Set a Default Catalog in Lightroom Classic CC- Instructions

Set a Default Catalog in Lightroom Classic CC: Video

            This video, titled “Setting a Default Catalog,” shows you how to set a default catalog in Lightroom Classic CC. This video lesson on how to set a default catalog in Lightroom Classic CC is from our complete Lightroom Classic CC tutorial, titled “Mastering Lightroom Classic Made Easy v.CC.”

Set a Default Catalog in Lightroom Classic CC: Overview

            You can easily set a default catalog in Lightroom Classic CC. When you launch Lightroom Classic CC, the most current catalog opens by default. However, you can also make it open a different catalog you select. You can also make Lightroom Classic CC prompt you to choose a catalog each time you launch the application.

            To set a default catalog in Lightroom Classic CC, select “Edit| Preferences…” from the Menu Bar. Then click the “General” tab in the “Preferences” dialog box that opens. In the “Default Catalog” section, click the “When starting up use this catalog” drop-down. Doing this then shows you the startup options for opening catalogs.

Set a Default Catalog in Lightroom Classic CC- Instructions: A picture of a user setting a new default catalog in Lightroom Classic CC.

            By default, Lightroom Classic CC uses the “Load most recent catalog” option. If you choose this setting, the software always opens the most recent catalog on startup. Alternatively, choosing the “Prompt me when starting Lightroom” option makes the program launch the “Select Catalog” dialog box at startup. This dialog box lets you choose which catalog to open each time you launch the program.

            The drop-down also gives you the option of opening an existing catalog, instead. Lightroom Classic CC lists every catalog in the drop-down menu, from which you can then choose. If you choose the “Other” option from the drop-down, the “Choose a Catalog” dialog box appears. You can then use the dialog box to navigate to and select a specific catalog file to set as Lightroom Classic CC’s default catalog. After selecting a catalog, click the “Choose” button to apply your choice and close the “Choose a Catalog” dialog box.

            After you set a default catalog in Lightroom Classic CC, click the “OK” button at the bottom of the “Preferences” dialog box to save your selection.

Set a Default Catalog in Lightroom Classic CC: Instructions

1. To set a default catalog in Lightroom Classic CC, select “Edit| Preferences…” from the Menu Bar.
2. Then click the “General” tab in the “Preferences” dialog box that opens.
3. In the “Default Catalog” section, click the “When starting up use this catalog” drop-down.
4. To open the most recent catalog on startup, select the “Load most recent catalog” option from the drop-down menu.
5. Alternatively, to launch the “Select Catalog” dialog box at startup, select the “Prompt me when starting Lightroom” option from the drop-down menu.
6. Alternatively, to open an existing catalog, select one from list within the drop-down menu.
7. If you want to open a specific catalog at startup, instead, select the “Other” option from the drop-down menu to open the “Choose a Catalog” dialog box.
8. Use the dialog box to navigate to and then select a catalog file to set as the default catalog.
9. Then click the “Choose” button to apply your choice and close the “Choose a Catalog” dialog box.
10. To save your default catalog setting, when finished, click the “OK” button at the bottom of the “Preferences” dialog box.