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davepinminn
davepinminn
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Removing a catalog from LR WITHOUT deleting it

Jul 23, 2012 2:15 PM

I suspect I"m missing a button somewhere that does this, but...

 

I want to remove a catalog from the list of catalogs that shows up when starting Lightroom.  I don't want to delete it or mess with it in any way 'cause it's a backup.  SOMEHOW (just let it lay there - you can chuckle internally) I managed to grab the backup catalog one time and now its in the list, and every so often if I'm not paying attention I open the wrong one...

 

So, how do I make that entry in my catalog list go away without actually deleting anything or doing anything to the catalog?

744 Views   7 Replies   Latest reply: davepinminn, Jul 23, 2012 6:44 PM
 
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  • ssprengel
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    1. ssprengel,
    Jul 23, 2012 2:25 PM   in reply to davepinminn
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    The LR internal catalog-recency list is stored in the LR preferences file.  On my 64-bit Windows 7 computer the LR preferences file is here:

     

    C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Preferences\ Lightroom 4 Preferences.agprefs

     

    where AppData is a hidden folder so you may have to type it into the Explorer address bar if you don’t have Show Hidden and System Files and Folders enabled in Folder Options in Windows Explorer.

     

    The library names can be more than once so I’d suggest searching for a unique part of the path and making sure you delete all instances of it.  Make a backup of your preferences file before hacking away.

     
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  • johnbeardy
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    2. johnbeardy,
    Jul 23, 2012 2:49 PM   in reply to ssprengel
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    I don't think there's any need to hack the preferences file. Instead, in Explorer move the catalogue somewhere else. Next time LR starts, it won't find that catalogue and will remove it from the list.

     
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  • davepinminn
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    3. davepinminn,
    Jul 23, 2012 3:05 PM   in reply to johnbeardy
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    Thanks guys, at least I'm not going crazy thinking I"m missing some normal procedure for doing this... 

     

    I'll take a look at the prefs file, and if it's simple do it that way.  Otherwise, I'll go through the moving and all...

     
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  • johnbeardy
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    4. johnbeardy,
    Jul 23, 2012 3:12 PM   in reply to davepinminn
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    I would not recommend messing with your preferences file.

     
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  • Hal P Anderson
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    5. Hal P Anderson,
    Jul 23, 2012 3:29 PM   in reply to davepinminn
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    It's got to be way easier to just move the catalogue file. Or rename it in place.

     

    Hal

     
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  • ssprengel
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    6. ssprengel,
    Jul 23, 2012 3:30 PM   in reply to johnbeardy
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    Renaming the catalog slightly is probably enough to get LR to balk and let you remove it; however, I think the name may go into the Missing list, instead.

     

    You could also just delete (or rename with a different extension) the preferences file and let LR rebuild it, after clicking around to take an inventory of what your current settings are.

     
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  • davepinminn
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    7. davepinminn,
    Jul 23, 2012 6:44 PM   in reply to ssprengel
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    Fixed...  Deleted a couple lines from the prefs file and all's well... 

     
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