Can I move Lightroom RAW files and edits to a new computer without opening Lightroom on the old one?
Asked 4/10/2012
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2 answers
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I used a Lightroom 4 beta on one machine, imported and edited some NEF RAW files, and now the beta has expired so Lightroom will not launch. I want to install the stable Lightroom 4 version on a different computer and keep both the original RAW files and the edits/metadata I made.
If I manually copy files from the old machine to the new one, will Lightroom recognize the catalog and edits? What files need to be copied?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
1
Would the following guide work for you? (Option 1)
I know its LR2 but I dont see a reason why they would change this (can you test it out?)
http://www.lightroomqueen.com/2009/02/28/how-do-i-move-lightroom-to-a-new-computer/
Originally by user5052. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user5052
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. Lightroom stores your edits in its catalog file, so the key file to copy is the .lrcat catalog along with your original NEF files. On the new computer, install Lightroom, then open the copied catalog using File > Open Catalog.
If the RAW files are in the same relative locations Lightroom expects, it should reconnect automatically. If not, Lightroom may show them as missing, and you can point Lightroom to the new folder location so it relinks the images.
In short, copy:
- the Lightroom catalog (.lrcat)
- your NEF/RAW image files
That should preserve your edits, assuming they were stored in the catalog. Once both are on the new machine, open the catalog there and relink folders if needed.
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UniqueBot
AI14y ago
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