How to Install Lightroom Classic Presets: The 2026 Ultimate Guide

Lightroom presets are the industry standard for maintaining a consistent visual brand and accelerating your professional workflow. Whether you are using .XMP files or older legacy formats, knowing how to properly index them in the Develop Module is crucial for non-destructive editing. In this guide, we will show you the fastest manual method to install Lightroom Classic presets for both Mac and PC.

Quick Reference: Installation Summary

💡 Pro-Tip: Preserve Your Original Data

Lightroom Classic presets are non-destructive. This means applying a preset does not change your original RAW data; it simply layers instructions on top. If a look is too intense, you can use the Preset Amount Slider (found at the top of the Presets panel) to dial back the opacity of the effect without losing your base adjustments.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Step 1: Prepare and Copy Your Preset Files

Unzip your download and save the files to your desktop. Select the entire folder containing your presets, Right-click, and select Copy. Copying the folder ensures your Preset Panel stays organized and categorized once imported.

Step 2: Access Lightroom Classic Preferences

Launch Lightroom Classic. In the top left menu bar, click Lightroom Classic (Mac) or Edit (PC) and select Preferences from the dropdown menu to open the core settings window.

Step 3: Navigate to the Presets Tab

Inside the Preferences window, select the Presets tab. This section manages how Lightroom handles global and local adjustment files.

Step 4: Locate the Settings Folder

Click the button labeled “Show Lightroom Develop Presets.” This will open your computer’s file system directly to the CameraRaw directory. From here, locate and open the Settings folder.

📁 Pro-Tip: Stay Organized with Folders

Instead of pasting individual .xmp files, always paste the entire folder containing your presets into the Settings directory. Lightroom Classic will automatically recognize the folder name and create a corresponding Preset Group. This keeps your Develop Module clean and professional.

Step 5: Paste and Restart

Right-click inside the Settings folder and select Paste. Once the files are moved, close all Lightroom windows and restart the application. Your new presets will now appear in the Presets Panel on the left side of the Develop Module.

📱 Pro-Tip: Syncing to Lightroom Mobile

Want these presets on your phone? If you are a Creative Cloud subscriber, any .xmp preset installed into Lightroom Classic will automatically sync to Lightroom Mobile as long as you have “Sync with Lightroom” enabled.

⚠️ Troubleshooting: Why can’t I see my presets?

If you have followed the steps but the presets are missing, check these three things:

1. Restart: Adobe Lightroom Classic only indexes the ‘Settings’ folder during startup. If the app was open, restart it.
2. File Format: Ensure your files end in .XMP. Legacy .lrtemplate files may need to be imported via File > Import Develop Profiles and Presets.
3. Store Presets with Catalog: In Preferences, ensure ‘Store presets with this catalog’ is unchecked unless you want them tied to one specific project.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

You are now ready to start using Professional Lightroom Presets to transform your photography. By manually installing files into the Settings folder, you ensure they are correctly indexed and ready for high-volume batch processing. If you have questions about specific camera profiles or local adjustments, check out our guide on How to Install Lightroom Classic Brushes.

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