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Enlightened_portfolio0B33
Inspiring
November 7, 2025
Answered

LR Classic duplicating and moving files on import

  • November 7, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 81 views

I can't get LRC to import my new files while leaving them in their current location.

 

For several years I have been using Photo Mechanic to offload the files from my camera's SD card, rename them, and place them in the proper location on my hard drive while also creating a backup folder as a safety measure. I then select all the files and drag and drop them onto LRC, which opens the import window and creates thumb nails of the files to be imported. I then add keywords and select "import". Normally, the files load into LRC in the same location that Photo Mechanic placed them. 

 

Today that is not happening. Looking at the import dialogue screen, the source location is correct but LRC is changing the destination location of the files by adding a subfolder named "2025" to the destination location and a second subfolder inside of that named "2025-10-29" (the date the photos were taken). It then creates new copies of the photos and places them inside this "2025-10-29" folder while renameing them so that the file sequence number starts with 0001. It totally ignores the original files, which are left in their original location with their original sequence numbers.

 

What is going on?

 

I am using Mac OS Sequoia 15.5. Initially I was using LRC 14.5.1, but I updated to 15.0 with the same results.

 

Rather than using drag and drop, I also tried opening the LRC Import dialogue screen and selecting the file location in the "Source" column. LRC still creates the two subfolders inside the Destination location and places a check box beside each. If I uncheck these boxes, the thumbnails all go dark, indicating there is nothing to import.

 

Thanks,

Charlie

 

 

Correct answer Per Berntsen

You seem to be using the Copy option instead of the Add option. (top center of the Import dialog)

When you choose Add, the Destination panel disappears, and the images are added from their original location.

 

1 reply

Per Berntsen
Community Expert
Per BerntsenCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
November 7, 2025

You seem to be using the Copy option instead of the Add option. (top center of the Import dialog)

When you choose Add, the Destination panel disappears, and the images are added from their original location.

 

E
Enlightened_portfolio0B33Author
Inspiring
November 7, 2025

Well, I just discovered that marking "Correct Answer" actually deleted my post explaining the solution. It wasn't exactly as Berntsen suggested, it ran a bit deeper. Short answer, yesterday while trying to get things the way I wanted I was constatly deleting and retrying. This created over 2TB of LRC cache files which almost killed my computer. Quiting LRC didn't clear the cache. What did clear it was deleting all the files and folders from the Library Module that I had been trying to add. 

 

Then I ran into the duplicating files problem. I finally noticed that when I launched the Import Module, all the files I was trying to bring into LRC were present in the Source Location, but not in the Library Module. What I decided to try, and it worked, was to select the root directory in the Library Module for all my 2025 photos and select Synchronize Folder. It took a while, but ultimately the 4000 photos that I had been trying to add showed up in their proper places in the Library Module. 

 

Problem Solved! While the Sync operation was working I had to run a number of errands which is why it took me so long to get back to everyone with the explanation. Thanks for your help. We have a great community.

 

Charlie

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