Library module OneDrive - Moving Files to Lightroom Classic

[cjonesmn]

Lightroom Version Number

14.4

Operating System

1. Windows 11

I have quite a few photographs on OneDrive that I want to transfer to my local hard drive, then import into Lightroom Classic and finally remove from OneDrive.
For 2025, is there a quick and easy way to do this ;-). If not what are the steps I need to follow? Thank You!

 

[clee01l]

Since One Drive stores a local token as a place holder for the file stored in the Microsoft Cloud, you need to to first copy these files to a folder that is not under the control of One Drive. Once you have the real image file stored locally, you can use the Classic import function as you normally would.

 

[cjonesmn]

Since One Drive stores a local token as a place holder for the file stored in the Microsoft Cloud, you need to to first copy these files to a folder that is not under the control of One Drive. Once you have the real image file stored locally, you can use the Classic import function as you normally would.

Thank you... two follow-ups.
1) Do you know of a way to move files without changing the file modification date or other dates associated with that file?
2) Is there a way to find duplicate files on a hard drive? Lightroom just won't import if it's duplicate file, correct?

 

[clee01l]

Thank you... two follow-ups.
1) Do you know of a way to move files without changing the file modification date or other dates associated with that file?
2) Is there a way to find duplicate files on a hard drive? Lightroom just won't import if it's duplicate file, correct?

1. No. The file system controls the modified tag. This is different from the creation date and the capture date.
2. If you specify to not import duplicates in the Lightroom Import dialog, it won’t import a file a second time. There are Lightroom plugins that will identify duplicates that did get imported IN the Lightroom catalog. There are many “duplicate Finder’ apps available as standalone programs that work with the file system. One that I use is Gemini II. I think it is Mac only.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Gnits]

I use Beyond Compare when I need to copy files in bulk. There are many other similar products. I will use explorer if I am dealing with a few files via drag and drop... but if lots of files I prefer to see progress of the copy task via a good GUI.

It is possible to configure Beyond Compare to preserve timestamps...

Others use RoboCopy, which is a free utility... However, I am not familiar with its settings. You will find lots of tutorials on this.

GoodSynch also preserves timestamps...

Duplicate Files....
I would be nervous to provide advise on handling duplicate files ... mainly because files with the same names in different folders may contain different content or may be previous versions of files, etc...

Copying From OneDrive.
I now have a personal policy of keeping zero files inside OneDrive and have removed it from my system... I have had too many issues ...

However, if I was copying files from OneDrive... I would copy the files to an external drive (USB fob or disk) ... because some of the one drive files might be tokens rather than real files.. it is prudent to leave the copy running for some time and then double check that all the files have travelled from OneDrive Cloud to your external drive. Copying to an external drive helps ensure that you are copying to a destination outside of OneDrive influence.

Only when I have all my files on an external drive would I consider deleting them from the OneDrive ecosystem.

You can log into OneDrive via a Web interface and review what files are actually in the OneDrive cloud.

 

[cjonesmn]

I use Beyond Compare when I need to copy files in bulk. There are many other similar products. I will use explorer if I am dealing with a few files via drag and drop... but if lots of files I prefer to see progress of the copy task via a good GUI.

It is possible to configure Beyond Compare to preserve timestamps...

Others use RoboCopy, which is a free utility... However, I am not familiar with its settings. You will find lots of tutorials on this.

GoodSynch also preserves timestamps...

View attachment 26637

Duplicate Files....
I would be nervous to provide advise on handling duplicate files ... mainly because files with the same names in different folders may contain different content or may be previous versions of files, etc...

Copying From OneDrive.
I now have a personal policy of keeping zero files inside OneDrive and have removed it from my system... I have had too many issues ...

However, if I was copying files from OneDrive... I would copy the files to an external drive (USB fob or disk) ... because some of the one drive files might be tokens rather than real files.. it is prudent to leave the copy running for some time and then double check that all the files have travelled from OneDrive Cloud to your external drive. Copying to an external drive helps ensure that you are copying to a destination outside of OneDrive influence.

Only when I have all my files on an external drive would I consider deleting them from the OneDrive ecosystem.

You can log into OneDrive via a Web interface and review what files are actually in the OneDrive cloud.

Great info. I love Beyond Compare, but have not used it for locating duplicate photo files. I'll likely copy the OneDrive photos to a USB drive first before moving them anywhere else and then import them into Lightroom... good suggestion!

The only reason some of my files ended up in OneDrive was because early on I forgot to disable the photo storing portion. It's been disabled for a while, but I'm just getting around to cleaning that mess all up. Thanks again Gnits!

 

[Califdan]

There are two categories of duplicate detection programs on the market. Some can run as an LrC Plugin and some can't.

The first category is based on metadata. In these you specify which metadata fields you want it to comapre and in what order. In some of these programs the more fields that match the higher the "probability" score is and you can set a threshold for how high a score is needed for the program to declare images as duplicates.

The second category is "visually similar". These actually look at the content of the pixels to determine how similar images are to each other. This can take a considerable amount of time for large numbers of images. The way these tend to work is that the program internally produces a low res monochrom version of the images (in some such programs you can specify how low those low res images are). It then compares those low res images. Some of these programs have the ability to detect rotated and mirror images as well as a cropped version can match it's uncropped original.

In both cases the program typically give you some sort of display showing the "matches" grouped together side by side and allow you to choose which one to keep and which should be considered as dups. Most of these programs then let you decide how to handle the dups. This may include adding a keyword to the dups, putting them in an LrC collection, physically deeleting them, moving them to a different folder Etc.

Some caution should be used as most of these actions take place outside of LrC so can easily result in "missing images" inside LrC. But, this can be an advantage. if you first assure that you have no missing images in LrC, run the duplicate finder program outside of LrC and have it delete, rename or move the dups on disk, then go back into LrC and find all misisng again those will be the dups and can be removed from LrC.

Attached is a list of some of these programs with notes I made for myself many years ago (I'm sure there are newer programs on the market since I wrote this). Much of the info came from various websites I found through a Google Search. Take it or leave it.

 

[Gnits]

Great info. I love Beyond Compare, but have not used it for locating duplicate photo files

BC would not be a general purpose duplicate file finder.... but it is superb for identifying matching files when comparing folders or folder structures.

If you are going to use BC to maintain Timestamps ... it took me a bit of effort to set up..... and I had a long dialogue with with their tech support...

I use BC in the field to back up my main External Ssd drive and it is essential it maintains timestamps. I use a MacAir when travelling ... and their were serious bugs in this area on Mac... which I am told are now resolved...

So I would test your settings to ensure timestamps are preserved before doing your main copy job.

 

[cjonesmn]

Copying From OneDrive.
I now have a personal policy of keeping zero files inside OneDrive and have removed it from my system... I have had too many issues ...

However, if I was copying files from OneDrive... I would copy the files to an external drive (USB fob or disk) ... because some of the one drive files might be tokens rather than real files.. it is prudent to leave the copy running for some time and then double check that all the files have travelled from OneDrive Cloud to your external drive. Copying to an external drive helps ensure that you are copying to a destination outside of OneDrive influence.

Only when I have all my files on an external drive would I consider deleting them from the OneDrive ecosystem.

You can log into OneDrive via a Web interface and review what files are actually in the OneDrive cloud.

Okay, on to handling OneDrive files... If I want to move a specific folder out of OneDrive sync management... what's the best way to do this?
Can I just drag and drop that folder to a non-OneDrive managed folder (via File Manager) OR is it best just to copy that folder to it's new destination and then delete the original folder from the OneDrive managed folder?

 

[Gnits]

Because OneDrive may leave tokens on your drive and keep the real files within the OneDrive Cloud…. I am extra careful.

My preference is to copy the files / folders of interest to an external drive. I then reconcile the files. Delete the files from OneDrive then copy the files to my new destination. If the images are in multi tier folder structures, preserve the structure, so it is easy to re connect the images to the LrC catalog.

As you are familiar with Beyond Compare this should be a trivial exercise. If there are images to be downloaded from OneDrive then you need to allow time for the downloads to complete… thus the care and need to reconcile when finished (again.. very easy with BC).

There may be shorter methods….

Remember the folders of OneDrive can be configured and extra folders from other parts of your system may form part of the OneDrive folder set. This is the exception for most people.. but it is a gottcha if you have that scenario.

 

[cjonesmn]

Because OneDrive may leave tokens on your drive and keep the real files within the OneDrive Cloud…. I am extra careful.

My preference is to copy the files / folders of interest to an external drive. I then reconcile the files. Delete the files from OneDrive then copy the files to my new destination. If the images are in multi tier folder structures, preserve the structure, so it is easy to re connect the images to the LrC catalog.

Okay, just need some clarification...

When you say:
"copy the files / folders of interest to an external drive. I then reconcile the files. Delete the files from OneDrive then copy the files to my new destination."

Are you actually saying:
"copy the files / folders of interest to an external drive. I then reconcile the files [compare OneDrive original to copied files on external drive files/folders?]. Delete the files from OneDrive then copy the files to my new destination [? if you first delete from OneDrive how do you copy them to new destination ?]

Thanks.

 

[Gnits]

1. The files/folders you wish to remove from OneDrive influence should be copied to the External Drive.
2. To be sure... you reconcile these images back to the OneDrive . This should be easy with BC.

3. If reconciled successfully you can delete the files/folders from their respective OneDrive location.
4. Last step .. copy the files now on the external drive back to where you want to keep them going forward (but outside any OneDrive location).

 

[cjonesmn]

1. The files/folders you wish to remove from OneDrive influence should be copied to the External Drive.
2. To be sure... you reconcile these images back to the OneDrive . This should be easy with BC.

3. If reconciled successfully you can delete the files/folders from their respective OneDrive location.
4. Last step .. copy the files now on the external drive back to where you want to keep them going forward (but outside any OneDrive location).

Perfect! Thank you Gnits!!

 

[gegjr]

Perfect! Thank you Gnits!!

Not to photo bomb your post with Gnits but I had to do the same thing back a while ago. Because OneDrive was causing a delay. I used to for a very long time keep my catalog files on an external HDD and then on a SSD. That was because I had a laptop and a desktop and it was easier to keep my catalog and associated files on an external drive I could move around and have access to no matter where I was at or which PC I was using, laptop or desktop. I finally got rid of the desktop and only had a laptop so to try to prevent latency, I kept automatically write changes to XMP checked because that is what I liked and it never caused a problem with my old workflow and multiple computer setup. Anyway, I decided to move the catalog and associated files back to my laptop hard drive I forgot that OneDrive was managing all my files. I forgot for a long time. Then I started noticing a latency with shutting down LrC and I think it was in part due to the automatic option to write changes to XMP. I think because my new camera files were really big. Anywady, to the point. I found I had to first had to disconnect OneDrive from my PC and remove the OneDrive app otherwise OneDrive kept wanting to sync the files. Deleting the OneDrive app meant I no longer had file archives available on demand from OneDrive. So I had to start using OneDrive online and when saving a document I had to understand I could save it to my computer or actually go online and save it directly to OneDrive. I also have Dropbox and Adobe Cloud that I can use. I hope if this doesn't help you that it helps someone else trying to break the ties to OneDrive.

Regards,
GG

 

[Gnits]

To complement post #14.

I have a really fast internal Nvme M2 drive. Despite this… I now keep my catalog, last 2 years images and all my personal data files (docs, spreadsheets, etc) on an external SSD. The main reason is the same as above… I can bring the external SSD with me when I travel and my small M2 MacAir plus the external drive are perfect companions. Also.. I am always using the same catalog (at home or when travelling), so LrCloud only ever sees the same catalog.

I am sure OneDrive is perfect for many scenarios, but was a series of multiple disasters for me. When I want to synch data between machines or share data online I use Dropbox. Dropbox is only active (running) when I am actually in the act of sharing data. I regard Dropbox as temp storage and remove all folders from dropbox after a few days.

 

[cjonesmn]

I am sure OneDrive is perfect for many scenarios, but was a series of multiple disasters for me. When I want to synch data between machines or share data online I use Dropbox. Dropbox is only active (running) when I am actually in the act of sharing data. I regard Dropbox as temp storage and remove all folders from dropbox after a few days.

gegjr and Gnits... Yes, I couldn't agree more. I never intended to have OneDrive take control of my personal photography (in my Pictures folder) BUT on a recent update, it somehow took control of these folders (I probably missed an update setting) and so now I'm screwed. I'm trying to get my system back to the original setup before this update and it's been a ton of work.

I don't mind OneDrive adding certain document folders... in fact I kind of prefer it, BUT when it took control of my personal files and photos it really ticked me off. My "undoing" work continues....

 

[gegjr]

gegjr and Gnits... Yes, I couldn't agree more. I never intended to have OneDrive take control of my personal photography (in my Pictures folder) BUT on a recent update, it somehow took control of these folders (I probably missed an update setting) and so now I'm screwed. I'm trying to get my system back to the original setup before this update and it's been a ton of work.

I don't mind OneDrive adding certain document folders... in fact I kind of prefer it, BUT when it took control of my personal files and photos it really ticked me off. My "undoing" work continues....

Cjonesmn; if you haven't already done so I recommend disconnecting OneDrive from your system by going into the settings and quitting all sync activity. Then, and this Is important part, delete the OneDrive app from your computer otherwise it will continue to try to be the default storage location for your files. OneDrive is like JASON in the horror movies. It won't die!

 

[cjonesmn]

Cjonesmn; if you haven't already done so I recommend disconnecting OneDrive from your system by going into the settings and quitting all sync activity. Then, and this Is important part, delete the OneDrive app from your computer otherwise it will continue to try to be the default storage location for your files. OneDrive is like JASON in the horror movies. It won't die!

Agreed, it is a beast, but I do like being able to share certain microsoft documents across all my devices so I'm kind of stuck with it. That said, when it comes to my photography (and other creative work) I definitely want to be able to control where my originals and backups are stored.

My lesson learned here is that when an update is made to Windows, the update install will often ask if you want to enable OneDrive. If you already have OneDrive installed, DO NOT say "yes" OR it will throw all of your Document, Pictures, and Desktop files/folders onto OneDrive. Instead answer "NO" (or ignore) and just go into settings to select/select which folders/files you want managed by OneDrive option. Lesson learned... the hard way.

 

[Gnits]

I create my own MyDocs folder which is stored on my external SSD. It is completely outside any Microsoft special folders. I add a Quick shortcut to this in Explorer.

I use Roon Music Server .. so all my music is available to my various hifi systems and via iPhone and iPad native apps. I have configured Roon so it updates automatically my albums or tracks marked as faves .. and these are automatically transferred to the Roon Arc app on my iphone or ipad, which I can use when I want music while driving my car... on an airplane etc.

The net result is that all the Microsoft 'Library' Folders are there but are completely empty and have removed their respective shortcuts from the Explorer folder panel.

I have removed OneDrive completely ... as an effort to track down my PC performance issues... not sure I gained from that but at least OneDrive is off my main system.

All my contact info is within Outlook and synchs automatically to my contact and email apps on my other devices.

I use Dropbox if I need to share files or folders to another one of my PCs or laptops or to share with another person.

I am not pushing any specific approach, other than make the point that there are many varied approaches.

There is no perfect option .. and everyone eventually evolves a workflow which works for them.

 

[cjonesmn]

I create my own MyDocs folder which is stored on my external SSD. It is completely outside any Microsoft special folders. I add a Quick shortcut to this in Explorer.

I use Roon Music Server .. so all my music is available to my various hifi systems and via iPhone and iPad native apps. I have configured Roon so it updates automatically my albums or tracks marked as faves .. and these are automatically transferred to the Roon Arc app on my iphone or ipad, which I can use when I want music while driving my car... on an airplane etc.

The net result is that all the Microsoft 'Library' Folders are there but are completely empty and have removed their respective shortcuts from the Explorer folder panel.

I have removed OneDrive completely ... as an effort to track down my PC performance issues... not sure I gained from that but at least OneDrive is off my main system.

All my contact info is within Outlook and synchs automatically to my contact and email apps on my other devices.

I use Dropbox if I need to share files or folders to another one of my PCs or laptops or to share with another person.

I am not pushing any specific approach, other than make the point that there are many varied approaches.

There is no perfect option .. and everyone eventually evolves a workflow which works for them.

Okay, yes we do all have different workflows and needs, but a couple of questions:

1) When you say "All my contact info is within Outlook and synchs automatically to my contact and email apps on my other devices", are you just logging into your mailserver from each device?

2) Dropbox hasn't historically worked for me because if I change a file on my PC, I want to see those changes on my iPhone, iPad immediately. I don't want to have to manually upload those files to Dropbox each and every time I make a change. Is Dropbox now able to somehow synch automatically? (I haven't used it for a while)

 

[gegjr]

Okay, yes we do all have different workflows and needs, but a couple of questions:

1) When you say "All my contact info is within Outlook and synchs automatically to my contact and email apps on my other devices", are you just logging into your mailserver from each device?

2) Dropbox hasn't historically worked for me because if I change a file on my PC, I want to see those changes on my iPhone, iPad immediately. I don't want to have to manually upload those files to Dropbox each and every time I make a change. Is Dropbox now able to somehow synch automatically? (I haven't used it for a while)

Short answer is yes. You will have to use the App. At least for Windows. I don't know about MAC?

 

[Gnits]

On your mobile device, you can define / configure per account if you want to synch certain items such as email, contacts, notes, calendars, etc.

Eg. On my iPhone I have set it to synch email, contacts, notes, calendar with my Outlook account, but only synch email to my Google account.

My Google email account is very secondary in terms of my email usage.

So, I can manage my contacts on any of my devices, including Outlook under Windows on my main desktop system.


Dropbox.

https://www.dropbox.com/resources/sync-iphone-and-ipad

I am transactional in terms of my use of Dropbox. Ie Use dropbox to share folders or files. I provide time to move such files folders to their desired destination and then remove them from dropbox. I do not want Dropbox to be an ever increasing pool for vast amounts of data or images as sometimes I need to share significantly large folders.

But, I understand your requirement… I suspect you will find the specific answers you need in the link above.

 

[clee01l]

2) Dropbox hasn't historically worked for me because if I change a file on my PC, I want to see those changes on my iPhone, iPad immediately. I don't want to have to manually upload those files to Dropbox each and every time I make a change. Is Dropbox now able to somehow synch automatically? (I haven't used it for a while)

The purpose of file sharing apps like DropBox, One Drive, iCloud etc. is just that to share files over the network. Mostly they work by storing a token on the local computer and the actual file in the Cloud. File sharing folders are identical on all devices. Lightroom Desktop and Mobile apps work the same way. When you save a local file to the file sharing location, the file is sent to the cloud storage area and a token is left behind. Then no matter which device or where you open the file, the file sharing app will download the file and you can then open it. The speed of your internet connection and the size of the file determines how quickly this occurs.

I think originally, Dropbox stored a copy of the file at every location but if the device was not used regularly, the file on that device could be an older version and not updated until the internet connection for Dropbox was established. This some times created out of sync issues. By going to the token method, only the master files is held in the Cloud. This plays havoc with system backup apps that simply copy the files found locally and do not wait for a Dropbox to provide an up to date file from the cloud. LrC has this same problem because Apps like Dropbox interfere with the Previews folder and the Catalog folder must be open and available when LrC is running.

 

[gegjr]

On your mobile device, you can define / configure per account if you want to synch certain items such as email, contacts, notes, calendars, etc.

Eg. On my iPhone I have set it to synch email, contacts, notes, calendar with my Outlook account, but only synch email to my Google account.

My Google email account is very secondary in terms of my email usage.

So, I can manage my contacts on any of my devices, including Outlook under Windows on my main desktop system.


Dropbox.

https://www.dropbox.com/resources/sync-iphone-and-ipad

I am transactional in terms of my use of Dropbox. Ie Use dropbox to share folders or files. I provide time to move such files folders to their desired destination and then remove them from dropbox. I do not want Dropbox to be an ever increasing pool for vast amounts of data or images as sometimes I need to share significantly large folders.

But, I understand your requirement… I suspect you will find the specific answers you need in the link above.

I pretty much do the same as far as my mobile devices, except I am android, Samsung Galaxy A54 5G and Kindle tablet.
Although, I have a Google account and Gmail account, Gmail is not my primary email. I've used Outlook email, calendars and contacts since what seems like the beginning of time, more than 4 decades, and I'm now 74. Would have probably switched to Gmail but because of my work was too invested in Microsoft. I have used Microsoft since before it was Windows and before it was a GUI OS. That goes back to the days of DOS when you used command lines and there was no mouse.
As for Drobox I primarily use it as depository and to keep stuff I don't need daily access to. But, I also use OneDrive in that respect, too. And lately have also been using Adobe Cloud and Google Drive for storage and sharing, too.

 

[cjonesmn]

Dropbox.

https://www.dropbox.com/resources/sync-iphone-and-ipad

I am transactional in terms of my use of Dropbox. Ie Use dropbox to share folders or files. I provide time to move such files folders to their desired destination and then remove them from dropbox. I do not want Dropbox to be an ever increasing pool for vast amounts of data or images as sometimes I need to share significantly large folders.

But, I understand your requirement… I suspect you will find the specific answers you need in the link above.

Interesting, I haven't really used Dropbox for a while, so this capability is all new to me. Thank you Gnits!