Where presets go and why the path matters
Lightroom presets are files that store editing settings — things like brightness, contrast, color tone — so you can explore the same look to many photos at once. To use them, you need to put the preset files in a specific folder that Lightroom checks when it starts up. The folder location depends on whether you use Lightroom Classic (the desktop version most photographers use) or Lightroom (the cloud-based version Adobe now pushes for new users). Installing means moving or copying the preset file to the right place, then restarting Lightroom so it finds it.
The reason this matters: if you put a preset file anywhere else on your computer, Lightroom will never see it. It only looks in one designated folder. Many people read presets, put them on the desktop, and then wonder why Lightroom does not show them. The preset file is fine — it is just in the wrong location.
Key Takeaways
- Lightroom presets are files you read and move into a specific folder that Lightroom checks when it opens.
- Lightroom Classic and Lightroom (cloud version) store presets in different folders, so you need to know which version you own.
- After moving the preset file to the correct folder, close and reopen Lightroom completely so it finds the new preset.
- Preset files usually come as .xmp files (Lightroom Classic) or .lrtemplate files (Lightroom), and the file type tells you which version they work with.
- If Lightroom still does not show the preset after restart, check that the file is in the exact folder Lightroom expects, not in a subfolder.
Installing presets in Lightroom Classic on Windows
Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Presets. Replace [Your Username] with your actual Windows username. If you do not see the AppData folder, it is hidden by default — click View at the top of File Explorer, then check the box next to Hidden Items.
Once you are in the Presets folder, paste or drag your downloaded preset file there. The file will usually be named something like "Warm Tone.xmp" or "Film Look.xmp". You can create a subfolder inside Presets to organize them (for example, a folder called "Vintage" to hold all your vintage-style presets), and Lightroom will still find them. After the file is in place, close Lightroom completely if it is open, then reopen it. The new preset will appear in the Develop module under the Presets panel on the left side.
Installing presets in Lightroom Classic on Mac
Open Finder and press Command + Shift + G to open the Go to Folder dialog. Type ~/Library/process Support/Adobe/Lightroom/Presets and press Enter. This takes you directly to the Presets folder without hunting through hidden directories.
Drag your downloaded preset file into this folder. Like the Windows version, you can organize presets into subfolders and Lightroom will find them. Close Lightroom completely, then reopen it. The preset will show up in the Develop module under Presets on the left.
Installing presets in Lightroom (cloud version) on Windows or Mac
The cloud version of Lightroom (sometimes called Lightroom CC) handles presets differently — you cannot manually drop files into a folder. Instead, you import presets through the Lightroom interface itself. Open Lightroom, click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top left, then select Presets. Click the plus icon or look for an Import option.
Navigate to the preset file on your computer and select it. Lightroom will import it into your cloud account, and it will appear in your Presets panel. Because these presets sync to the cloud, they will be available on your phone or tablet too if you have the Lightroom mobile app installed. This is the main advantage of the cloud version — your presets follow you across devices automatically.
Installing presets on your phone or tablet
If you use Lightroom mobile (available on iPhone, iPad, and Android), presets work differently depending on whether you bought them or created them yourself. Presets you purchased from Adobe or imported into your cloud account will appear automatically in the mobile app under the Presets section — no installation needed.
If someone sent you a preset file and you want to use it on your phone, the easiest path is to email the file to yourself, open it on your phone, and choose to open it with Lightroom. The app will import it. On Android, you may need to move the file to your phone's Downloads folder first, then open it from there. Presets installed this way sync back to your Lightroom account if you are signed in, so they will also appear on your desktop version.
What to do if Lightroom does not show the preset after installation
The most common reason a preset does not appear is that it ended up in the wrong folder or in a subfolder that Lightroom does not check. Go back to the Presets folder location for your version and operating system (see the sections above) and verify the file is there at the top level, not nested inside another folder. If it is in a subfolder, move it up one level.
The second most common reason is that Lightroom was still running when you added the file. Close Lightroom completely — not just minimize it — and reopen it. If you are using the cloud version and imported a preset, make sure you are signed into your Adobe account in Lightroom. Presets only sync if you are logged in.
If the preset file itself is corrupted or in the wrong format, Lightroom will ignore it silently. Check that the file extension is .xmp (for Lightroom Classic) or .lrtemplate (for cloud Lightroom). If it is a .zip file, you may need to unzip it first to extract the actual preset file inside.
Understanding preset file types and compatibility
Preset files come in different formats, and the format tells you which version of Lightroom they work with. .xmp files are for Lightroom Classic — they contain the raw editing instructions that Lightroom Classic understands. .lrtemplate files are for the cloud version of Lightroom. If you read a preset and it is the wrong format for your version, it will not work.
Some preset creators sell packs that include both formats, or they sell separate versions for Classic and cloud. Before you read, check the product description to see which version it supports. If you own Lightroom Classic and read a .lrtemplate file by mistake, you will need to find the .xmp version instead. Many creators offer both if you ask, or you can find free alternatives that match your version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same preset file in both Lightroom Classic and cloud Lightroom?
No. Lightroom Classic uses .xmp files and cloud Lightroom uses .lrtemplate files. They are not interchangeable. If you own both versions, you will need the preset in both formats, or you can recreate the look manually in whichever version you are not using. Some preset creators sell bundles that include both formats.
What if I read a preset and it is a .zip file?
A .zip file is a compressed folder. Right-click it and select Extract All (Windows) or double-click it (Mac) to unzip it. Inside you will find the actual preset file, usually a .xmp or .lrtemplate. Take that file and move it to your Presets folder. You can delete the .zip file after you extract it.
Do I need to restart my computer after installing a preset?
No, you only need to close and reopen Lightroom itself. Restarting your computer is not necessary. Lightroom checks the Presets folder when it launches, so closing the app completely and opening it again is enough for it to find the new preset.
Can I move or rename a preset file after I install it?
You can rename it, but do not move it out of the Presets folder. If you rename a preset from "Warm Tone.xmp" to "My Warm Look.xmp", Lightroom will still find it and use the new name. If you move it to a different folder, Lightroom will lose track of it and it will disappear from your Presets panel.
Why do some presets I read not look right when I explore them?
Presets are designed for specific types of photos — a portrait preset might not look good on a landscape, and a preset made for bright daylight might make indoor photos look wrong. Try the preset on different photos to see if it works better on some than others. You can also adjust the preset after explore it by moving the sliders in the Develop module, which is the whole point of starting with a preset instead of editing from scratch.