrcat files

M

markthewallAuthor

Participating Frequently

Thanks so much for the recommendation. I’ll do that! I also just downloaded a undelete recovery utility program to assist in recovery. 🤞

dj_paige

Legend

Thanks so much for the recommendation. I’ll do that! I also just downloaded a undelete recovery utility program to assist in recovery. 🤞
By @markthewall

Mark

Part of my advice seems to have been ignored. I said "if you are going to do this, do not do anything else on your computer but download and install this utlity program (and download and install it to a different disk than the original were on); do not wait; do not perform any other tasks on your computer." I include web browsing (such as coming to this forum) as a task that could potentially make recovering files more difficult or impossible.

Now it may be that your are web browsing on a different computer (or tablet, chromebook or cell phone) in which case I withdraw this comment.

GoldingD

Legend

deleted my entire LR Catalog Backup

Just the backup(s) or the working file as well? Post title imply working catalog.

M

markthewallAuthor

Participating Frequently

apologies- you are correct. Post title is misleading. Both backup and working files, unfortunatley.

dj_paigeCorrect answer

Legend

Are these files still in your recycle bin? If not, you can try downloading an "undelete" utility program (there are free ones available); if you are going to do this, do not do anything else on your computer but download and install this utlity program (and download and install it to a different disk than the original were on); do not wait; do not perform any other tasks on your computer.

If that doesn't work, there are commercial services that can (possibly) retrieve deleted files from you hard disks, these service are not cheap, be prepared for an expensive bill.

M

markthewallAuthor

Participating Frequently

thank you for yoru quick response. Unfortuantely, they are not in my trash / recycle bin; not sure why. I will look into your next recommendation and go from there. Thank you.

M

markthewallAuthor

Participating Frequently

thank you so much for your inital recommendation. Though using a "undelete" utility program" didn't recover my latert catalog, it was able to recover a semirecent catalog, and for that I am forever grateful. Thank you!

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