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Lightroom Classic

Lightroom Classic

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  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

Learn how to restore your preferences to default settings.

One way to troubleshoot issues in Lightroom Classic is to reset preferences. By resetting preferences, you start Lightroom with a clean slate, which can often resolve various issues or simply give you a fresh start with your settings.

Restore preferences to default settings

Presets

When you attempt to restore Preferences and the Store presets with your catalog option are selected, Lightroom Classic will not point to the presets stored with the catalog. As a result, it may appear that you've lost your presets, but they are still stored with the catalog. 

To resolve this, do one of the following:

  • Disable Store presets with your catalog. If you've already restored Preferences, then enable this setting.
  • Copy the contents in the Lightroom Settings folder to the following folder:
    • macOS:  Macintosh HD/Users/<user name>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Camera Raw/Settings
    • Windows:  C:\users\<user name>\appdata\roaming\Adobe\Camera Raw\Settings

Plugins and Plugin Settings

Plugins might go missing after one restores Preferences. To avoid this, store the plugins in the following folder:

  • macOS: Macintosh HD/Users/<user name>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom/Modules
  • Windows: C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Modules

Publish plugin settings do not reset as they are stored with the catalog, however, any other plugin settings or presets will be restored to default. Any missing plugin will need to be added to Lightroom Classic after restoring Preferences.

Use any one of the following methods to restore Lightroom Classic preferences to their default settings:

Method 1: Use keyboard shortcut

  1. Quit Lightroom Classic.

  2. macOS: Press and hold the Shift + Option keys.

    Windows: Press and hold the Shift + Alt keys.

    Note:

    The Windows shortcut can be used in the Creative Cloud desktop app while the macOS shortcut works from both the Creative Cloud app and the Dock.

  3. While holding down the keys, launch Lightroom Classic. The following dialog box appears:

    For macOS:

    A pop-up box of Reset Lightroom Classic preferences is opened where Reset Preferences button is selected.
    (macOS) Reset Lightroom Classic Preferences

    For Windows:

    A pop-up box of Reset Lightroom Classic preferences is opened where Yes button is selected.
    (windows) Reset Lightroom Classic Preferences

Method 2: Manually delete the preferences file

  1. Navigate to the following location:

    macOS: /Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/

    Windows: Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Preferences\

    Note:

    macOS: The user Library file is hidden by default. For temporary access to the user Library file, press Option and choose Go > Library in the Finder.

    Windows: The AppData folder is hidden by default. To view it, 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. Then click OK.

  2. Drag the following files to the Recycle Bin on Windows or to the Trash on macOS:

    macOS: com.adobe.LightroomClassicCC7.plist

    Windows: Lightroom Classic CC 7 Preferences.agprefs

  3. Restart your computer and launch Lightroom Classic.

Note:

For more information, see Preference file and other file locations | Lightroom Classic.

Method 3: Reset all Preferences and Relaunch

  1. In the Preference dialog box > General tab, press and hold:

    For Mac: Option key

    For Windows: Alt key

    Note:

    By default, the Reset Preferences and Relaunch button is hidden and is only visible by selecting the mentioned button both in Mac and Windows.

  2. Select the Reset all Preferences and Relaunch button in the General tab of the Preference dialog box.  

  3. For macOS, select Reset Preferences from the pop-up box.  

    A pop-up box of Reset Lightroom Classic preferences is opened where Reset Preferences button is selected.
    (macOS) Reset Lightroom Classic Preferences

    For Windows, select the Yes button from the pop-up box.  

    A pop-up box of Reset Lightroom Classic preferences is opened where Yes button is selected.
    (windows) Reset Lightroom Classic Preferences

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