Where presets go and how Lightroom finds them

Lightroom stores presets in a specific folder on your computer, and the process differs slightly depending on whether you use Lightroom Classic or the newer cloud-based Lightroom (sometimes called Lightroom CC). The simplest method is to drag and drop preset files directly into Lightroom, but understanding where they actually land helps you troubleshoot if something goes wrong.

Presets are small files with extensions like .xmp (for Lightroom Classic) or .lrtemplate (for older versions). When you install them correctly, they appear in the Develop module's Presets panel on the left side of your screen, organized into folders you can create and name yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Drag preset files directly into Lightroom's Develop module to install them instantly without navigating folders.
  • Lightroom Classic stores presets in a Presets folder inside your user library; the exact path depends on whether you use Mac or Windows.
  • Preset files must have the correct extension (.xmp for Lightroom Classic, .lrtemplate for older versions) or Lightroom will not recognize them.
  • After adding presets manually to the folder, restart Lightroom or use the Develop menu to refresh and see them appear in the Presets panel.
  • Downloaded presets sometimes arrive in compressed .zip files that you must extract before Lightroom can read them.

The drag-and-drop method (fastest for most people)

Open Lightroom and navigate to the Develop module by clicking the Develop tab at the top right. On the left panel, you will see a Presets section with a list of folders. Locate your preset file on your computer (usually in your Downloads folder) and drag it directly into the Presets panel in Lightroom. The preset will install immediately and appear in the list.

This method works for both Lightroom Classic and the newer Lightroom, and it bypasses the need to find hidden system folders. If you have multiple presets in a folder on your computer, you can select them all, then drag the entire group into Lightroom at once. Lightroom will sort them into a new folder automatically.

Installing presets by moving files to the Presets folder

If drag-and-drop does not work or you prefer to organize presets before importing them, you can place them directly in Lightroom's Presets folder. The location varies by operating system and Lightroom version.

On Mac with Lightroom Classic: Open Finder, press Command+Shift+G to open "Go to Folder", then paste this path: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom/Presets. Paste your preset files here, then restart Lightroom.

On Windows with Lightroom Classic: Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Presets. Paste your preset files into this folder, then restart Lightroom.

For the newer cloud-based Lightroom: The process is different. Go to File menu, then Preferences (Windows) or Settings (Mac), click Presets, and you will see a button to show the Presets folder. Click it to open the folder where you can paste files directly.

What to do if your preset files are compressed

Presets downloaded from the internet often arrive as .zip files. Your computer cannot read them until you extract them. On Mac, double-click the .zip file and it will automatically extract. On Windows, right-click the .zip file, select "Extract All", and choose where to save the extracted files.

After extraction, you will see the actual preset files (usually with .xmp or .lrtemplate extensions). These are the files you drag into Lightroom or move to the Presets folder. Do not try to drag the .zip file itself into Lightroom — it will not work.

Organizing presets into custom folders

Once presets are installed, you can organize them into folders to keep your Presets panel tidy. In Lightroom's Develop module, right-click in the Presets panel and select "Create Folder". Name it something like "Portraits" or "Black and White", then drag individual presets into that folder.

If you installed presets by moving files to the system Presets folder, you can create subfolders there as well. Lightroom will recognize any folder structure you create and display it in the Presets panel. This is especially useful if you have downloaded presets from multiple sources and want to keep them separate.

Troubleshooting when presets do not appear

If you installed presets but they do not show up in Lightroom, first check that the file extension is correct. Lightroom Classic reads .xmp files; older versions read .lrtemplate files. If the extension is wrong, the files will sit in the folder but Lightroom will ignore them.

Second, make sure Lightroom is fully closed before you move files to the system Presets folder. Lightroom reads the folder when it starts up, so if the program is running, it may not see newly added files. Close Lightroom completely, add your presets, then reopen the program.

Third, try refreshing the Presets panel. In Lightroom Classic, go to the Develop menu at the top and look for an option to reload presets or refresh the panel. In the newer Lightroom, go to File > Preferences (or Settings on Mac) and check the Presets section for a refresh button.

Presets from Adobe and third-party creators

Adobe sells presets through the Creative Cloud app, and these install automatically when you purchase them — no manual steps needed. Third-party creators sell presets through their own websites or through marketplaces like Creative Market or FilterGrade. These almost always arrive as .zip files that you extract before installing.

Some creators provide installation instructions specific to their presets. Read these carefully, as a few preset packs include extra files or require you to place them in a particular folder structure. Most, however, follow the standard process: extract the .zip, then drag the preset files into Lightroom or move them to the system Presets folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use presets from Lightroom Classic in the newer Lightroom?

Not directly. Lightroom Classic uses .xmp presets, while the newer cloud-based Lightroom uses a different format. Some creators offer presets in both formats, so check before you buy. You can also convert some presets manually, but this requires opening them in a text editor and reformatting the code.

What if I accidentally delete a preset I installed?

If you deleted it from the Presets panel in Lightroom, it is gone from that installation. If you still have the original preset file on your computer, you can drag it back in. If you downloaded it from a creator's website, you can download it again and reinstall it.

Do presets I install on one computer show up on another?

Not automatically. Presets are stored locally on each computer. If you use Lightroom Classic on multiple machines, you can copy the Presets folder from one computer to another using a USB drive or cloud storage. With the newer cloud-based Lightroom, presets sync across devices if you sign in with the same Adobe account.

Can I share presets I created with someone else?

Yes. Find the preset file in your system Presets folder, send it to them via email or file transfer, and they can drag it into their Lightroom. Make sure you send the actual preset file (.xmp or .lrtemplate), not a screenshot or description of the settings.