Help with Lightroom on a new computer

[rubadubcdn]

Lightroom Version

5.6

Operating System

1. Windows 8
2. Windows 11

I recently purchased a new PC laptop which is replacing my old Windows 8.1 laptop. I have backed up all my photos and catalog onto a external drive. My question is " Do I have to install Lightroom onto my new laptop prior to copying the Lightroom pictures and catalog?" I really don't want to use the Adobe Cloud subscription.

 

[Jim Wilde]

I recently purchased a new PC laptop which is replacing my old Windows 8.1 laptop. I have backed up all my photos and catalog onto a external drive. My question is " Do I have to install Lightroom onto my new laptop prior to copying the Lightroom pictures and catalog?" I really don't want to use the Adobe Cloud subscription.

No, it doesn't matter in what order you do the install versus copying the images and catalog. But because you might also want to copy the Lightroom Preferences, Presets, etc., it makes more sense to do the install first, then copy over all the data. See this blog post: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/how-move-lightroom-to-new-computer/