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jclin10
jclin10
Known Participant
February 28, 2020
Question

Where to put lightroom catalog, etc. - external or internal HD?

  • February 28, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 1092 views

Greetings

 

I have all of my Lightroom photos on an external hard drive (i.e. the actual photo files)

 

Where should I put the Lightroom Catalog folder, which contains the Lightroom Catalog, Catalog Previews, and Backups? Should those be on the external HD or or on my internal HD?

 

I also happen to have a few Temporary Import Data files. Are those files that I need to keep?

 

Thanks,

John

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

Lauca
Lauca
Participating Frequently
February 28, 2020

As other said, Lightroom Catalog and previews, must be on a drive physically connected to the computer. It can be external or internal, but usually, internal drive is faster and therefore a better location.

However, BACKUPS must not be on the same drive as the Catalog (if the drive fails, you loose the Catalog AND the backups...). Ask LR to put them on an other drive.

    Just Shoot Me
    Just Shoot Me
    Legend
    February 28, 2020

    As Above. Put it on the fastest drive, usually the internal SSD. You can then place all your images on an external drive to save space on the internal drive.

    jclin10
    jclin10Author
    Known Participant
    February 28, 2020

    Great, thanks!

    Is there any advantage to putting it on the external drive (which happens to be a RAID if that makes any difference)?

    Just Shoot Me
    Just Shoot Me
    Legend
    February 28, 2020

    The actual catalog file has to be on a drive that is PHYSICALLY Connected to the computer LR is running on.

    It CAN NOT be on a Networked drive.

    So if this RAID array is connected directly to the computer you plan on using LR Classic on then I see no reason you can't put it on that drive array.

    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    February 28, 2020

    Catalog files ought to go on the fastest disk, which is almost always the internal disk (unless there are strong reasons for putting it elsewhere).

     

    I don't know what Temporary Import Data files are.

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