What are previews.db Error Messages?

General previews.db Runtime Errors

previews.db file errors often occur during the startup phase of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, but can also occur while the program is running. These types DB errors are also known as “runtime errors” because they occur while Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is running. Here are some of the most common previews.db runtime errors:

• previews.db could not be found.
• previews.db error.
• previews.db failed to load.
• Error loading previews.db.
• Failed to register previews.db / Cannot register previews.db.
• Runtime Error - previews.db.
• The file previews.db is missing or corrupt.

Most DB errors are due to missing or corrupt files. Your previews.db file could be missing due to accidental deletion, uninstalled as a shared file of another program (shared with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom), or deleted by a malware infection. Furthermore, previews.db file corruption could be caused from a power outage when loading Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, system crash while loading or saving previews.db, bad sectors on your storage media (usually your primary hard drive), or malware infection. Thus, it’s critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.

How to Fix previews.db Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your previews.db issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

1. Hit the Windows Start button
2. When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
3. In the search results, find and click System Restore.
4. Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
5. Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
6. Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the previews.db error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

You can uninstall Adobe Photoshop Lightroom software by following these instructions (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

1. Hit the Windows Start button
2. In the search box, type "Uninstall" and press "ENTER".
3. In the search results, find and click "Add or Remove Programs"
4. Find the entry for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6.7 (CC 2015.7) and click "Uninstall"
5. Follow the prompts for uninstallation.

After the software has been fully uninstalled, restart your PC and reinstall Adobe Photoshop Lightroom software.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6.7 (CC 2015.7)

Adobe Systems Incorporated

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many previews.db error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

1. Hit the Windows Start button
2. In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
3. In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
4. If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
5. After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the previews.db error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.

If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your previews.db File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate previews.db file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free previews.db files for every applicable version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

1. Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download previews.db Files".
2. Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
3. Copy this file to the appropriate Adobe Photoshop Lightroom folder location:
   
   Windows 10: C:\Users\Tester\Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom Catalog Previews.lrdata\
   
4. Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows 10.

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