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Lightroom (cloudy): possible to copy Smart Previews to new computer to speed up fresh sync?

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bibendum

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May 21, 2021
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36
Lightroom Version Number
4.2
Operating System
  1. Windows 10
Hi. Due to a technical problem I will get a new computer soon. As a fresh LR sync of all my 110k+ pics (with Smart Previews stored locally enabled) takes quite a while, I'd like to know if it is possible - and makes any sense - to copy the application data including the smart previews to the new computer. This way, the Smart Previews would not have to be re-created. I'm on Windows 10. Thanks!
 
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There is nothing to copy to a new computer if you use Lightroom desktop. And no, copying the smart previews of another computer won’t help. Lightroom desktop downloads all it needs locally from the cloud. Just install the app, login and wait…
 
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I know all that, thanks. My question only concerns the Smart Previews, which I like to keep on my hard drive. I was wondering if copying the corresponding folder (with about 110k+ pics after all) would cause LR not to re-create the Smart Previews again. I know I don't "need" this step, but I'd like to know if this would save some time.
 
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It might work if you copy the entire local library. Provided the library is in the correct location on the new system, there's a good chance it will work. Why not try it and let us know how it goes?
 
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I ended up letting everything sync from scratch again. Much easier, and with up-to-date hardware not much of a hassle, even with my 112k pics and local Smart Previews enabled.
 
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Jim Wilde said:
It might work if you copy the entire local library. Provided the library is in the correct location on the new system, there's a good chance it will work. Why not try it and let us know how it goes?
Click to expand...
I tried it previously, it did not work.
There are some unique aspects to the internal naming structure. Likely to help reduce conflicts.

Tim

Sent from my HD1907 using Tapatalk
 
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Thanks for letting us know, Tim.
 
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