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bscott · 04-03-2021, 02:05 PM

How do I copy photos to an external hard drive in lightroom? I can move them but I am not sure how to copy them so that the photos would be both on the drive and in lightroom. Thanks

**mattt** · 04-03-2021, 02:18 PM

You can set up an export to the drive as full size dng.

If you need them mapped back to the catalogue be sure to tick the “add to catalogue “ box in the export dialogue.

**jatrax** · 04-03-2021, 03:33 PM

What is the purpose of the copy? And do you want them to be part of the catalog after the move?

If you are just trying to make a backup of the images to an external drive then just copying them through the operating system is fine. Or better yet use a sync program like GoodSync to do it and then you can keep the external drive synced up to your main drive.

If you are just making a one time copy of a subset of images then exporting them as full size jpeg or as DNG will work.

**Michaelina2** · 04-04-2021, 02:14 AM

Originally posted by bscott

How do I copy photos to an external hard drive in lightroom? I can move them but I am not sure how to copy them so that the photos would be both on the drive and in lightroom. Thanks

A good source of LR info can be found here: Lightroom Killer Tips - Lightroom Presets, Videos, Tips and News
Another source is YouTube. Just ask your ‘How to...?’ In the search bar and pick your answer.

Cheers... M

pschlute · 04-04-2021, 12:02 PM - **1 Like**

The thing to understand is that the physical location of files on your computer and whether they are or are not imported into the LR library are completely separate things.

There is no such thing as a file "stored in LR". There is only a "file on the computer that has been added to the LR library"

bscott · 04-05-2021, 06:35 AM

Thanks everyone for your helpful and quick replies. The Pentax Forum is the best.

04-03-2021, 02:05 PM	#1
bscott Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 483	Copy Not Move in Lightroom How do I copy photos to an external hard drive in lightroom? I can move them but I am not sure how to copy them so that the photos would be both on the drive and in lightroom. Thanks

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04-03-2021, 02:18 PM	#2
mattt Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,907	You can set up an export to the drive as full size dng. If you need them mapped back to the catalogue be sure to tick the “add to catalogue “ box in the export dialogue.

04-03-2021, 03:33 PM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	What is the purpose of the copy? And do you want them to be part of the catalog after the move? If you are just trying to make a backup of the images to an external drive then just copying them through the operating system is fine. Or better yet use a sync program like GoodSync to do it and then you can keep the external drive synced up to your main drive. If you are just making a one time copy of a subset of images then exporting them as full size jpeg or as DNG will work.

04-04-2021, 02:14 AM	#4
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,302	Originally posted by bscott How do I copy photos to an external hard drive in lightroom? I can move them but I am not sure how to copy them so that the photos would be both on the drive and in lightroom. Thanks A good source of LR info can be found here: Lightroom Killer Tips - Lightroom Presets, Videos, Tips and News Another source is YouTube. Just ask your ‘How to...?’ In the search bar and pick your answer. Cheers... M

04-04-2021, 12:02 PM - 1 Like	#5
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,219	The thing to understand is that the physical location of files on your computer and whether they are or are not imported into the LR library are completely separate things. There is no such thing as a file "stored in LR". There is only a "file on the computer that has been added to the LR library"

04-05-2021, 06:35 AM	#6
bscott Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 483 Original Poster	Thanks everyone for your helpful and quick replies. The Pentax Forum is the best.

Copy Not Move in Lightroom

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