HELP! Deleted Lightroom Catalog.

[markthewall]

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? 

[dj_paige · Accepted solution]

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.

[markthewall]

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. 

[markthewall]

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!

[GoldingD]

deleted my entire LR Catalog Backup

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

[markthewall]

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

[Geoff the kiwi]

Search your disks for .lrcat files 

[markthewall]

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]

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.

[markthewall]

Hello Paige-

thanks sk much for your convern and friendly reminder- much appreciated! 

ive been reviewing comments and suggestions on my phone and ipad. 

today ill review the disk utility results today. 

thanks so very much for taking ykur time to help me out.