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Migrating Capture one to a new pc, widows 10

Barry Lowe
Please can somebody give me a simple guide to migrate my existing catalogs, including tag words and ratings of images to a new pc. I started an email trail to capture one support but got no further response and now the email support is not contactable. I simply can not believe that it is so difficult as it must have to happen thousands of times when people's pcs die. The guides to do show a system which simply does not work and Capture one don't seem interested in helping at all.
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40 comments

Date Votes
  • SFA
    Presumably you have an active and working disk from your old PC that you can access?

    Are your images Managed within the catalogue or referenced outside the Catalogue? (Or maybe a mixture?)

    Is the old PC completely dead (i.e. offers absolutely no functions that might possibly be useful for this exercise)?

    Why does the system in the Guide you refer to not work for you? Can you provide a link to the guide and indicate at what point the process fails?

    Do you have any backups that might prove useful?


    Grant
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  • Paul Steunebrink
    The process might look like this:
      Install and activate Capture One on your new PC.
      Copy the catalog(s) over to the new PC.
      Copy your images over to the new PC or connect the external HDD if that applies.
      Copy your AppData/Capture One settings to the new PC.
      Deactivate Captue One on your old PC.

    Let us know if you need more assistence and for which step.
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  • Barry Lowe
    Paul_Steunebrink wrote:
    The process might look like this:
      Install and activate Capture One on your new PC.
      Copy the catalog(s) over to the new PC.
      Copy your images over to the new PC or connect the external HDD if that applies.
      Copy your AppData/Capture One settings to the new PC.
      Deactivate Captue One on your old PC.

    Let us know if you need more assistence and for which step.
    Hi Grant. Thanks for replying.

    Yes I still have the old pc which is working but has got slower and slower hence the purchase of a new pc.
    The catalogue is referenced through Capture one. and have both pc's linked in a home network, both with Capture one working. I have tried opening the catalogue through the network, also have tried copying the latest catalogue and raw files to the new pc. I have also got files backed up to a backup disk .

    Opening the copied catalogue on the new the images open sometimes but no tag references appear. Obviously I do not want to go through the whole process of tagging the images for several catalogues over several years.
    It probably is down to my inability with the software but have gone through the process several times over some weeks now. I got in touch with support and got some instructions but that didn't work. I replied saying that but haven't heard back to three emails which I sent.

    I have now resorted to purchasing an ssd ackup device (hasn't arrived yet) in the hope of cataloguing to that from the old pc and then opening on the new pc.
    Looking forward to any advice to resolve the issue.
    regards Barry


    Thanks Paul
    where would I find the Appdata/ Capture one settings ?

    regards Barry
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  • Barry Lowe
    Thanks Paul
    where would I find the Appdata/ Capture one settings ?

    regards Barry
    NN635310022534890600UL

    Posts: 2
    Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2014 1:37 pm
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  • SFA
    NN635310022534890600UL wrote:
    Thanks Paul
    where would I find the Appdata/ Capture one settings ?

    regards Barry
    NN635310022534890600UL

    Posts: 2
    Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2014 1:37 pm


    Should be on the old machine here

    C:\Users\[USer Name]\AppData\Local\CaptureOne

    the folder under that folder will be what you want.

    They likely mostly already exist as NEW mostly unpopulated folder on the new machine created by the installation.

    I would expect that you just need to copy the contents of old to new BUT if you have done anything with the new installation and C1 there may be some entries in the sub-folders already. If they are different to the entries you will be copying across things could require a little more care to assess what is required in terms of actions. Not a big deal but worth being cautious (take copies of the "NEW" folders for example).

    By Tags to you mean Keywords or some other part of the metadata information about the files?

    Keyword libraries will be found in a folder under the above link. However that might not be the full story for what you are or are not seeing. We will know once the Appdata (Application Data) is in place.

    That said if you are importing the copied RAW files anew they will be treated as new files.

    In copying over there is a possibility that the links in the Catalogue Database file to the location of the images on disk in the new system will be mismatched.

    You should be able to use the "Locate" functions to remake the links and so get everything back together and working correctly IF that is the case.

    Maybe we will get to that once you have the Appdata folders in place.


    Grant
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  • Barry Lowe
    Grant
    Thanks for replying with suggestions. I am still floundering.
    I have searched on old PC to the capture one directory through user directory and this gives a load of sub directories most of which are empty. Others produce computer programming stuff. The most likely one to copy sounds the userlog.db. Is this the one to copy?
    Regards Barry
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  • SFA
    Barry,

    You will want the entries in the subdirectories.

    Some of the subdirectories are created whether populated or not, others may be added as used. If you have had several version of C1 previously there may be differences between what appears on your old machine and what you might see by default as part of the setup on your new machine.

    I would ignore any subdirectories names "Batch [something]]" as they probably don't matter to you. (Basically they are Output Process histories.)

    The rest, if populated, should probably be copied over to the new syste,

    If a folder with the same name already exist in the new system just copy the contents over.

    If the folder name does NOT exist then copy the whole folder.

    I don't see the userdb.log file as being a requirement for copying.


    HTH.


    Grant
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  • Barry Lowe
    Grant
    Thanks
    On the new pc with Capture One installed, the structure is different.
    I have \users\ Administrator\appdata\local. Then \Intel\DAL\Applets\ which leads to a DALP file which is clearly a Capture One file (with logo).
    Instead of going down the Intel route I created a Capture One directory and copied the files from old pc to that directory.
    Not entirely surprised that this didn't work either.
    One thought I had was uninstalling Capture One on the new pc and reinstalling from scratch

    Still obviously floundering and don't understand what I am doing.
    I must say that all "help" issues do not help in the Capture One software and I am totally amazed that this is so difficult to grasp and sort when many many must have migrated to a new pc as I am doing.
    I had thought of upgrading to the Latest version but am now thinking of ditching Capture One and going with other software.

    regards Barry
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  • Paul Steunebrink
    Barry,

    The file structure on the new PC is not different. But is it really the account 'Administrator' you are using? Or do you use a different account? If so, look into the folder structure for that account.

    Please note that the file structure is only created after you have run Capture One at least once for that account.
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  • SFA
    Barry,

    I thin most people moving to a new PC would probably take some sort of system back up route to copying everything over or perhaps use a system migration tool or service.

    However this is really quite simple so long as you know what is the same and what is different on each machine.

    If there are differences - such as user name for the account from which you plan to run C1 - just substitute the name in the string that leads to the files you need and copy there instead.

    Using the Administrator account is unusual and generally not recommended for reasons related access security and the sort of damage one can do as an administrator level operator that would be prevented at a User level account.

    If you really are using the administrator account (and have run C1 using that account at least once as Paul pointed out) you should have a

    \users\ Administrator\appdata\local\CaptureOne

    folder with some subfolder under that already.

    That there may also be references to CaptureOne in other folders does not matter at all for your purpose.

    There is a document on the Support Site that that relates to what we are discussing here.

    https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002598997-How-do-I-back-up-my-styles-presets-in-case-I-need-to-update-my-OS-move-to-another-computer-

    Note that the first part describes what to do for Mac and the second part for Windows.

    You may also have a few customisations for Workspaces and Presets ad these are to be found at a different location in the system IF you have them

    The Recently added guidance document is here:

    https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002418657-How-to-migrate-Capture-One-from-the-existing-system-to-a-new-system-


    I thing the key to solving you problem is to make sure you are working with the correct "USer Account" and its folder in your new system and that you have a running installation of C1 running from at least one account on that system.

    If C1 is there and running all you need to do is copy as per the guidance documents (and of course the catalogues/Sessions and source photos files but I had the impression you had already done that.)


    HTH.


    Grant
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  • Barry Lowe
    Thanks Paul and Grant
    My son , who works in IT, suggested that I use %LocalAppdata% which takes me directly to the Appdata file whereas searching through the normal directories tree structure doesn't reveal the appdata file in "users/barry" directory (obviously hidden). So now know not in the Administrator user account. Unfortunately he is not local to us .
    Anyway am now trying through the documents you have mentioned.
    No doubt I will be back !!??
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  • Paul Steunebrink
    Good luck, Barry. The tip of your son is a good one.

    For others who might be interested:
    %localappdata%" stands for "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local
    You can use it for example in the command line with DIR and COPY commands or in File Explorer.
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  • Barry Lowe
    Paul

    thanks for your reply.
    Still haven't reached an adequate solution though.
    I did save all to an SSD portable disk and then got a catalogue up and running from the SSD with keywords and star ratings working. it has proved slow and has slowed down C1 substantially though.
    I have tried copying another catalogue to hard disk on the new pc with all appdata files intact etc and no joy though.
    I am certainly glad that I am not a professional photographer who relies on C1 for a living.
    I have now got a good few new C1 catalogues on the new pc

    ARE THERE OTHER USERS OUT THERE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES, OR IS IT JUST MY IGNORANCE AND INABILITY TO GRASP THE INSTRUCTIONS ? There must be thousands out there who have changed pc's like me.

    regards Barry
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  • Dave R
    SFA wrote:
    Barry,


    The Recently added guidance document is here:

    https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002418657-How-to-migrate-Capture-One-from-the-existing-system-to-a-new-system-





    HTH.


    Grant


    Grant, I may be wrong but I think the guidance document is up the creek without a paddle, it points the Windows user at c:/ProgramData/Phase One/Capture One rather than C:/Users/***/AppData/Local/CaptureOne which is less than helpful 🤭 .

    If we can’t trust that document can we trust any of them? The document on moving a set of pictures from a catalogue to a session certainly did not work as advertised.

    Dave
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  • Barry Lowe
    Thanks Dave

    there must be more out there

    regards Barry
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  • Barry Lowe
    Thanks David
    Clearly I am not the only one who has experienced problems due to far from clear C1 "helps".
    I think that predominantly C1 users use Mac machines and therefore don't experience the basic problems with PC users migrating all.
    It would be a great help if someone from C1 would actually do the migration to a brand new PC machine from an existing machine and simply provide a step by step approach, rather than state what it is supposed to happen using unclear documentation. After all mostly all of us are photographers and not software engineers

    Barry
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  • SFA
    David532 wrote:
    SFA wrote:
    Barry,


    The Recently added guidance document is here:

    https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002418657-How-to-migrate-Capture-One-from-the-existing-system-to-a-new-system-





    HTH.


    Grant


    Grant, I may be wrong but I think the guidance document is up the creek without a paddle, it points the Windows user at c:/ProgramData/Phase One/Capture One rather than C:/Users/***/AppData/Local/CaptureOne which is less than helpful 🤭 .

    If we can’t trust that document can we trust any of them? The document on moving a set of pictures from a catalogue to a session certainly did not work as advertised.

    Dave


    David,

    You're right.

    I think the article has the right idea but the wrong link published for some reason.

    There are three areas where settings are saved.

    The "fixed " settings that are defaults delivered by the installation (but that people may still overwrite without recognising that their changes will be eliminated by future release and version updates), the public "Appdata" folder by Application and, in the case of Capture One, version and release where applicable and, in the case of Capture One, a Phase One named folder that contains the current user.config settings on a per release basis.

    The user.config settings are a potential source of confusion, perhaps, if trying to use older settings from one machine on another machine so normally one would expect to start afresh. However there are some things held in the config file, iirc, that people may prefer to carry over if possible.

    As I have never undertaken such a transfer I cannot offer any practical advice, only flag up potential concerns that may prove to be not valid.

    I would be surprised if this has never previously been addressed by someone via a blog post or a video. I'll look into searching for something later.


    Grant
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  • Barry Lowe
    Grant
    Yes I agree that we would all be totally surprised if this hadn't been an issue reported before, although David has mentioned his problems , presumably doing the same. I don't think that I am a complete idiot but nothing has been sorted yet despite all the supposedly "helpful" documents
    Yes it would be good if you could do a migration , as I suggested, to a new PC from old .If you are successful, using the documentation only, which I doubt, then a simple step by step list would be invaluable to post for future documentation.

    Extremely frustrated
    Barry
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  • Barry Lowe
    So no-one can help from capture one .
    What chance have we got !!
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  • SFA
    NN635310022534890600UL wrote:
    So no-one can help from capture one .
    What chance have we got !!


    Barry,

    Create a Support Case to get official help from the Capture One Support team.

    The forum is intended to be be, primarily, User to User in nature and it is rare that Capture One team members are allowed to offer direct support here - other than to suggest opening a Support Case or referring to existing documentation.

    You report the erroneous documentation and ask for guidance at the same time. That SHOULD short-circuit any possibility of getting a standard mail pointing to the documentation ...


    Grant
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  • Barry Lowe
    Grant

    I assume that you are employed by Capture one. We have been at this subject for weeks now. How do I open a support case ?and why now not weeks ago ?

    Thanks Barry
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  • Paul Steunebrink
    NN635310022534890600UL wrote:
    ...
    I assume that you are employed by Capture one.

    😂 😂 😂 😂
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  • SFA
    NN635310022534890600UL wrote:
    Grant

    I assume that you are employed by Capture one. We have been at this subject for weeks now. How do I open a support case ?and why now not weeks ago ?

    Thanks Barry


    Nope. Not Staff just a fellow user. Staff are clearly identified along with their name.

    To open a Support Case go to one of the Support Pages on the web site (assuming you may not be able to run enough of Capture One to use the link from the Help menu) and somewhere at the top right or maybe in the centre at the bottom of a page (it depends on what you looking at) you should see a "Submit Request" text that will take you to this link.

    https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

    You can also simply cut and paste the link above into your Browser.

    It's a email based system.

    Why now?

    Well for a couple of reasons, one being that the Support Team, recently reorganised as an operation and possibly struggling with all sort of challenges after the release of C1 V20, a new Apple OS and, probably, Microsoft pushing out some slightly questionable updates, seemed to be inundated and responding slowly at the time.

    Would you than anyone for sending you off into a possible black hole when you came to a public forum for peer to peer help? I wouldn't.

    I'm not sure why you are having the problems you are having but with apparently zero progress after several weeks (as you point out) and the reasonable possibility that, with 2 early patch releases issued, the support situation may be improving AND in this case the information on the web site seems to be in need of review, it seemed like a good opportunity for you to point out the problem AND get direct support. Support that one would expect to have access to all of the technical information that might be required in your case since the normal process that people would use seems to be failing totally.

    Speaking personally I'm not in a position to be able to attempt to replicate the process you might need to undertake so I think my ability to help you further in a way that may be of use is extremely limited. Very frustrating for you. Equally so for me and with no upside for either of us.

    Bestyou work with the C1 team so that they can identify what works, what doesn't (in your case) and maybe work out how to re-vamp the documentation OR, perhaps, create a transfer process that can ship as a Utility.

    All the best,

    Grant
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  • Barry Lowe
    Grant

    Thanks again. I had assumed that Paul and you were both associated with Capture One directly as you both appeared with your knowledgeable responses, generally in support of Capture one.
    I am obviously very grateful to you both for your attempts to my problem, unfortunately neither of you have been able to solve the problem but thanks for trying.
    As we have said it is amazing that this problem has not surfaced regularly and that Capture One have failed to document an adequate documentation to resolve the issue.
    Thanks again

    Regards Barry
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  • SFA
    NN635310022534890600UL wrote:

    As we have said it is amazing that this problem has not surfaced regularly and that Capture One have failed to document an adequate documentation to resolve the issue.


    The first observation in that sentence may throw some light on the second - although I suspect that in this case the second more by a poor link than a case of guidance to bad advice. But we will have to see if anything changes before coming to a conclusion.


    Grant
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  • Barry Lowe
    David532 wrote:
    SFA wrote:
    Barry,


    The Recently added guidance document is here:

    https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002418657-How-to-migrate-Capture-One-from-the-existing-system-to-a-new-system-





    HTH.


    Grant


    Grant, I may be wrong but I think the guidance document is up the creek without a paddle, it points the Windows user at c:/ProgramData/Phase One/Capture One rather than C:/Users/***/AppData/Local/CaptureOne which is less than helpful 🤭 .

    If we can’t trust that document can we trust any of them? The document on moving a set of pictures from a catalogue to a session certainly did not work as advertised.

    Dave



    Dave

    I assume that you have also had a similar problem and have since resolved the issue. If so please could you advise how you have done so. Had absolutely no help from Capture One at all and am still stuck.
    regards Barry
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  • Dave R
    NN635310022534890600UL wrote:
    David532 wrote:
    SFA wrote:
    Barry,


    The Recently added guidance document is here:

    https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002418657-How-to-migrate-Capture-One-from-the-existing-system-to-a-new-system-





    HTH.


    Grant


    Grant, I may be wrong but I think the guidance document is up the creek without a paddle, it points the Windows user at c:/ProgramData/Phase One/Capture One rather than C:/Users/***/AppData/Local/CaptureOne which is less than helpful 🤭 .

    If we can’t trust that document can we trust any of them? The document on moving a set of pictures from a catalogue to a session certainly did not work as advertised.

    Dave



    Dave

    I assume that you have also had a similar problem and have since resolved the issue. If so please could you advise how you have done so. Had absolutely no help from Capture One at all and am still stuck.
    regards Barry


    Ah. I did a year and a half ago, I moved from a desktop to laptop (the desktop was then donated to a charity) but I am having great difficulty remembering how I did it. I have a feeling that the bulk of my Capture One work then was in sessions which are much easier to move from machine to machine than catalogs. In fact at the time my catalog was in Lightroom. (I have now imported that Catalog into Capture One 😄 )

    Sorry can't be more help.

    Dave
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  • Barry Lowe
    Thanks Dave anyway.
    It really makes me feel I want to pack Capture one in. Not impressed with them at all, after using the software for several years now.
    Regards Barry
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  • Paul Steunebrink
    Barry,
    I just went over this entire thread and I must admit that I am not sure which part of your migration is not yet successful.

    Checklist
    1 program
    2 activation
    3 program settings by the user, typically in the AppData subfolder
    4 preferences, typically in the user.config file, perhaps easier to set necessary preferences manually in the new setup
    5 catalogs, being able to open them in Capture One
    6 images, potentially relocate in your catalogs
    7 catalog backups, by default part of the AppData subfolder structure

    Anything forgotten, guys? 😉
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  • Barry Lowe
    Paul

    Thanks again Will try copying config.sys file from old to new and see if that works then

    Regards Barry
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