# What to Back Up Before Installing PhotoGIMP: Essential GIMP Configuration Safety

> Safeguard your GIMP setup before installing PhotoGIMP. Back up your configuration folder to preserve custom shortcuts, tool presets, and workspace layouts.

- Repository: [Diolinux/PhotoGIMP](https://github.com/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-05-20

---

**Back up your entire GIMP 3.0 configuration folder (e.g., `~/.config/GIMP/3.0` on Linux) before installing PhotoGIMP to prevent permanent loss of custom shortcuts, tool presets, and workspace layouts.**

PhotoGIMP transforms the open-source image editor into a Photoshop-like environment by overwriting core user preferences. According to the Diolinux/PhotoGIMP repository documentation, the installation process replaces existing configuration files without merging or preserving prior customizations, making a complete directory backup mandatory for protecting your personalized setup.

## Why PhotoGIMP Requires a Full Configuration Backup

PhotoGIMP applies its interface modifications by replacing multiple critical configuration files inside your user profile's GIMP directory. As documented in the repository's README (lines 44-47), the patch overwrites files such as `shortcutsrc`, `toolrc`, and `gimprc` directly in the configuration path. Because these files store your personalized keyboard shortcuts, default tool settings, and UI layouts, failing to create a backup results in irreversible loss of custom preferences.

The specific files targeted by the installer include:

- `shortcutsrc` — Photoshop-style keyboard shortcuts
- `toolrc` — Tool ordering and default settings
- `sessionrc` — Window layout and panel positions
- `dockrc` — Dock and panel configurations
- `gimprc` — General preferences including canvas size and grid settings
- `contextrc` — Active tool and color context states
- `splashes/` — Custom splash screen images
- [`theme.css`](https://github.com/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP/blob/main/theme.css) — UI theme customizations
- `templaterc` — Pre-defined canvas templates

## Configuration Directory Locations by Operating System

PhotoGIMP modifies files within the version-specific `3.0` folder. Locate your platform's equivalent path before proceeding.

### Linux (Flatpak or Distribution Package)

Standard path for GIMP 3.0 configurations:

```

~/.config/GIMP/3.0

```

### Windows

Configuration resides in the AppData roaming profile:

```

%APPDATA%\GIMP\3.0

```

### macOS

User-specific application support directory:

```

~/Library/Application Support/GIMP/3.0

```

## How to Back Up Your GIMP 3.0 Configuration

Duplicate the entire `3.0` folder to a safe location before running the PhotoGIMP installer. Use the commands below appropriate for your operating system.

### Linux Backup Command

```bash
cp -r ~/.config/GIMP/3.0 ~/GIMP-3.0-backup

```

This command recursively copies your current GIMP 3.0 settings to a backup folder in your home directory.

### Windows PowerShell Backup

```powershell
$src = "$env:APPDATA\GIMP\3.0"
$dst = "$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\GIMP-3.0-backup"
Copy-Item -Recurse -Force $src $dst

```

This script copies the configuration from your AppData folder to the Desktop for easy access.

### macOS Terminal Backup

```bash
cp -R ~/Library/Application\ Support/GIMP/3.0 ~/Desktop/GIMP-3.0-backup

```

The `-R` flag ensures all subdirectories, including resource folders like `splashes/`, are preserved.

## Restoring Your Original GIMP Settings

If you need to revert PhotoGIMP changes, restore your backup by reversing the copy operation. Replace the modified `3.0` folder with your saved backup:

1. Close GIMP completely
2. Delete or rename the current `3.0` configuration folder
3. Copy your backup folder to the original location
4. Rename it back to `3.0` if necessary
5. Restart GIMP

This process restores all previous shortcuts, preferences, and workspace layouts exactly as they were before the PhotoGIMP installation.

## Summary

- **PhotoGIMP overwrites** the entire `3.0` configuration directory, replacing `shortcutsrc`, `toolrc`, `sessionrc`, and other critical preference files.
- **Configuration locations** vary by platform: `~/.config/GIMP/3.0` on Linux, `%APPDATA%\GIMP\3.0` on Windows, and `~/Library/Application Support/GIMP/3.0` on macOS.
- **Backup method** requires copying the complete `3.0` folder recursively, not just individual files, to preserve brushes, plugins, and other resources.
- **Restoration** involves replacing the modified folder with your backup copy to return GIMP to its pre-PhotoGIMP state.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What specific files does PhotoGIMP modify during installation?

PhotoGIMP replaces nine core configuration files including `shortcutsrc` for keyboard mappings, `toolrc` for default tool behaviors, `sessionrc` for window layouts, and `gimprc` for general preferences. According to the repository README (lines 61-68), these files control the Photoshop-like interface emulation.

### Can I preview PhotoGIMP without losing my current GIMP setup?

No, the standard installation method overwrites existing configuration files directly. To test PhotoGIMP safely, create a full backup of your `3.0` folder first, then restore it immediately after testing to revert all changes.

### How do I completely remove PhotoGIMP and return to standard GIMP?

Restore your pre-installation backup by copying the saved `3.0` folder back to its original location, overwriting the PhotoGIMP-modified files. If you neglected to create a backup, you must manually delete the `3.0` folder to reset GIMP to factory defaults, though this erases all customizations.

### Does PhotoGIMP support GIMP 2.10, or only version 3.0?

The current PhotoGIMP release targets the GIMP 3.0 configuration structure (`3.0` folder). While some files may be compatible with GIMP 2.10, the repository specifically references the `3.0` directory paths, indicating primary support for GIMP 3.0 and later versions.