Just got a new computer? One of the questions we’re most frequently asked is ‘How do I move Lightroom to a new computer?’ It’s one of those scary moments when you know all your precious photos and edits rely on getting the move right, and unfortunately there’s plenty of conflicting instructions and bad advice to be found. For example, do you…
- Just copy the photos and then Import into Lightroom?
- Write Metadata to the files (XMP) then import into a new catalog?
- Synchronize the folders once you’ve moved?
- Export as Catalog and then use that?
- Something else..?
There’s a much better way that avoids the potential pitfalls of any of those methods. Our blog post summarizes the best way to move to a new computer, and has been updated several times over the years, but we’ve gone one stage further.
How about a guide that you can have as a PDF reference that takes you step-by-step through the process of moving Lightroom? From preparation, the best way to move and how to tidy-up once you’ve moved? You’ll be pleased to know we’ve updated our PDF eBook Adobe Photoshop Lightroom – Moving to a New Computer. You can download it free of charge.
To download, just register for a FREE account, click the verification link in your email and log in. Under Content & Downloads, select Moving Lightroom to a New Computer from your Free Membership section. There’s lots of other goodies in there included with your free membership too, including the Quick Start eBooks for both Lightroom Classic and the Cloud ecosystem, free monthly Newsletter and access to our Community Forums.
If you already have an account with us, then simply sign-in to download your FREE copy.
We hope you enjoy the updated eBook!
For many more questions and tips on Lightroom Classic, see our book Adobe Lightroom Classic – The Missing FAQ.
There are a number of files that your book about moving LR to a new computer-
– *.Lrcat-shm
– *.Lrcat-wal
– *Lrcat-data
-*Helper.Lrdata
-*Sync.Lrdata
I can not find any of these but LR seems to be working fine on my desktop. I dont know what I need to do before proceeding the transfer of my LR catalog to the new Macbook. My plan os to use LR when away and do most of the work upon returning home. I still want the ability to edit on location using LR classic.
The lrcat-data file contains AI-based masks and remove adjustments, so that should be next to your catalog too. That one is essential to copy if it exists (which it should for most people).
The Helper file is a performance cache, it should be next to your catalog, but it would be recreated if you don’t copy it.
The lrcat-shm and lrcat-wal files are temporary data storage and they only get created when needed, so if they’re not next to your catalog, that’s fine.
The Sync.lrdata will only be there if you use cloud sync.
I’ll add some extra clarification around those files, thanks for flagging it up.
So are you moving to a new computer, or is this just a temporary move for your travels? If you still plan to continue using your desktop, you might want to look at this blog post instead: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/classic-on-vacation/ Or this one: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/how-to-lightroom-catalog-multiple-computers/
Hard drive crash on Mac
Restored from time machine and trying to open classic
Some photos appear but get box that says try or purchase
No finding my account in adobe cc
Hi Alan
If it says try or purchase, then you’re not logged into your Adobe account in the CC App (or not the one you’re paying a subscription for Classic on).
Visit account.adobe.com and try logging in, there you will be able to check it’s your Adobe account that you have a subscription running on, then use that account in the CC App to log on.