Where Does DxO PhotoLab Store the Database and Sidecars?
DxO PhotoLab keeps its database in Roaming AppData with .dop sidecars beside photos, plus cache and modules locally.
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DxO PhotoLab tracks every edit twice. The database in Roaming AppData holds metadata, corrections, and indexing. The .dop sidecar beside each RAW holds the same corrections in portable form. Lose the sidecars and a rebuilt database starts from scratch.
Modules, cache, and licenses scatter across Local AppData and ProgramData. Nothing migrates between Windows and Mac: neither the database nor .dop files cross platforms. Back up the database folder plus sidecars before reinstalls, and keep photo folders stable so links survive.
Where DxO PhotoLab stores this, by platform
%APPDATA%\DxO\DxO PhotoLab [version]\Database
Modules in %LOCALAPPDATA%\DxO\DxO PhotoLab, cache beside them, licenses in %PROGRAMDATA%\DxO Labs\Licenses. Sidecars named IMG.NEF.DOP sit next to originals. Database path can move in Preferences.
~/Library/DxO PhotoLab/Database
Mac path per DxO docs under Library DxO PhotoLab. Sidecars and database are Windows incompatible, so migrate with exported images rather than raw database copies.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move the DxO PhotoLab database to another drive?
Yes on Windows through Preferences and DxO PhotoLab Database and Browse, taking effect after restart. Copy sidecars along so edits survive even if the database restore hiccups.
Why do my edits vanish after moving photo folders?
The database keys edits by path. Moved folders break the link even when .dop sidecars travel along. Reindex from the new location or restore the database backup taken before the move.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.