AOMEI FastRecovery
LRCAT File Recovery: How to Recover Deleted Lightroom Catalog
In this post, you’ll see how to recover deleted Lightroom catalog via professional data recovery tool for Windows OS.
By Lucas / Updated on August 20, 2024
Scenario: Accidentally deleted Lightroom catalog, is there a way to restore it? - help
“I was under the impression that I had only removed the photos that had already been synced to the cloud. However, it has since been discovered that I deleted all of them. I also believed that you had a 30-day window to restore it; however, this was not the case. Is there any method by which I can achieve its restoration?”
--User from Reddit
Adobe Lightroom is a widely used software for photo enhancement among professionals and hobbyists. However, losing your catalog in the middle of a project can turn the experience into a nightmare.
If you've faced the frustration of data loss and urgently need to know if you can recover your files, we're here to assure you that it's possible to recover a deleted Lightroom catalog independently.
What are Lightroom LRCAT files?
Adobe Lightroom Classic utilizes a digital catalog to organize your photographs, allowing you to determine which ones to modify. This catalog is stored in a.LRCAT file extension that can only be accessed by installing Adobe Lightroom Classic.
The LRCAT files contain all the information regarding the photographs that you import into your Lightroom catalog, such as the file locations and edit history for each photo.
LRCAT files enable you to modify your photographs without affecting the original files in your storage. Rather, the catalog file and its LRCAT-DATA file will be the repository for all modifications. Non-destructive image editing is the term used to describe this procedure.
Where are LRCAT files and Lightroom data store?
On Windows, the default location for Lightroom catalogs is C:\Users\. Nevertheless, you have the option to store Lightroom catalogs in any location on your computer, including external storage devices. If you maintain your Lightroom catalog on an external storage device, you will be required to connect it to your PC each time you utilize Adobe Lightroom.
Opening Lightroom, users may verify their default catalog by selecting Edit > Preferences > General > Default Catalogue.
It is important to note that the Lightroom catalog does not contain your photographs. They will continue to be situated in their original positions. The metadata, revisions, and the original location of the images are all stored in the Lightroom catalog.
Can you recover deleted Lightroom catalog?
It is feasible to retrieve deleted Lightroom catalog files. Nevertheless, the likelihood of effectively recovering the file is contingent upon how it was lost and the existence of a backup of your data.
Accidental deletion, accidental formatting, malware and viruses, and program or PC failures are among the most prevalent causes of catalog file loss in Lightroom. The good news is that there is still a high probability of successfully recovering your file in all these scenarios.
1. Refrain from utilizing the partition on which your files were lost. This may result in the data you wish to recover being overwritten by new files or metadata.
2. Conduct a scan of your device at your earliest convenience.
3. If you intend to obtain a third-party data recovery application, ensure that it is not installed on the same partition as your lost files.
How to recover deleted Lightroom catalog files in Windows
Step-by-step, we will now investigate the process of recovering a deleted Lightroom catalog.
Method 1. Recover deleted LRCAT files after permanent deletion
Many users struggle to restore deleted or lost files from backups because data loss often happens suddenly and without warning. However, there's no need to worry. Even without a backup, you can still recover a deleted Lightroom catalog using file recovery software.
The most effective way for most users to retrieve lost data is by using third-party data recovery tools. These tools scan your storage device for deleted files and offer recovery options. It's crucial to act quickly and avoid using the affected device to prevent overwriting the deleted data.
AOMEI FastRecovery is an advanced data recovery software that allows you to easily retrieve your valuable files with just a few keystrokes.
2. Recovery support for frequently encountered image formats, such as png, jpeg, tif, and psd.
3. In addition, it is possible to retrieve audio files, documents, spreadsheets, transparencies, and emails.
4. The data that has been recovered maintains its original quality, filename, path, and format.
5. Data recovery processes that are efficient and save time during scanning.
6. The software is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7, and it can recover deleted files from Windows Server 2025/2022/2019/2016/2012.
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data lost and click Scan.
Step 2. Then, the recovery tool start to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first for finding your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.
Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".
Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.
Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovering ends.
Method 2. Recover deleted LRCAT files via File History
Windows has backup tools built in. They are called Windows File History and Windows Backup and Restore. These automatic backup programs make copies of your files regularly, keeping older versions of your data.
But these tools aren't turned on by default. You can count on them to get you a copy of your lost data if they were turned on at the time of the loss and the files in question were in a folder that had backups turned on.
Step 1. Start Control Panel > System and Security > File History.
Step 2. Click Restore personal files.
Step 3. Go to the path where the LRCAT files were stored > select and click the Recover button to get them back.
Bonus tips: How to avoid Lightroom data loss
You won't lose any of your changes if you back up your Lightroom album often. It also gets rid of the need to download extra software to get back a catalog that was lost or removed.
You can set Adobe Lightroom to back up your catalog automatically at regular times, or you can do it yourself whenever you want. It is crucial to have a solid backup plan. Here are some things to think about:
1. Back up your data in more than one place. At least two hard drives and one in the cloud are good options.
2. Making backups often will make sure that you always have the most up-to-date version of your collection.
3. Lightroom catalogs don't hold your source photos, so make sure you back them up somewhere else.
Conclusion
The loss of a Lightroom catalog can be a distressing experience for any photographer. The procedures outlined in this guide can be easily followed to recover a deleted Lightroom catalog.
It is important to act promptly, utilize backups whenever feasible, and seek the assistance of professional data recovery software if necessary. Your Lightroom catalog and all of your cherished photographs can be restored with the appropriate methodology.
FAQs about Lightroom LRCAT files
1. How to find old Lightroom catalogs?
To view your previous Lightroom catalogs, navigate to the Edit menu and select Catalog Settings. Then, to open the catalog folder that you are now working in, click the Show option. There, you will be able to locate additional Lightroom catalogs that you have worked on in the past.
2. How do I fix the “Local catalog damaged” error in Lightroom?
Before trying to fix the error, verify your sync status by clicking the Sync Icon.
If all images are synced and backed up:
Close Lightroom. For Windows users, go to Users > [username] > AppData > Local > Adobe > Lightroom CC > Data > [Catalog ID string] and locate and rename the MCAT file to Managed Catalog.old.
If some images are not synced:
For Windows users, go to Users > [username] > AppData > Local > Adobe > Lightroom CC > Data > [Catalog ID string] > originals.
3. If my Lightroom catalog is not recognized as a genuine catalog, what should I do?
If your catalog is abruptly unable to open due to an error message indicating that it is not recognized as a valid catalog, you may import a recent backup instead. If the error continues, verify that you are operating in the most recent version of Lightroom and download the most recent version if you are not.
