Moving Lightroom to a new computer?

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/06/2008 09:07:11 PM · #1

So, I got a new PC (Windows), and I need to move my Lightroom catalog and such over to it. I did a bit of Googling, but I didn't find anything that fit exactly where I'm at. Namely, I have all of my images (RAW files) from the old computer accessible from the new one in exactly the same place as they were before. That is, everything on the C: drive I have moved to the same place on the new machine already, and everything else is on an external drive (G: on the old and new).

I really just need to move the catalog and whatever else there is to the new PC and put it in the right place, right? My problem is that I don't know where any of the Lightroom files live, and I don't know if there's anything else I need to do.

Anybody out there with some advice? Thanks!

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

09/06/2008 09:27:06 PM · #2

You should be able to move the lightroom catalog just as any other file is moved. Once it's in the new spot go into lightroom and click open catalog, find it where you put it and open it up.

ETA: You should back up your catalog before you move it, just in case.

Message edited by author 2008-09-06 21:28:23.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

09/06/2008 09:31:54 PM · #3

Where does the catalog live? What's the file name/extension? I have no clue what I'm looking for...

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

09/06/2008 09:35:19 PM · #4

The extension for the Lightroom catalog is lrcat

As far as where it is, fastest way to to find it would be to do a file search on your computer.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/06/2008 09:45:51 PM · #5

Good stuff, people! I'm currently copying the catalog and preview data folder over to the new machine!

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

09/06/2008 11:18:47 PM · #6

cool, just so you know, when you do load that catalog it might not know where you have your pics since you might have them in a different place then you did on the last computer. Not a problem though b/c it lets you show it where to find the pics on the new computer, just know where they are(usually my pics) and it will do the rest.