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bluerog2
Participating Frequently
April 11, 2018
Question

How do I remove everything Lightroom CC related and start over

  • April 11, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 10241 views

I have tried to remove Lightroom CC and start from scratch. I cannot. I use Windows.

I have tried removing every catalog. I have tried removing every backup file. I have done this for .lrcat file anywhere on my computer. The program seems to store these in several location like... in "My Pictures" and in the program file installation location. I want all presets gone. I want every modification gone. I want every snapshot gone. I want every adjustment gone. I want every quick collection gone. I want every 1 to 5 star rating gone.

Most of all, I want every edit I've ever done gone.

Everytime I think I've deleted everything, and reinstall, it give me back the edits. I DO NOT WANT THE EDITS. Everytime I think I've deleted everything and reinstall, it gives me back the same screwed up filing system that I want to start over with.

How do I start from scratch?

Thank you.

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

M
mshaha
Participant
June 21, 2019

Same question - I gave my computer to my mother and want to start completely over. I don't want any of my images or catalogs on the computer. I already have them saved elsewhere - I want a blank lightroom -how do I get rid of all of the catalogs, images, files, presets....everything - I want it to be like new. Cant find directions anywhere. Thank you in advance.

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 21, 2019

    https://www.lightroomqueen.com/lightroom-classic-file-locations/

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
    B
    bluerog2Author
    Participating Frequently
    April 11, 2018

    My apologies for sounding frustrated - or even whiny.

    I was hoping a developer from Adobe LR could pop in here and say, "Uninstall LR. Delete these 12 folders and directories - it's where all backup information and edited photos instructions are located. And it's where LR picks up instructions to load photos to the library are.

    Then reinstall LR CC. And it'll be like new".

    I am literally to the point to where I want to grab a new hard drive. Install Windows and drivers on my desktop computer. Then reinstall programs, like LR CC and Photoshop. A total reset....

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 11, 2018

    The solution is pretty simple. You should indeed delete your catalog (.lrcat) file and start with a fresh one, but before you import any pictures you should have a look inside the picture folder(s). Do you see .xmp files with the same name as your .nef files? That is why the edits and ratings come back when you import these photos into a new catalog. So sort the folder by file type, select all the .xmp files and delete them. Do this for every picture folder. Then import the images into your brand new catalog. They should now come in as virgins...

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
      dj_paige
      dj_paige
      Legend
      April 11, 2018

      Did you, at any time, instruct Lightroom to write the metadata (edits) to the photo files (or XMP files in the case of RAW originals)?

      If you find edited photos in LR, can you simply select them all and then in the Develop Module turn on Auto Sync and click on Reset?

        B
        bluerog2Author
        Participating Frequently
        April 11, 2018

        Hi dj_paige. I have no idea how to instruct LR CC to write metadata or edits to the photo files. I have no idea if I did it on purpose or accident.

        I barely even know what what writing metadata is. 

        I shoot RAW Nikon... so .NEF files. I could send a .NEF file that LR CC keeps picking up an edit on to someone, and they can check. Do you know how to check?

        But to answer your question, I didn't ask LR to write metadata to any RAW (NEF) files on purpose.

        One of the reasons I picked up LR CC and Photoshop is that it does NOT affect the quality of the original and that I can always go back to the beginning on a photo.

        dj_paige
        dj_paige
        Legend
        April 11, 2018

        You can check to see if the photo has previous edits. Go to the Develop module and see if the sliders are at zero (except for the color balance sliders). If any of them are not at zero (except the color balance slider) then these are the previous edits. Click on Reset at the bottom right to erase the previous edits. If that works, you can do this in bulk, as I explained above.

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