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Brent Guiliano
Known Participant
March 10, 2022
Question

Proper way to move Lightroom library

  • March 10, 2022
  • 1 reply
  • 910 views

Hi all, 

Very soon I will be getting a new computer.

I currently have my Lightroom library on an external HDD

That is currenlty connected to my macbook pro via usb.

Previously, the Lightroom library ext HDD was connected to my iMac.

When moved from the iMac to the MBP - i lost all the ratings and color labels.

When i move to this new machine, i want to be able to keep the ratings and colors.

I don't want to physically copy the image files to the new machine - i want to keep using the ext HDD.

 

Thanks

 

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

Sean McCormack
Community Expert
Sean McCormackCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 10, 2022

If the catalog is on the hard drive with the images, and pointing at the images, there's no reason anything should get lost. If you've custom labels, this is stored as part of preferences, which are machine specific. If you use Migration assistant, this should bring these over though. 

Sean McCormack. Author of 'Essential Development 3'. Magazine Writer. Former Official Fuji X-Photographer.
B
Brent GuilianoAuthor
Known Participant
March 10, 2022

Currently the ext HDD only has the images 

The catalog is on the MBP - should/can i move that to the ext HDD?

Also, do you mean the migration assistant within macOS? 

I wasn't planning on using that - was going to try to start this new machine from scratch 

Sean McCormack
Community Expert
Sean McCormackCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 11, 2022

Personally, I do not suggest having copies on different location of the same catalog. 

The "day of confusion" will come ....


I agree. I wouldn't delete the original one until I knew the copy is working though. As to backups, you change backup frequency to 'When Lightroom Next Exits' when the copy catalog is running. This will create a zipped backup of the current catalog. 

Sean McCormack. Author of 'Essential Development 3'. Magazine Writer. Former Official Fuji X-Photographer.
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