Where presets live and how Lightroom finds them

Presets in Lightroom are saved editing settings that explore a look to your photo in one click. To load them, you first need to put them in a folder where Lightroom actually looks for them. Lightroom has a default presets folder on your computer — the location depends on whether you use Lightroom Classic (the desktop version you buy once) or Lightroom (the cloud-based subscription version). If you read presets from someone else or create your own, they won't show up in Lightroom until you move them to the right place.

The difference between the two versions matters here because they store presets in completely different locations. Lightroom Classic stores presets in a folder buried in your user library. Lightroom (the newer cloud version) syncs presets through Adobe's servers, so the process is simpler but works only if you're signed into your Adobe account. Most photographers who shoot seriously use Lightroom Classic, but if you're not sure which one you have, look at your process name — it will say "Lightroom Classic" or just "Lightroom".

Key Takeaways

  • Lightroom Classic presets go in a specific folder on your hard drive (the Develop Presets folder inside your Lightroom settings), while Lightroom cloud presets sync through Adobe's servers once you import them.
  • Downloaded presets usually come as .xmp or .lrtemplate files, and you move them into the presets folder or use Lightroom's import function to add them.
  • After you move or import presets, you may need to restart Lightroom or refresh the presets panel before they appear in the Develop module.
  • Creating a folder inside your presets folder helps you organize presets by type — for example, "Portrait" or "Black and White" — so you can find them faster when editing.

Loading presets in Lightroom Classic

Open Lightroom Classic and go to the Develop module (the right side of the screen where you see sliders for exposure, contrast, and other settings). On the left panel, you'll see a section called "Presets" with a list of folders. Right-click on any folder name and select "Show in Finder" (on Mac) or "Show in Explorer" (on Windows). This opens the actual folder on your computer where Lightroom stores presets.

If you've downloaded presets as .xmp files or .lrtemplate files, drag them directly into this folder. You can create a new folder inside the presets folder first — for example, a folder called "Downloaded Presets" — and put them there to keep them organized. After you move the files, close and reopen Lightroom, or right-click the Presets panel and select "Refresh" to make the new presets appear when ready.

Alternatively, you can use Lightroom's built-in import function. Go to File menu, then select "Import Profiles and Presets" (or "Import Presets" depending on your Lightroom version). Navigate to the preset files on your computer and select them. Lightroom will move them to the correct folder automatically and they'll appear in your Presets panel right away.

Loading presets in Lightroom (cloud version)

The cloud version of Lightroom handles presets differently because it syncs everything through Adobe's servers. Make sure you're signed into your Adobe account — you'll see your name in the top right corner of the screen. Go to the Develop module and look for the Presets panel on the left.

To add presets you've downloaded, click the plus icon (+) at the top of the Presets panel and select "Import Presets". Navigate to the .xmp or .lrtemplate files on your computer and select them. Lightroom will upload them to your Adobe account, and they'll sync across all your devices — your phone, tablet, and any other computer where you're signed in with the same Adobe account.

If you're using Lightroom on your phone or tablet, you can also create and save presets directly in the app. Any presets you create or import on one device will show up on all your other devices automatically, as long as you're using the same Adobe account.

Finding and organizing preset files before you load them

Presets come from many places — preset packs you buy online, free presets from photographers' websites, or presets shared by friends. They usually arrive as a .zip file, which you need to unzip first. On Mac, double-click the .zip file and it automatically extracts. On Windows, right-click the .zip file, select "Extract All", and choose where to put the extracted files.

After you unzip, look inside the folder for files with names ending in .xmp or .lrtemplate. These are the actual preset files. Some preset packs include instructions or a readme file that tells you which version of Lightroom they're made for — this matters because presets made for Lightroom Classic won't work in the cloud version Lightroom, and vice versa. Check the instructions before you try to load them.

If you have a lot of presets, create a folder on your desktop or in your Documents folder to keep them organized before you move them into Lightroom. For example, you might have folders for "Portrait Presets", "Landscape Presets", and "Black and White Presets". This makes it easier to find what you need when you're loading them into Lightroom.

What to do if presets don't appear after you load them

The most common reason presets don't show up is that Lightroom hasn't refreshed yet. Close Lightroom completely and open it again. If you're using Lightroom Classic, you can also right-click in the Presets panel and select "Refresh" without closing the whole process.

Another reason is that the preset files are in the wrong format for your version of Lightroom. Presets made for Lightroom Classic (which use .xmp format) won't work in the cloud version Lightroom. If you downloaded presets and they're not appearing, check the read page or the readme file to confirm they're made for the version you're using.

If you moved preset files manually into the Develop Presets folder but they still don't appear, make sure the files actually have the .xmp or .lrtemplate extension. Sometimes files lose their extension when you move them between computers or read them from certain websites. On Windows, you can see file extensions by opening File Explorer, going to View, and checking the box for "File name extensions". On Mac, select the file, press Command+I to open Get Info, and look at the full filename.

Creating your own presets to save and reuse

Once you've loaded presets and used them, you might want to create your own. Edit a photo the way you like it — adjust exposure, contrast, shadows, highlights, color, and anything else. When the photo looks right, go to the Presets panel on the left, click the plus icon, and select "Create New Preset" (in Lightroom Classic) or "Create Preset" (in cloud Lightroom).

Give your preset a name that describes what it does — "Warm Portrait" or "Faded Film" is more useful than "Preset 1". You can also choose which settings to include in the preset. For example, if you only want to save the color and tone settings but not the crop, uncheck the settings you don't want. Click Create, and Lightroom saves it to your presets folder.

In Lightroom Classic, your custom presets are saved only on that computer unless you export them. To share a preset with another computer or with someone else, right-click the preset name and select "Export" to save it as a .xmp file. In cloud Lightroom, any preset you create syncs automatically to all your devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same presets in both Lightroom Classic and cloud Lightroom?

Not directly. Presets made for Lightroom Classic use a different format than cloud Lightroom presets. However, if you create a preset in Lightroom Classic, you can export it and then import it into cloud Lightroom, and it will usually work — though some advanced settings may not transfer perfectly.

What's the difference between .xmp and .lrtemplate preset files?

.xmp is the standard format for Lightroom Classic presets and works across different versions. .lrtemplate is an older format that Lightroom Classic still recognizes but is less common now. Both work the same way when you load them — just drag them into your presets folder or use the import function.

Do I need to restart Lightroom every time I add new presets?

In Lightroom Classic, restarting is the safest way to make sure new presets appear, but you can also right-click the Presets panel and select Refresh. In cloud Lightroom, presets usually appear within a few seconds of importing them, but if they don't, try signing out and signing back in.

Where do I find the presets folder on my computer?

In Lightroom Classic, right-click any preset folder in the Presets panel and select "Show in Finder" (Mac) or "Show in Explorer" (Windows). This opens the folder directly. On Mac, it's usually in Users/[Your Name]/Library/process Support/Adobe/Lightroom/Develop Presets. On Windows, it's usually in Users/[Your Name]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Lightroom/Develop Presets.

Can I delete presets I don't use?

Yes. In Lightroom Classic, right-click a preset and select "Delete". In cloud Lightroom, click the three dots next to a preset and select Delete. Deleting a preset from Lightroom doesn't delete the original file on your computer — it only removes it from Lightroom's list. If you want to remove the file completely, you can delete it from your presets folder manually.