Important information for all platforms
- The files and file locations given here are defaults. Some of these locations can be customized in the Lightroom Classic Preferences or Catalog Settings dialogs.
- While troubleshooting, when possible, rename files instead of deleting them.
- If possible, back up catalogs on a different hard disk or volume from the disk where your catalog is located. For more information on backing up in Lightroom Classic, read Back up a catalog.
File locations in macOS
Note: The user Library file is hidden by defaultr. For temporary access to the user Library file, press Option and choose Go > Library in the Finder.
The Lightroom Classic application file /Applications/Adobe Lightroom Classic/Adobe Lightroom Classic.app
Preferences
- Lightroom Classic: /Users/[username]/Library/Preferences/com.adobe.LightroomClassicCC7.plist
On macOS, after you delete the above file, restart your computer, then relaunch Lightroom Classic while holding the shift + option. In the dialog, select Reset Preferences.
Catalog /Users/[username]/Pictures/Lightroom/Lightroom Catalog.lrcat
Preview cache /Users/[username]/Pictures/Lightroom/Lightroom Catalog Previews.lrdata
Smart Preview cache /Users/[user name]/Pictures/Lightroom/Lightroom Catalog Smart Previews.lrdata
Catalog lock file /Users/[user name]/Pictures/Lightroom/Lightroom Catalog.lrcat.lock
Note: The lock file prevents the catalog from being overwritten when in use.
Catalog journal file /Users/[user name]/Pictures/Lightroom/Lightroom Catalog.lrcat-journal
Open catalogs use the journal file to check for incomplete database records. Do not delete the journal file unless you're deleting its associated catalog as well.
Catalog backup /Users/[user name]/Pictures/Lightroom/Backups/[date and time of backup]/Lightroom Catalog.lrcat
Presets and templates
- (.lrtemplate) Presets or templates in the .lrtemplate format are stored at: /Users/[user name]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom/[preset or template folder]/[preset or template filename.lrtemplate]
- (XMP) Beginning with Lightroom Classic, the existing presets in the.lrtemplate format are automatically converted to a new XMP preset format. After conversion, the new XMP presets are saved at: /Users/[user name]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw/Settings
- (Presets stored with the catalog): If you've enabled the Store Presets With This Catalog option in the Lightroom Classic preferences, the presets and templates files are saved at: MacHD/[catalog location]/[catalog folder name]/Lightroom Settings/Settings
File locations in Windows
Note: Some of the folders you're looking for could be hidden. To view them, choose Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Folder Options. In the Advanced area of the View tab, make sure that Show Hidden Files and Folders is selected, and then click OK.
The Lightroom Classic program file C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Lightroom Classic\Adobe Lightroom Classic.exe
Preferences
- Lightroom Classic: C:\Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Preferences\Lightroom Classic CC 7 Preferences.agprefs
To reset your preferences in Windows, restart Lightroom Classic and immediately press the Shift + Alt keys. In the resulting Reset Preferences dialog box, indicate you want to reset your preferences.
Catalog C:\Users\[user name]\Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom Catalog.lrcat
Preview cache C:\Users\[user name]\Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom Catalog Previews.lrdata
Smart Preview cache C:\Users\[user name]\Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom Catalog Smart Previews.lrdata
Catalog lock file C:\Users\[user name]\Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom Catalog.lrcat.lock
Note:The lock file prevents the catalog from being overwritten when in use.
Catalog journal file C:\Users\[user name]\Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom Catalog.lrcat-journal
Note: Open catalogs use the journal file to check for incomplete database records. Do not delete the journal file unless you're deleting its associated catalog file as well.
Catalog backup C:\Users\[user name]\Pictures\Lightroom\Backups\[date and time of backup]\Lightroom Catalog.lrcat
Presets and templates
- (.lrtemplate) Presets or templates in the .lrtemplate format are stored at: C:\Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\[preset or template folder]\[preset or template filename.lrtemplate]
- (XMP) Beginning with Lightroom Classic, the existing presets in the .lrtemplate format are automatically converted to a new XMP preset format. After conversion, the new XMP presets are saved at:
C:\Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\CameraRaw\Settings - (Presets stored with the catalog): If you've enabled the Store Presets With This Catalog option in the Lightroom Classic preferences, the presets and templates files are saved at: C:\Users\[user name]\[catalog location]\[catalog folder name]\Lightroom Settings\Settings