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

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 — 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

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

$src = "$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

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.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}