Where Is Your Lightroom Classic Catalog Stored?
Lightroom Classic catalog (.lrcat) default location on Windows and Mac, plus the previews and helper files beside it.
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The catalog is a single .lrcat file, usually named Lightroom Catalog.lrcat inside Pictures, then Lightroom. Previews, smart previews and helper data sit next to it under matching names.
If you cannot remember which catalog is live, open Catalog Settings in Lightroom. The General tab shows the path and has a Show button that opens it directly.
Where Lightroom Classic stores this, by platform
%USERPROFILE%\Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom Catalog.lrcat
Move the .lrcat together with its Previews.lrdata and .lrcat-data siblings. Search Explorer for lrcat if yours was created under a custom name.
~/Pictures/Lightroom/Lightroom Catalog.lrcat
Same companion files as Windows. Hold Option at launch to pick between catalogs after a move or rename.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my current catalog path from inside Lightroom?
Go to Catalog Settings (Edit menu on Windows, Lightroom menu on Mac). The General tab lists the location with a Show button.
What should I copy to move my catalog?
The .lrcat file plus the same named Previews.lrdata, Smart Previews.lrdata and .lrcat-data files. Keep them side by side, then double click the moved .lrcat.
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