farwest Loc: Utah

I dread every time my C drive gets full and I have to move my photo's to another drive. I just can't get it right so Lightroom will recognize all the edits I did on the photo's I move to another drive. Wondering what is the best way to keep everything intact. Also what if I decide to move my photo files from 2 or 3 external drives to one big one. If there are different catalogs for some of the drives and I combine them is that going to cause a hornet's nest. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I use 4GB external drives and keep all my original image files on the external drive (1 primary, 1 duplicate / back-up copy). I keep only my LRCAT file on the local C: drive. I back-up (copy) the entire contents of the \Lightroom folder onto the externals HDs periodically.

If you have multiple external drives, consider consolidating onto a single, larger drive. Your 'edits' are kept in the LRCAT file. After moving your images around, you just need to go into LR and update the file location to the new location. This can be done with high-level updates that cascade downward updating hundreds / thousands of images automatically.

Look into your \Lightroom\Backups folder on you C: drive and delete everything other than the most current dated backup. That's usually a quick way to recover space in an emergency situation. Afterward, manually empty your Windows Recycle Bin.

farwest Loc: Utah

Thank you I need to buy some bigger externals. I have been using G-Drives

MichaelH Loc: NorCal via Lansing, MI

When moving Lightroom files you should use Lightroom to do the moving and it will keep track of the edits.

If you mistakenly use Windows Explorer to move the files you will need to go to the new folder location in Lightroom and "right click" on it and "Synchronize Folder...". And if you want to change an image's name use Lightroom for that as well to keep it all synchronized.

So when you want to move your images to a new hard drive start by adding the new hard drive to Lightroom's Folders pane on the left hand side of the program and create the new folder that you want to be the images' containing folder using Lightroom. Then in the Folders pane just drag the folders in this pane that you want to move to the new location onto the new folder you have created and drop them there and Lightroom will move them there and retain your edits.

Check out this "How To" link:
https://www.lightroompresets.com/blogs/pretty-presets-blog/moving-image-files-via-lightroom-1

Ollieboy

I just bought a Samsung 1tb ssd for $110 and will be cloning it as my new c drive. Old one was a 256gb which was supposed to be for Windows only. Over the years it's almost filled. I don't want to delete anything as my luck as it is, I delete important files.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Create a new folder on your external drive. Move the pics to the new folder (Call it archives folder or something).using LR. All your edits should show up. Don't forget to back up your pics & catalog (lrcat) (I think) to another external drive or the cloud.

Good luck, Tom

WJShaheen Loc: Gold Canyon, AZ

Several years ago, I installed a 256gb SSD and moved all data to a 2nd, "D", internal 1tb drive that I use for non-OS files.

"C" is for Software; "D" is for Data.

In addition, I use separate 4tb HDD for backing up both C & D.

This "scheme" has worked very well for over time.

Bill in Gold Canyon, AZ

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

It's not a very good idea to store data on the C drive. Partition your drive and save data on the other partition.

OlinBost Loc: Marietta, Ga.

Keep the "Temp" folder empty. And "Clean" the drive of unneeded backup files.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

As long as you moves files from within LR it will know where they are. Additionally, you should try to limit your HD to only 2/3 or 3/4 full at the most. I don’t think that multiple catalogues are really necessary unless you’re a pro and need the extra capability for commercial reasons to keep various types of jobs separate.

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

My latest build uses a 2TB M.2 PCIe (Sabrent) drive for applications and OS and a 6TB Seagate IronWolf HDD. The mechanical drive is for storage of all data. It can easily be 'swapped out' for another drive.

Dik

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I just slap a 1 or 2 TB on the side of my desktop (or laptop) case, I keep a set in my desktop, and export a set to the external drive. When the "must save" stuff on the internal drive reaches about a year old, I move that to external storage. I also keep the SD cards with originals for approx. a year, then they get transferred, some with really important memories are never reformatted (really, storage is so cheap, I have a half dozen new cards, 32 & 64 GB in my cart, along with a couple other little needs, I'll snap them up soon).

If you want SSD they are still a little pricey, getting better, but the spin drive prices have been coming down nicely, the 1 and 2 TB drives were $50-60 last time I looked, and that was just at B&H, I'm sure there were deals in many places...

If you worry about messing things up, just duplicate/copy all pics to an external drive, then you can free up lots of space. Another thing is to delete duplicate files, search your drives for duplicates (I'm always surprised at how many show up when I do this). Not just pics, but everything. If you use you computer for everything: Also use something like Ccleaner to get rid of all the crap that finds it's way in each week, that usually frees up a couple gigs each time.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

As has been said, the BEST way to move images in the Lr Cat is to do it all from within Lr. If that is done, no need to find/locate anything. I do this all the time, pretty much at the end of each year. I do NOT store anything on my C drive except apps. Best of luck & Happy Holidays.

hogilbert

There are a couple of YouTube videos that explain in simple terms how to move LR images from one drive to another. You can use Microsoft or LR, both methods are explained but LR is best.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I use a 8TB to store and my 3TB (that I filled and moved to a 8TB) as my working drive. I keep minimal amount on my internal drive.