Tommg

Recently built a new computer (12 core cpu, 64 gig ram, m.e ssd , etc, etc) Computer has 4 internal hd (1 ssd, 3 regular drives - C drive has OS, Programs and whatever else windows decides to place on this drive. Another internal drive is where I store all my pictures and the lightroom catalog. When I was loading Adobe (LR classic & PS) I specifically placed the catalog on the drive with the pictures.

Recently I noticed the 1 TB C drive was about 70% full, which surprised me. Checked it out and found lr catalog along with 480 gigs of pictures, all deeply inside a "one drive" folder, don't know how it got there, still a mystery.

Also checked the P drive with all my pictures and found the LI catalog there also, along with 7 helper data file folders, 5 Preview folders, 5 sync folders, 1 LR settings folder, 1 2021-01-01 1900 folder, 1 backup folder
and 8 LR6 catalog files. LR recently upgraded their catalog files to V 10.

Don't know what is going on here but I plan to delete the LR catalogs which are in the C drive in the "one drive folder, I have never used one drive so surprised to find the LR catalog and pictures there.

The Plan: I plan to delete all of the LR catalogs and pictures from the C drive, Delete all of the backups on the P drive with the exception of 3 or 4 of the most current backups. Not exactly sure what to do with all of the helper, preview & sync folders same goes with the settings folder, the 2021-01-01 folder. Also plan to remove 6 or 7 of the oldest catalog files.

Any thoughts will be appreciated - thanks.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

What's the date of the LR catalog on C:? Are the pictures on C: duplicates of what's on the drive where you store your main pictures?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Start by opening your LR software and then Edit / Catalog Settings. Double-check where you think your v10 LRCAT file resides is in fact where LR also says the file resides. If this setting is as expected, you seem to have valid plan to clean up everything. I'd spend some time verifying the dates on folders and files and assure nothing has been updated in 2021 that is a candidate to be deleted.

You might also delete some things and ask LR to scan the catalog and confirm nothing then becomes missing. Take the OneDrive. You likely can delete this folder from the highest level with little risk. But, when that deletion is completed, open LR and use Library / Find All Missing Photos. This will elongate the clean-up process, but will also give you step by step opportunities to discover and recover from any unexpected problems.

JeffR Loc: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

You also need to check and probably change your One Drive backup settings, so you don't end up right back in the same situation again.

Tommg

On the C: drive the lr catalog- v10 was updated 1/6/2021
No, the pictures on the C: drive are only 480 gb of the pictures taken in 2020 only a small portion of the sum total of all my pictures which are well over 1.5 tb ... however they take up way too much space on my 1 tb ssd

Tommg

As a start to your questions:
under edit catalog settings, it is not where I expect the catalog to be located, however, when I go to file/open the catalog is where I expect it to be and it is the latest version when I look at v10 with the most current time stamp. Keep in mind this was all taking place when I receive the notice that LR was updating to v10. Tust I probable did the update on both the C drive and the P drive, however, the P drive has the most current time stamp with the v10 version, and it has the most current file folder with the pictures taken with my new camera (EOS 90D). kinda confusing?

Tommg

I have already done that, the catalog now resides in the P drive

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Rather than simply deleting files, perhaps first rename them, then see what happens. If all is well, then proceed to delete them.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

And what ever you do make a backup of the entire PC on another external drive and an emergency boot disk/usb/whatever so that if Murphy rears his head you can recover what you have now with the present problems instead of a whole new set of problems which MIGHT INCLUDE having all those images on the C drive and maybe others go POOF!!!

Two days ago for a sign in problem (My Microsoft account sign in page is blank-can't sign in to my account.) Microsoft's tech told me to load all new drivers for my components, esp my mother board and video card and reset some of the options (it didn't work, I still get signed our several times a day from apps, email etc). He also told me to turn off all antiviral, antimalware etc while I did that in case conflicts between security apps was the problem - several of my programs I got for other things are trying to be all things to all people and have added security suits to their programs so instead of just Malwarebytes and Windows Defender working together I now about 5 different security suites some of which turn themselves back on every time I start the computer so I have to turn them off again. When I said I was going to make an extra backup of the whole PC and a fresh emergency recovery media (Acronis does both of those) the tech told me that is a very good idea. Better to be back to the old problems I know a work around for than a new set, or even wipe out a lot of my files, apps and data.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

And after you get the LR catalog and file issues sorted out, you need to find out why Windows created the OneDrive folder to begin with. OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage system, which you apparently have enabled. If you don’t address that, it will likely recur - it’s apparently syncing your local OneDrive folder to your Microsoft OneDrive cloud account.

tcthome Loc: NJ

First make a back up or copy all your photos to another drive for a safety of having a second copy(which should be doing anyway). I use to keep my catalog on the d, hdd drive & found that some of my processing was too slow. I added a new photos folder (from inside LR) for new imports on the C drive & leave them there until I think I'm done with edits & move them to what I consider my storage, D drive. Do you keep exports of jpeg's , etc in your picture folders on the C drive? Anyway, it sounds like your catalog is in your Pictures Library Folder on your C drive.
ONCE AGAIN, BE CAREFULL WHEN YOU START DELETING PHOTOS!!!

tcthome Loc: NJ

[quote=Tommg]I have already done that, the catalog now resides in the P drive[/quote

Click on quote reply so they know who you are replying to.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

After you get your issue solved, I would leave your catalog on the C drive and store your pictures on a much larger external drive. 1 gig is almost trivial space and it's just a matter of time before you fill it up. In addition check to see just how many backup catalog files you have. Some people save every time the exit LR and the excess just chew up space. Save 3 or 4 and can the rest.

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

Take note of this idea! Whenever you are tempted to delete what you suspect is a redundant set of files just rename set at the top level and use the program for a while. Delete them only after you are certain they are unnecessary. I just add -old to the what you think is the top of the heap and let it rip. If it works out you can safely reclaim the space by deleting the old file and all of its sub files. On the other hand if you blew things up just delete the -old from the top level name and no damage to repair.

Returning to the original problem, Lightroom uses default locations for storing user files including the master files from the camera and the catalog files (.lrcat and .lrdata). But one can and probably should locate them with an eye toward performance and ease of backup and restore. I configure and build my own desktop computer to place those files on dedicated drives. I find it just easer but a desirable side effect is that technique “hides” your files from the operating system by not placing them in a file named “Pictures”. Modern system try to “help” you by concealing the exact location of these special files and eventually go rogue and make a disastrous mess of you precious data. Do it yourself and keep it simple and understandable.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I think the One Drive folder is a placeholder for the cloud storage for Windows. I just ignore it, don’t use it.