New Computer, Win 10, how to transfer photos in Elements

[jmillsp]

Started to try to get my new Win   10 computer up and running today. It has been pretty much a nightmare for me. Part of the problem, is that I don't understand exactly how the photos in my Elements 15 are saved or not. I have file folders from several different years that I keep on my desktop but also have several catalogs of photos in Elements 15, 14, and a couple others I don't remember the number of right now. At any rate, I don't want to lose any of my photos but not sure how or if I can transfer the Elements programs over to my new computer with the photos in them or not. I need someone to help me with this, if possible. Sorry for my lack of knowledge. I know I have lost photos before or at least it seems I have as I sometimes will click on a photo in a catalog and it will say searching for it but never finds it! I have also seen where I just have a question mark up for the photo in a catalog. Your help will be most appreciated and I apologize for my ignorance.

[MichelBParis]

On one side you have your images stored in your computer drive(s). You can see them and manage them (move, delete, rename...) from your Explorer or Finder.

On the other side, you are using catalogs in the Organizer. Catalogs are just lists, sophisticated lists, but only lists of pointers to the real location on your drives together with the info about each image (exif, tags, captions...)

So, that explains why you may have 'missing' or 'disconnected' files in your catalog. If you move, delete or rename files from the Explorer or finder (or even from a different catalog), the pointer in the catalog is wrong. Reconnecting may be very difficult for the organizer.

In your situation, the organizer provides a way to move your images files as well as your catalog folders to another computer or drive.

Move Elements Organizer catalog

This is a very frequent process which ensures that both the image files and the current catalog are moved where you want and that the pointers to the files location is updated in the catalog.

In your case, that is several catalog versions, you'll have to think about what you want to do with the old catalogs from older PSE versions or for other (non current) catalogs from the latest version. The above process can be made separately for each catalog from its original organizer version (PSE14, 15...)  The question is to decide where to store the restored catalog without creating problems with the already restored catalogs and images. It's safe to restore to a different master folder on the destination drive, but that will create duplicates.

[jmillsp]

Trying to follow you here. I am admittedly slow on the uptake. As I understand it, all the photos that I can see in my "catalog" within Elements, are on my computers hard drive somewhere. I have now put all my photos from my old computer that I knew existed onto my new computer and to save space, have put them onto a 2 tb hardrive that is my D drive. C is only a 500gb SSD and  I want to keep it with as little data as possible for speed sake. If I now put Elements 15 onto my new computer, would you put it on the C drive under programs or D? Also, when I do that, will it automatically recognize the photos that were in the catalogs previously and put them back in? I am not sure how I will now know which photos were in the catalogs? I am also wondering if I even need to put any of the prior versions of Elements back on my new machine?? Would this be a good time to go with a new version of Elements altogether?? I was having issues with 15 when I tried to upload photos to it as it would say something like the photo was a duplicate or something like that. I finally solved that issue by loading all my files into a file on my desktop and then copying them into Elements from their but I think I end up with photos that I don't necessarily want that way. Thanks for all your time and help!

[MichelBParis]

As a matter of fact, Hatstead suggestion can also be used after the backup and restore solution.

With your good description of the present situation, it's possible to suggest an efficient workflow.

You have already copied all your old files to a new external drive.

That's good.

(Side question:  I suppose you can use that external drive alternatively on both computers?  )

It would be interesting to know how much diskspace that requires for your image files. I think that with 2 tB you are at ease.

The general idea is:

1 - to use the backup and restore function now, restoring on a new master folder on your D drive.

2 - to use Hatstead suggestion to import everything already copied on the external drive into the new restored catalog. The duplicate protection of the organizer will ignore files already in the catalog.

3 - to get rid of the ignored duplicates, it's possible to select all the files in that 'import batch' and to move them to a new, different folder on your D drive. Then you can delete the remaining files from the location you copied them. If they have not been imported, that means they are duplicates. You delete those files from your Explorer or Finder.

If that is ok for you, i can go into more details.

Note that the backup and restore process generally requires a second external drive. If you don't have one, you can use the same external drive if you have enough space (about three times the size of your media files library). The process will be longer and you'll have to be careful to store the backup folder separately. Anyway, you'll need another drive for future backups...

For the moment, I would not bother with older Elements versions, but in case of need, you could reinstall them in the new computer.

- if you don't intend to use the old computer, deactivate all Elements versions (menu Help >> deactivate). That will make possible to reinstall them in the new computer.

- look for the location of the different catalog folders (menu Help >> System information) and archive those catalog files.

[jmillsp]

I have copied my known photos to my D: drive in my new computer. It is a 2 TB hard drive but not an external one. Probably doesn't matter but wanted to clarify. I am not positive I have copied all of my photos? Is there a way to know for sure? Ya, I am sure I have plenty of space, I am moving from a 1 TB drive.

If I install Elements 15 onto my new computer, it wouldn't have any files in it, would it? Wouldn't it be like starting all over?

I have to go now, so will try to absorb the rest of what you are saying when I return. Thanks!

[MichelBParis]

ruserious1234  wrote

I have copied my known photos to my D: drive in my new computer. It is a 2 TB hard drive but not an external one. Probably doesn't matter but wanted to clarify.

Yes, it does not matter.

You'll simply need an external drive with enough space to contain your backup folder for the transfer via backup and restore (and to hold future backups). You can quickly estimate the size of your media files by checking your D: drive. The backup feature also shows the needed space in the beginning of the process.

I am not positive I have copied all of my photos? Is there a way to

know for sure? Ya, I am sure I have plenty of space, I am moving from a 1  TB drive.

It's possible that you have not copied media files stored in unexpected folders, such as in web downloads. I don't think that matters much, since the suggested process makes sure that:

- all the files managed in your current current catalog will be restored, whatever their original location

- all the files you have copied will be checked and imported if not duplicates.

If I install Elements 15 onto my new computer, it wouldn't have any files in it, would it? Wouldn't it be like starting all over?

No files in Elements, yes, because Elements (organizer) does not contain any file and you get a clean, empty new catalog. Only if you are restoring in the same catalog (not your case) you are prompted to 'convert' the last current catalog, which creates a new copy in the current format, the conversion, if needed, is automatic.

Take the time to read the link I gave above.

Be sure to create a new master folder under the D: root folder, such as 'Restored Photos'. You'll specify that folder in the restore process.

Your folder tree will be recreated as before, and the catalog folder will be also stored just under 'Restored Photos' ('custom' location for your catalog in the catalog manager).

Also, more about the third step above.

After you have run the import process for your previously copied files, the organizer has a useful feature:

You sort your library by 'Import batch'. That allows you to select the imported files. Good idea:  add a tag for them.

Since you can select those files, you can move them all to a single folder different from where you copied them. Create a new folder for that move, just under the D/ root drive, such as 'Copied Photos'. This is a way for you to know that you can freely delete the remaining previously copied files from your Explorer to free space on your D: drive. After that, you only have two master folders, which you can manage from the organizer later.

[jmillsp]

Thank you for all your knowledge and help. I am trying to follow you to the letter here. I have now made a backup copy of all photos in all my catalogs onto an external harddrive. I have about 8 or so catalogs and really, the only reason I have 8 is because I have had problems trying to upload photos into Elements 15 for the past year or so. Always coming up and telling me that the file already exists or something like that. I found a work around by loading them first onto my desktop in a file and then transferring from there, rather than directly from the sd card. At any rate, I really see no need for those various catalogs so am wondering if I might be wise to try to just make one catalog for them all??

Now, relative to what you are telling me previously, are you saying I should now make a folder in my D: drive called Restored photos or Copied Photos and then plug my external drive that I have copied them onto and transfer or copy them into that folder file?

[MichelBParis]

You have already copied your photo files to your D: drive. If you have chosen to copy the files while keeping the folder tree, the folders are either directly under the D/ root folder, or in a master folder you have created for the pupose. Anyway, what is important is that you may be able to separate clearly:

- the copied photo folders. If you have created a single master folder that will be simple. If your copy resulted in several folders just under the root drive instead of a single one, you'll have to take all of them into account when importing after the restore.

- the folder created to receive the 'restore' from your external backup. I suggested 'Restored Photos'.

- A different master folder 'Copied Photos' to receive the batch of imported photos (which ignored duplicates).

You already have:

- the master folder or the different folders in which you have copied your photos on D:

- The backup folder in your external drive.

Step one now:

- Do the restore process from your external drive to the 'Restored Photos' folder.

Then, do the Import task from either the master folder or the various folders under D: root (ignore the restored photos folder in the latter case).

In the organizer, sort your images by 'Import batch'. You can select the imports you have just done, and move those files in the 'Copied Photos' folder. After that, only duplicates will stay in the folders you have already copied your media files. The managed files in the catalog will be in the 'Restored Photos' folder, the non-duplicates imported from your copy will be in 'copied Photos' and only duplicates will remain where you have copied them. You now can delete them from the Explorer.

[jmillsp]

Yes, I may be creating a mess? I did already copy most of my pics to D: drive. I believe they are in the Photos folder. I thought I also needed to backup all of what was shown in Elements onto an external drive, so I have done that but haven't tried installing Elements onto the new machine yet or transferring photos into Elements on the new machine. Now, I am wondering some about installing new software completely. I have been thinking about Lightroom instead of Elements 15 since I have had issues with Elements 15. Also thought about just going with Elements 18 but don't know if 18 is causing any of the same issues I was having or not. Biggest issue was the inability to directly transfer photos from the sd card to Elements as it constantly came up telling me there were duplicates and wouldn't transfer unless I made a folder on my desktop to import them from.

[MichelBParis]

The apparent 'mess' on your new drive is only temporary. Of course, you have to install Elements on the new computer to begin with.

If the copy you have already made on D: is under a 'Photos' master folder, you start with that single master folder. That folder will be used to recover files not in your last catalog, and it will be finally deleted with a single explorer command.

You restore the latest catalog in a second master folder

You 'import' non duplicates from the 'Photos' folder. The files are indexed in the catalog; the catalog still points to the 'Photos' location.

No change in master folders at that stage.

Then you decide to select the files from that 'import batch' and to move them outside of the 'Photos' folder. The 'move' command will put all those selected files in a single third folder and the 'Photos' folder will only keep the duplicates'; no danger to delete  it from the explorer.

What is left on D: ?

- the folder resulting from the restore

- the folder resulting from the non-duplicates you have already copied.

You can move and manage folders and subfolders later from the catalog manager.

Note that I challenge Lightroom experts to find a similar and as simple workflow.

- The organizer only can export both media files and catalogs at the same time

- Lightroom on the other hand allows merging catalogs...

[jmillsp]

Thanks! I have taken so much of your time and am very appreciative of it and your knowledge! Part of my problem is trying to understand it all and that is not your fault but mine. As I understand your last paragraph, you would stick with Elements? Do you know if they have resolved the issues with uploading photos from the sd cards so they are not recognized as duplicates in Elements 18?

[hatstead]

It seems to me that you have an opportunity to create order out of chaos. The photo-files are not stored in the organizer, they are on your disk wherever you put them.

Consider repopulating the organizer from scratch on your new computer, leaving old catalogs and tags behind on the old machine. You don't have to do this in one day!

My 2 c worth.

[jmillsp]

Please see my response to Michel and thanks for the tips!

[missb0307]

How do I import pictures from my google photos instead of the ones that are saved to just my computer? Any help is much appreciated!

[MichelBParis]

missb0307  wrote

How do I import pictures from my google photos instead of the ones that are saved to just my computer? Any help is much appreciated!

You'll have to download your Google photos on your computer.

Use the Google help or many tutorials on the web, such as:

How to download photos and videos - Photos Resources

Once they are on your computer, you can use the organizer to import the download photos 'Import from files or folders'.