Backing up the database (not media) in Elements Organizer

[dlgilbert]

I'm about to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 and I'm doing a completely clean reinstall (ie...format the hard drive). I spent a lot of time cataloging and key-wording my photos in Elements Organizer and I don't want to lose all that effort. All my media is on network drives or external hard drives, so the locations won't change at all. I don't want to back up all the media (which, it seems, is what the "Backup Catalog" function does). I just want to save all the keyword and organizational information that I've entered.

I found what looks to be catalog information at:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Elements Organizer\Catalogs\My Catalog

If I just backup (and then restore) all that information, will that retain all my entered data?

[Gerlinde]

Hi Dan,

yes you are correct, make sure you retain the >My Catalog< and the data base file:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\7.0\ ThumbDatabase.db3.
Also, to be on the safe site, go under file>Write Keyword tag and Property info to Photo. This should make sure your tags are ok after you re-install.

[dlgilbert]

Awesome! Thanks for the detailed info! I feel much better that I won't lose everything now.

[Gerlinde]

Dan, I would still do a complete backup of your organizer from the file menu to an external drive. You can delete it after you know everything works. And it is always a good idea to go to >file> reconnect...all missing files. Sometimes things get screwed up in the organizer and you don't find out until it is to late.

I also suggest to read johnrellis post here and here is a link to his website with faqs about the Organizer.

[dlgilbert]

Thanks a million! It worked like a charm!

[Ron]

Great job, Gerlinde!

[Gerlinde]

Great! I'm glad everything worked. You will love Windows 7.