3 Steps to Transfer Your Lightroom Presets to a New Computer

How to Transfer Your Presets to a New Computer

Say!  You’ve got some exciting news.  A new computer always feels like a fresh Spring morning - so clean with nothing to clutter it up! 

But then comes the dilemma, “How do I get all that STUFF I had on my old computer over to my new one?”

I can’t answer for ALL the files on your computer, but I can show you the best way to transfer your Lightroom Presets to your new computer.  

NOTE: You should be backing up all the presets (frankly, ALL DIGITAL CONTENT you own) to a location on your hard drive AND your favorite cloud storage option.  This is just a way to move them over quickly and is not intended to be a backup method.

What You Will Need:

• Lightroom
• Your old and new computers
• A USB drive  - or -
• An account with any online cloud storage service like: Dropbox.com, Box.com, or Google Drive

Step 1: Find Out Where Presets are Stored

The first thing to do is find where your presets are stored on your computer.  You can do this by right-clicking on one of your presets in the Develop Module and choosing “Show in Explorer” (if you are on a PC) or “Show in Finder” (if you are on a MAC) from the options menu that appears.

Step 2: Copy and Save Presets to External Source

This will open up a new window where all the presets you have in Lightroom are stored. Select and copy all the files inside the "Settings" folder that opens.  Then paste these files onto your USB drive or to a folder inside your favorite cloud service. These files will be XMP files, the most current preset file type.

OPTIONAL: Copy and Save Brush Presets

If you also have brush presets installed, you will want to copy and paste those files to a separate folder on a USB drive or in your favorite cloud service.  To find those files, open your Preferences window (Lightroom>Preferences on a MAC or Edit>Preferences on Windows). Highlight the "Presets" tab and then find and click the "Show All Other Lightroom Presets" button.

This will open a Finder or Explorer window with a folder called "Lightroom" highlighted.  Double-click to open this folder.  Next, find the "Local Adjustment Presets" folder and double-click to open it.  Select and copy all the files in this folder. Then paste these files onto your USB drive or to a folder inside your favorite cloud service.

Step 3: Install Presets on the New Computer

Installing your Develop presets on a new computer is super easy: 

• Just open your new version of Lightroom and open your Preferences folder (Mac: Lightroom> Preferences  PC: Edit>Preferences).  
• Choose the Presets Tab from the new window that opens up.  
• Halfway down, click on the "Show Lightroom Develop Presets" button.  It will open a Finder or Explorer window and highlight a folder called "Settings."  Double-click on that folder. 
• Copy the preset files you saved (XMP files) and paste them into this folder.

Installing Brush Presets on your computer is also super easy:

• Just open your new version of Lightroom and open your Preferences options (Mac: Lightroom>Preferences  PC: Edit>Preferences).
• Click on the Presets tab in the Preferences window that opens.
• Halfway down, click on the "Show All Other Lightroom Presets" button. This will open a Finder or Explorer window and highlight a folder called "Lightroom." Double-click to open it.
• Locate the Local Adjustment Presets folder.  Double-click to open it.
• Copy the Brush Preset files you saved (.lrtemplate files) and paste them into this folder.
• Restart Lightroom to complete the installation.

Bonus Tip: Getting a new computer gives you the perfect opportunity to organize your Lightroom presets just how you’d like - so take advantage of it. 

Do you have any questions or comments about How to Transfer & Lightroom Presets to a New Computer?   Leave us a comment below - we would love to hear from you! And PLEASE SHARE our tutorial using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!