Lightroom Classic folders problem (caused by me)

[HC608]

Hello Lightroom community,

I did something foolish a long time ago and it's just become a problem. Years back when I started using Lightroom, I set it up on my H: drive. I created a folder there called 'Pictures' and then (don't ask my why) I created inside that folder another folder called 'Pictures' in which lived my 'Lightroom' folder (where the catalogues and backups live) and the 'MY LIGHTROOM PHOTOS' folder (with all the images in dated folders).

For years that worked fine, despite my folder structure error.

Now I've just moved to a new PC - with great care. I have a new H: drive and transferred the old H: drive structure into it. When I loaded up Lightroom Classic, all my images were there - deep joy. However, just yesterday, when I tried to import some new images for the first time, I was given this message:

The destination folder  "H:\Pictures\MY LIGHTROOM PHOTOS" is not available. Using "Pictures" folder instead. 

Please can someone help me diagnose this problem ,so I can get Lightroom Classic running smoothly again? I'd be so grateful.

Many thanks,.

Harry

[DClark064 · Accepted solution]

I don't believe your file structure is an "error".  It worked fine and should continue to work fine.

I suspect that your problem is that on the "Import" panel you need to click on "To" in the upper right corner and correct the folder into which you are importing.  It may be as simple as that you did not select "H:\Pictures\Pictures\MY LIGHTROOM PHOTOS".

[HC608]

Hi DClark064,

Thank you very much for your swift and helpful reply. I did that and it worked - simple and excellent.

Re the file structure, is there any value at all in my taking the Pictures sub-folder and copying it on to the H:\Pictures folder? Or would that cause further problems? This may be a case of "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" 🙂

Have a great weekend!

Harry

[DClark064 · Accepted solution]

If you use LrC to move files and folders, you can move files and folders for any reason and it should not cause problems.  You are not bound to keeping the file/folder organization you now have.  But be sure to use LrC to move stuff.  If you use the OS to move files and folders, LrC will lose track of them.  There are easy ways to recover, but the best procedure is to use LrC to move stuff (even though it is a bit slower). 

[HC608]

Hi DClark064,

Please allow me a final question - how can I force Lightroom to always import to the folder I want?

Thank you,

Harry

[JohanElzenga · Accepted solution]

Select everything you want in the right panel of the import dialog, then at the bottom center of that dialog save this as an import preset. Then when you import, simply select that preset.

[HC608]

Thanks for your help, Johan. Much appreciated.

Cheers,

Harry