Import function selects more files than in the selected folder and subfolders

[adobezamm]

Using Adobe Lightroom Classic on Windows 11 when importing a specific folder with its sub folders the import function includes folders NOT in the selected folder.  What causes this and how can I stop it?

The particular folder and its subs have over 2000 images total. [Added 17 April 2025]

[Moved from ‘Bugs’ to ‘Discussions’ by moderator, according to forum rules.]

[Califdan2]

Please explain what you mean?

Are images showin the import dialog grid that are not in the selected folder (including its subfolders)?

Is it that you see other folders in the left panel?

Is it that images not shown in the import dialog grid are actually imported and show up in the "Previous Import" special colleciton?

Is it that photos correctly show in the import dialog grid, but ones wind up being imported that you did not intend to import?

A screen shot of the full import dialog screen will be helpful.

[adobezamm]

Thanks for your reponse - 

Please explain what you mean?
[my response to your question follows]  Using Adobe Lightroom Classic on Windows 11 when importing ONE specific folder with its sub folders the import function includes OTHER folders NOT in the selected folder or even on the same drive. 

Are images show in the import dialog grid that are not in the selected folder (including its subfolders)?

[my response to your question follows] Yes, and when I do a "show in explorer" it leads me to a different folder not on the designated external drive.

Is it that you see other folders in the left panel?
[my response to your question follows] No, only the selected folder and sub-folder appear, but on the center grid side other images not in the selected folder apprear.  I cancel the import at that time. 

Could it be I may have a corrupt folder? But when I study it in explorer, it and the subs looks normal!

Is it that images not shown in the import dialog grid are actually imported and show up in the "Previous Import" special colleciton?

[my response to your question follows] The extra images, and there are many, only show in the grid view. There are no collections set currently in this catalog.

Is it that photos correctly show in the import dialog grid, but ones wind up being imported that you did not intend to import?

[my response to your question follows]  The only appear in the grid, again, I stop them import process at this time so none are imported.

A screen shot of the full import dialog screen will be helpful.

[my response to your question follows] - Sorry no screen shot at this time.


Thanks for taking the time to ask.

[richardplondon · Accepted solution]

I can only think of three possibilities just now:

Perhaps the chosen folder includes a symbolic link that directs to elsewhere in the file system? If so, the contents of that other location may be treated by import as if they were really located where this symbolic link is.

Next, if the Import is done as a 'Move' or 'Copy' operation, imported folders will result that now sit elsewhere than the source location: in other words, the Destination panel comes into play - as expected. An 'Add' import avoids this.

Next, sometimes the import Source panel may show both a Devices listing and a Files (file system) listing. It is important to be clear which of these two forms of selection is being used. 

[adobezamm]

I can only think of three possibilities just now:

Perhaps the chosen folder includes a symbolic link that directs to elsewhere in the file system? If so, the contents of that other location may be treated by import as if they were really located where this symbolic link is. 
[my response follows] There is no evidence of a "short-cut" or other symbolic link when I review the folder and subs in Explorer.

Next, if the Import is done as a 'Move' or 'Copy' operation, imported folders will result that now sit elsewhere than the source location: in other words, the Destination panel comes into play - as expected. An 'Add' import avoids this.

[my response to your question follows]  I may explore your idea later - thanks.

Next, sometimes the import Source panel may show both a Devices listing and a Files (file system) listing. It is important to be clear which of these two forms of selection is being used. 
[my response to your question follows]  I clearly see the External Dive in the Source panel and under it "Pictures" where the folder resides.

[adobezamm · Accepted solution]

 I isolated the suspect folder and found a “short-cut link” in the folder leading to my “documents.”  This appears to be the reason for the LrC App on import was leading to more images than was in the designated folder.  Import seems to be functioning normally after this discovery was rectified.

Thanks to those who responded to this issue.  I appreciated it.

[Ian Lyons]

@adobezamm 

I marked above and that by @richardplondon responses as the 'Correct Answer'.