Move catalog from one computer to another

Report · Sep 12, 2017

I’m still using Photoshop Elements 9 to handle/ archive my photos, but I am going to move my photo-work to a newer computer. The picture are stored in a removal harddisk.

As I understand, the method is to make a back-up of the catalog by using «File Back-up», which contains the information about each picture, and simply restore it in the new computer.

Doing this the back-up process crashes each time I try around 80%. I get an error message. I tried to restore the back-up file as it was (80%), but the file was not recognized as a back-up file.

I planned to buy a newer version of Elements, but before I will do this I have to get his problem solved. It would be a tremendous job to give all my picture new tags.

Can anyone out there give advice on how to deal with this problem, I would be very greatful

Einar Smestad

[Private information removed by Moderator]

Report · Sep 12, 2017

If the pictures are stored on an external drive, the solution is much simpler and faster.

The content of the catalog is still valid when you plug your external drive on another computer.

So, all you have to do is to create a copy of your catalog folder (location found in the menu Help >> System Info) also on the same external drive. If you have the same Elements version installed on the new computer, just click on the catalog.pse9db file in that catalog folder copy and the organizer will open with that catalog.

If you want to upgrade to a new Elements version, a catalog conversion is necessary.

Install the trial version of Elements.

After doing the catalog copy as explained above, use the menu File >> manage catalogs and click on the convert button. You'll have to browse to the new catalog conversion to start the process.

Report · Sep 13, 2017

Thanks for Your response, it was very helpful.

I didn't find the catalog on the external drive, but copied it from my old computer.

Another challenge popped up, I discovered a catalog from PSE ver. 5 and together with the catalog from the old computer and one from the new one, I had 3 catalogs. It seems not to be possible to move files from one catalog to another, but is possible to merge the catalogs? I would prefere to have only one catalog.

Are you able to advice me on this item also?

Yours sincerely

Einar Smestad

Report · Sep 13, 2017

einars40047064 wrote
Another challenge popped up, I discovered a catalog from PSE ver. 5 and together with the catalog from the old computer and one from the new one, I had 3 catalogs. It seems not to be possible to move files from one catalog to another, but is possible to merge the catalogs? I would prefere to have only one catalog.

You are right, having a single catalog is recommended. Unfortunately merging catalogs is far from being easy.

Photoshop Elements 6/7/8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

There is also a problem with version 5 and older: they use a different database engine (Microsoft Access instead of Sqlite). You need another process to move those catalogs:

Convert-organizer-catalog-elements-13-64

Report · Sep 14, 2017

Thank you, again.

The procerus was so comlicated that I started too investigate if the "wanted catalog" contained the information in the "unwanted catalogs", and it did. I could simply delete the "Unwanted catalogs"

Your Sincerely

Einar Smestad

Report · Sep 14, 2017

Thanks for the feedback!