Move catalogs (PSE 2019) from PC computer to PSE 2021 running on Mac computer & external SSD

@meg576 

My question is how to install PSE2021 to run on the internal SSD of the Mac but with all the other files for the two imported catalogs on the external SSD. What is the difference between 'convert' & 'restore' when creating new catalogs?

Let's start with "Convert".

Each new version of the Organizer brings changes in the structure of the database and the catalog folder. You have to "convert" old catalogs to the structure of the new version. All the info in the old catalog is kept and translated in the new format. Nothing is changed in the photo/video files themselves.

You have to convert when upgrading to a new format on the same computer: you get a prompt to do it when installing the new organizer version.

The backup and restore is meant to save both your images with their tree structure AND your catalog WHILE keeping the links in the catalog database to the new destination drive of the restore. This allows restoring on the same computer and location OR in another computer or drive or master folder. As a result,

- the files folder tree is recreated on the destination drive

- The catalog folder is recreated also on the destination drive

- it is UPDATED to link to the new location of each photo file

- if necessary it is automatically CONVERTED to the new format.

As indicated above, the restored catalog folder is now on the destination drive. You can choose to move the catalog folder from the destination drive to the default location on the master folder.

However, it seems that you want to share the same catalog and the files on the external drive either from the PC or from the Mac.

With Windows only, it's enough to keep the restored catalog on the external drive and to plug it alternatively to two computers.

With Windows and Mac, I don't know how you can share in that way.