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Recover catalog and images after resetting preferences

  1. Lightroom Classic User Guide
  2. Introduction to Lightroom Classic
    1. What's new in Lightroom Classic
    2. Lightroom Classic system requirements
    3. Lightroom Classic | Common Questions
    4. Lightroom Classic Key Concepts
    5. Lightroom Classic tutorials
    6. Set Preferences for working in Lightroom Classic
    7. Reset Preferences for working in Lightroom Classic
  3. Workspace
    1. Workspace basics
    2. Display the Library on a second monitor
    3. Personalize identity plates and module buttons
    4. Watermark your photos in Lightroom Classic
    5. Color management
  4. Import photos
    1. Specify import options
    2. Set import preferences
    3. Import photos from a camera or card reader
    4. Import photos from a folder on a hard drive
    5. Import photos automatically
    6. Import photos from Photoshop Elements
    7. Import photos from a tethered camera
    8. The Filename Template Editor and Text Template Editor
  5. Organize photos in Lightroom Classic
    1. Face recognition
    2. Work with photo collections
    3. Group photos into stacks
    4. Flag, label, and rate photos
    5. Use keywords
    6. Metadata basics and actions
    7. Find photos in the catalog
    8. Work with video in Lightroom Classic
    9. Advanced metadata actions
    10. Use the Quick Develop panel
  6. Process and develop photos
    1. Develop module basics
    2. Create panoramas and HDR panoramas
    3. Flat-Field Correction
    4. Correct distorted perspective in photos using Upright
    5. Improve image quality using Enhance
    6. Work with image tone and color
    7. Masking
    8. Apply local adjustments
    9. HDR photo merge
    10. Develop module options
    11. Retouch photos
    12. Cure red eye and pet eye effects
    13. Use the Radial Filter tool
    14. Adjustments with Lens Blur
    15. Edit and Export in HDR
    16. Remove Tool
  7. Viewing photos
    1. View photos
    2. Browse and compare photos
    3. Set Library view options
    4. Share photos for comments and feedback
    5. Smart Previews
  8. Export photos
    1. Export files to disk or CD
    2. Export photos from Lightroom Classic
    3. Publish photos online
    4. Export to hard drive using publish services
    5. Presets for export, and other settings
  9. Work with external editors
    1. External Editing preferences
    2. Open and edit Lightroom Classic photos in Photoshop
  10. Manage catalogs and files
    1. How Lightroom Classic catalogs work
    2. Create and manage catalogs
    3. Back up a catalog
    4. Locate missing photos
    5. Create and manage folders
    6. Manage photos within folders
  11. Maps
    1. Work with the Map module
  12. Photo books
    1. Create photo books
  13. Slideshows
    1. Create slideshows
    2. Slideshow module panels and tools
    3. Specify the slide layout
    4. Add overlays to slides
    5. Play and export slideshows
  14. Print photos
    1. Print module basics
    2. Print module layouts and templates
    3. Work with print job options and settings
  15. Web galleries
    1. Create web galleries
    2. Use the Web module panels and tools
    3. Work with web gallery layouts
    4. Work with web gallery templates and settings
    5. Preview, export, and upload web photo galleries
  16. Keyboard shortcuts
    1. Keyboard shortcuts
  17. Content Authenticity 
    1. Content Authenticity in Lightroom Classic
  18. Lightroom and Adobe services
    1. Creative Cloud Libraries
    2. Using Adobe Stock in Creative Cloud apps
  19. Troubleshooting 
    1. Fixed Issues
    2. Known Issues
  20. Technical Support
    1. Performance Guidelines
      1. Basic troubleshooting steps to fix issues in Lightroom Classic
      2. Optimize performance
      3. Keep Lightroom up to date
      4. Preference file and other file locations | Lightroom Classic
      5. Allow Permissions to Lightroom Classic on macOS
    2.  Technical issues
      1. GPU Issues
        1. Troubleshoot graphics processor (GPU) and graphics driver issues | Lightroom Classic
        2. Lightroom Classic GPU FAQ
      2. Startup Issues
        1. Windows | Lightroom doesn't start
        2. Error: Lightroom catalog cannot be opened
        3. Error: 'Unexpected error opening catalog' occurs in Lightroom after Windows 10 upgrade
        4. "Assertion failed" update error | Windows
        5. Error MSVCR110.dll opening apps in Windows 10
      3. Rendering Issues
        1. Troubleshoot issues with Develop module
      4. Stability Issues
        1. Troubleshoot crash or freeze in Lightroom Classic
      5. Miscellaneous Issues
        1. FAQ | Color in Lightroom Classic
        2. Lightroom desktop and mobile apps unavailable to Education memberships | Kivuto
    3. Workflow Issues
      1. Catalog Issues
        1. Error : Lightroom catalog cannot be opened
        2. Troubleshoot corrupt catalog
        3. Locate missing photos
        4. Recover catalog and images after resetting preferences
        5. Lightroom Classic catalog FAQ
      2. Sync Issues
        1. Lightroom Classic sync FAQ

When you reset Lightroom Classic's preferences, the name and location of the current catalog is reset. When you start Lightroom Classic after resetting your preferences, locate the appropriate catalog. Otherwise some or all of your images will be missing.

Save your catalog information before you reset preferences

Write down the name and location of your current catalog before you reset your preferences. In Lightroom, choose Edit > Catalog Settings > General (Windows) or Lightroom > Catalog Settings > General (Mac OS). Your catalog name and location are listed in the Information section. You can also click the Show button to go to the catalog in Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac OS). Before you reset your preferences, write down the current catalog's location and name.

Catalog information
Catalog information

Reset your preferences

To reset your preferences, do the following:

  1. Quit Lightroom Classic.

  2. Navigate to the preferences file:

    • Windows: C:\Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Preferences\Lightroom Classic CC 7 Preferences.agprefs
    • macOS: /Users/[username]/Library/Preferences/com.adobe.LightroomClassicCC7.plist
    Note:
    • Important (macOS): The user Library file is hidden by default on Mac OS X 10.7 and later. For temporary access to the user Library file, press Option and choose Go > Library in the Finder.
    • Important (Windows): The AppData folder is hidden by default. To view it, choose Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > File Explorer Options. In the Advanced settings area of the View tab, make sure that Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives is selected. Then click OK.
  3. Drag the preferences file to the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS).

Get your correct catalog back

When you start Lightroom Classic after resetting preferences, it might ask you to upgrade your catalog. Follow these steps to get your correct catalog back.

  1. If you've been working in a catalog, do not choose Upgrade. Instead, click Choose a Different Catalog

    Note: Choosing Upgrade converts the catalog you used in your previous version of Lightroom Classic to the current version. You probably already did this step when you installed the most recent version of Lightroom Classic. Doing it again doesn't display your current photos, and many files could be missing.

    Lightroom Catalog Upgrade dialog box

  2. The next dialog box that appears lists the catalogs that Lightroom Classic sees initially. If your catalog is not on this list, click Choose A Different Catalog.

    Make sure that you don't choose a catalog here that is not your actual catalog. If you do, you could see differences in the images in the catalog and the edits to some of the images, and missing photos.

    Note: The catalogs you see listed could have different names from what is shown below.

  3. In the Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac OS) window that appears, navigate to the location in which you saved your current catalog. Select that catalog and click Choose.

  4. The catalog you chose is added to the Select Catalog window, at the top of the list. Select that catalog, and click Open.

  5. If you always want to use this catalog, select the Always load this catalog on startup check box. It's probably best to select Test integrity of this catalog also.

Locate and verify your catalog

If you skipped the first section of this document (Save your catalog information before you reset preferences) and don't know the name of your catalog or where it is located, try the following:

  1. Look in the default location: 
    • Windows: C:\Users\[user name]\Pictures\Lightroom\
    • Mac OS: /Users/[user name]/Pictures/Lightroom/
  2. Search your hard drive for files ending in *.lrcat or lrcat to find all your catalogs. When you get the list, select one, right-click, and choose Properties (Windows), or select one and choose File > Get Info (Mac OS). You see the file location and information about when it was last modified to help determine which catalog you've been working with.
  3. You might need to open several catalogs to determine which is the correct, most recent one. If you have many catalogs, keep careful notes on what catalogs you opened, where they're located, and any other details necessary to compare them.
  4. You probably have many catalogs on your computer that were created when you backed up your catalog. Be careful that you don't open and start using one of these catalogs instead of your actual, most current catalog. By default, backed-up catalogs are located in C:\Users\[user name]\Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom <version> Catalog\Backups\ (Windows) or /Users/[user name]/Pictures/Lightroom/Lightroom <version> Catalog/Backups/ (Mac OS). However, if you change the location when you run a backup, they could be in other locations instead.

Look for these things to help you determine which catalog to use from now on:

  • Are there unexpected missing files?
  • Are the most recently added files correct?
  • Are all your collections and keywords available?

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