file locaation

[U238]

I just upgraded Lightroom Classic in Windows 10.  The upgrade requires a new catalog and previews.   I can not use the default location for the new catalog and previews.  How do I change this location?

[JP Hess]

Why can't you use the default location? Can you use it long enough to allow the new catalog could be created?

[U238]

I   had a hand tremor error that made it necessary to go to a back up to retrieve a deleated image.  Another error put this current catalog under a  Finance folder.  The new catalog wants to go into the finance folder.  In short, I cannot use the default location, because I do not want images in my finance folder.  I am trying to fix an error caused by a Parkinson's twitch.  Can I just take the simple approach and copy and paste the old catalog where I want it?  I have two catalogs and several thousand images.  I can't afford to lose them.

[U238]

I have been careless in my Lightroom files.   I just ran a search for *.lrcat and found a full screen of hits.  I have Lightroom 3, 4, 5(page full), Catalog, Catalog-2, Catalog-2contaminated, Special, Special-2, Special-2-2, Special-2-2.lrcat-wal, and -3-extra.  I never throw anything out when I make a change.  Unfortunitately I haven't documented changess very well.   Some of them were on my backup drive, so I won't worry about them now.

[JP Hess · Accepted solution]

The catalog and previews and other related folders (i.e. smart previews folder, etc.) can literally be moved anywhere you want them to be, any drive, any folder. All you have to do is move them together and place them where you want them to be. Then, double-click on the catalog folder at that new location. Lightroom will open the catalog from that location, and you are in business. Leave the images where they are located, don't move them because it isn't necessary. The catalog still knows where the images are and will continue managing them.

[U238]

Where do I find a list of the files that Lightroom uses?

[JP Hess]

If you simply copy the entire folder that contains your catalog that you are using to the drive or location that you want it to be, and then double-click on the catalog file from that location, that's all you need to do. I suggest copying the folder, and then when you verify that everything is working from the new location you can remove the folder from the old location.