Watch this video for the EASY way to install Lightroom presets:

You can also download the step by step installation instructions by clicking this link.

Step 1: Locate the preset or unzip the folder of presets

If you downloaded a set of Lightroom presets as a zip file you first need to unzip the folder.  On a Mac you can simply double click the .zip folder to unzip it.  If you are on PC, please view the unzip instructions below:

Step 1: Unzip The Preset Folder (Skip to Step 2 this part if you know how to unzip a folder :)

Locate the zip file you downloaded, it’s likely in your ‘downloads’ folder.

On a Mac:

Double-click the zip folder to unzip it.

In Windows 10:

1. 1. Locate the zipped folder that you want to unzip (extract) files or folders from.
   2. Do one of the following:
      • To unzip a single file or folder, open the zipped folder, then drag the file or folder from the zipped folder to a new location.
      • To unzip all the contents of the zipped folder, press and hold (or right-click) the folder, select Extract All, and then follow the instructions.

Link to Microsoft instructions page and video.

In Windows 8:

1. Open File Explorer by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tappingSearch (or if you’re using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering File Explorer in the search box, and then tapping or clicking File Explorer.
2. To extract individual files or folders, open the compressed folder and then drag the files or folders you want to extract to the new location. To extract everything in a compressed folder tap or click the Compressed Folders Tool tab and then tap or click Extract All.

Link to Microsoft instructions page and video.

In Windows 7:

1. Double-click the folder to unzip it then drag the file from the compressed folder to a new location

OR

2. To extract the contents of the compressed folder, right-click the folder, click Extract All, and then follow the instructions.

Link to Microsoft instructions page and video. 

 In Windows Vista:

1. Double-click the folder to unzip it then drag the file from the compressed folder to a new location

OR

2. To extract the contents of the compressed folder, right-click the folder, click Extract All, and then follow the instructions.

Link to Microsoft instructions page

 In Windows XP:

1. Open “My Computer” (start button -> my computer) and locate the zip file
2. To extract a single file or folder, double-click the zipped folder to open it. Then, drag the file or folder from the zipped folder to a new location.
3. To extract all files or folders, right-click the zipped folder, and then click Extract All. In the zipped Folders Extraction Wizard, specify where you want to store the extracted files.

If your Windows PC doesn’t have an unzip utility you can download a free trial of Winzip or another free unzip utility. I don’t provide support on unzip utilities.
Link to Microsoft instructions page

Step 2: Open the “develop” module in Lightroom.

Step 3:  Create a new folder for the new presets

There are three ways to do this.  Make sure you are in the Develop module.

1. Click Control+Alt+N on a PC, Command+Option+N on a MAC to create a new folder.
2. Click “develop” in the top left menu, scroll down to ‘new preset folder’, and click it.  Name the folder.
3. Right-click  on a preset name or preset folder, select “new folder” and name it.  If you right-click on the word “presets” in the top of the presets box it won’t work.

Quick tip: make sure you have right-click enabled on your mouse/trackpad.  Click here to see instructions on enabling this on a Mac, click here to see instructions on how to enable this on a Windows PC, or just watch the video at the top of this page starting at 4:35.

I like to separate my presets into different folders by what they do.  Color presets have their own folder, black and white have their own folder, etc.

This will make sure everything is nice and orderly so you don’t waste a bunch of time getting all your presets jumbled up.

Step 4: Import your presets into your new folder

Click the folder you just made to select it, then right-click on the new folder you just made and click “import”.

Step 5: Select all your Lightroom presets and click “import” on MAC, click “open” on a PC.

Step 6: You’re done.  Enjoy!

Now you know how to install Lightroom presets anytime you download them!