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 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? To celebrate our website upgrades, we’ve created a new PDF eBook that you can download 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 CC, 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 new eBook!
For many more questions and tips on Lightroom Classic, see my book Adobe Lightroom Classic – The Missing FAQ.
Thank you
My hard drive recently died and was replaced. I think I have my back ups. But I am not sure about getting my Lightroom 4 back in operation. I have windows 10
You’d need to contact Adobe Support for the installer if you don’t still have the disc, and then install it like you did the first time.
tHANK YOU
Currently LR cc looks to F (my external drive) for my photos. I was told that in doing so, my photos are not being backed up. Also told that I have enough space on the internal drive to import there and work on them there. My back up software would then back up that drive.If I want a a “copy” on another drive what would be the simple process to do that. I have tried to ask on the forum but have failed to get an understandable answer.
Hi Judy. It would be easier to set your backup software to back up the external drive, otherwise what’s the point of having an external drive?
If you put the originals on the internal drive and then you want a copy on another drive, again, you use backup software.
A tip – if you ever post on the forum and don’t understand the answer, ask further and be specific about what you do and don’t understand. And stick to one question at a time, ideally on separate threads, because if you skip around, the responses will also skip around and you’ll find it difficult to follow.
If you’re having trouble understanding file management and backups, you might be better off with the cloudy version of Lightroom. It’ll handle all of that for you.
I have been using just a Mac Book Pro but have now bought an iMac . How do I put my Lightroom onto my new iMac and use both the machines?
Moving one way is covered in the free eBook mentioned in this post, but using both machines is a bit more complicated. Since I know you have my Lightroom Classic book, have a look at the Multiple Computers section starting on page 404.
Thank you so much for this guide. I have just moved my photo collection (50k+ images) from my old computer to a new one, and the step by step checks were invaluable, especially the preparatory steps.
Yes, there were some breath-holding moments but the few issues that I encountered were all fairly minor and addressed by the guide.
I would have struggled to get it all transferred, and in the same familiar structure, along with all of the additional files, without it.
Brilliant! You deserve a medal (but please accept my heartfelt thanks in the meantime!)
I’m really pleased it helped Guymundo!
Is there a better guide for moving from Mac to PC? It’s easy enough to find locations on either system but transferring between the two systems doesn’t seem to match up for preferences and presets.
Transfer from the listed Windows locations on one machine, to the listed Mac location on the other machine. Preferences aren’t cross-platform, but presets are. If you’re getting stuck, where are you getting stuck?
I have premium membership but there’s nothing on this page that tells me how to download Moving Lightroom to a New Computer – New FREE eBook
When you’re logged on, go to Downloads and you’ll see it under the Free Membership section.
Victoria: I am in the middle of a transfer from one computer to another, and your guide has been a HUGE help. One question. The computer I am transferring from is on Lightroom CC 2015-12. I will be installing the the latest Lightroom Classic version on my new computer (I am Creative Cloud subscriber). When I get to the last step in your guide (chapter 7) and “Double-click on the *.lrcat catalog file to open it”, will there be any problem since it is a catalog file from version 2015.12?
That should be fine, it’ll just ask permission to upgrade.