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JerryGuthrie
Participating Frequently
November 30, 2023
Answered

2019 PSE Shorten File Path & Move To New IMac Computer

  • November 30, 2023
  • 4 replies
  • 803 views

I am seeking guidance from more experienced PSE users in accomplishing my objectives without losing photos, catalog, tags etc from my collection in PSE 2019.  In summary, I have an extensive library of photos from several years of collecting.  I want to accomplish three separate tasks and I am fearful of messing this up and losing some of my life collection of photos and the tags I have created in organizing.  My three objectives are as follows:

 

1)  Shorten my current file path to my PSE photos, catalog & information tags without losing photos and associated data, tags etc or becoming disconnected.  My current file path on my existing IMac has become much too lengthy with empty folders in the path from numerous past PSE upgrades of creating newly named folders out of fear of losing photos..  Here is an actual example of my current path to photo folders:  Hard Drive: Photos Collection / Volumes / Photos Collection / Volumes / Photo Library / Users / "my name" / Pictures / Photo Library / "my individual photo folders by year"   I am hopeful to shorten this path to something like Hard Drive: User / Photo Libray / "my individual photo folders by year" without losing photos, catalog or the tags and information connected to these.  

2) My second objective is to transfer all my 2019 PSE information to a new IMac computer that I plan to purchase with the newest Mac OS that will support the newest PSE 2024 software on the new computer (my current 2013 IMac cannot support PSE 2024).   I am unsure how to accomplish this and whether I need to complete the above shortening of my file path before I transfer all PSE photos, catalog & tags etc  to a new IMac computer?

 

3)  My third objective is to install the newest 2024 version on a new IMac computer that I plan to purchase with the newest Mac OS that will support PSE 2024 and upgrades of PSE  into the future.   I am unsure if I need to install my PSE 2019 onto a new IMac computer prior to transferring all PSE data and then upgrade to PSE 2024 on the new IMac or whether the data transfer can be performed from PSE 2019 on my current IMac to PSE 2024 on a new IMac without installing my 2019 PSE on the new IMac prior to PSE data transfer? 

 

I know these three objectives are a lot to digest and frankly very confusing to me.  That is the reason I have delayed getting this done...but it is past time to accomplish this.  

I VERY MUCH appreciate any and all expert guidance in how best to accomplish these objectives as I am fearful of losing years worth of photos, and extensive phot tags to organize in PSE over the years.   Thank you in advance!   Jerry G.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Jeff Arola

    I believe the same steps that Greg_S outlined above should work on the Mac side as well.

    4 replies

    Greg_S.
    Greg_S.
    Community Expert
    November 30, 2023

    Yes, Jeff usually responds to my pings. 

    J
    JerryGuthrieAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    November 30, 2023

    Thank you again for your help! 👍

    Jeff Arola
    Jeff ArolaCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    December 1, 2023

    I believe the same steps that Greg_S outlined above should work on the Mac side as well.

    Greg_S.
    Greg_S.
    Community Expert
    November 30, 2023

    Adobe support will not help you with Elements 2019. 

    J
    JerryGuthrieAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    November 30, 2023

    Dang!  That's good to know upfront!  Thank you! 

    Greg_S.
    Greg_S.
    Community Expert
    November 30, 2023

    I know nothing about Macs.  So the following is what would happen in Windows.  I will ping @Jeff Arola, another Community Expert, who will be able to tell you if there are any Mac idiosyncrasies involved.

     

    1.  Any change of folder hierarchy must take place in the Folders panel hierarchy.  The panel must be in Tree View, and because you have empty sub-folders, you need to right-click on the parent folder and select Show All SubFolders from the context menu.  (When you move folders as explained below, you may need to select Show All SubFolders again to refresh the list.)  Once you have the folder tree in view, you simply click the sub-folder and drag it to its new location.  In your case, if you drag the Photo Library folder above the year sub-folders, the selected parent-child hierarchy will be moved.  Here is a screenshot demonstrating what will happen:

     

    On the left, I have created 4 levels of sub-folders under the parent folder, 2004.   Levels 1-3 are empty.  Level 4 has a photo which is displayed.  I have then click-and-dragged the Level 3 folder to the 2004 parent folder.  The result is shown on the right.  Level 3 has now been moved to be a direct sub-folder of 2004, and Level 4 is under it with the photo intact.  (Level 3 is still empty.)

     

    2.  Read this HelpX article which explains how to move your catalog from one computer to another.  I think my recommendation would be to shorten your paths first on the old machine.  Although, it would be possible to create a new and different hierarchy when you restore the backup to the new computer, this can sometimes be tricky and produce unexpected results.

     

    3.  It is not necessary to install your old version on the new machine.  Once you restore the backup of your catalog to the new machine using Elements 2024, it will be converted to the new format automatically.  Since the old version won't work correctly with the Sonoma OS, there is really no need to install it there.  The only caveat is if you purchase Elements 2024 with the prior owner discount from Adobe.  Then, when you install it, you may have to enter the old serial number first to demonstrate that you qualify for the discount.  (I'm not sure whether that is still the requirement or whether it is determined from your Adobe Account ID credentials.  In any event, if you enter a new serial number that is not accepted, you should enter the old serial number first.)

    J
    JerryGuthrieAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    November 30, 2023

    Thank you for you advise and guidance!  That is very informative and helpful!  I appreciate that very much!  I do have a complete new full licensed version of PSE 2024 as I suspected I may encounter that issue.   Thank you for your reply and guidance and the person to contact for any IMac issues.  JerryG

    S
    sanhodo417406323
    Inspiring
    November 30, 2023

    It seems to me that the best expert guidance should come from Adobe.  A phone call should do it.  I transferred all my photos from a very old iMac to a new one without problems and found that my old PSE wouldn't work so I had to upgrade to PSE 2024.  There was no problem with that either, so I now have two PSE versions, one for editing and the other for printing using Canon's Print Studio Pro.  The newest PSE version hasn't been upgraded to work with the Canon software. Good Luck Texas54

    J
    JerryGuthrieAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    November 30, 2023
    Thank you for your feedback. I thought I would starry in this forum with more experienced users than I, but I may need to contact Adobe.
    Jerry Guthrie
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