# AppDataa folder is HUGE **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussions\ **Created:** [September 27, 2018, 4:51pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146 "2018-09-27T16:51:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![2635599](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/2635599/32/96890_2.png) [@2635599](https://forums.plex.tv/u/2635599)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/1 "2018-09-27T16:52:00Z")
i googled about backing up plex [https://support.plex.tv/articles/202915258-where-is-the-plex-media-server-data-directory-located/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/202915258-where-is-the-plex-media-server-data-directory-located/) . so after reading that i checked plex’s folder and it’s 13.4 gigs and the metadata fold in it is 8.48 gigs by itself. you guys can’t be saying if i want to do a backup i need all 13.4 gigs, right? i also have the media player installed as well, so any info on backing it up as well would be greatly appreciated. thanks ---
**Author:** ![Balthazar2k4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/balthazar2k4/32/195988_2.png) [@Balthazar2k4](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Balthazar2k4)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 4:58pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/2 "2018-09-27T16:58:40Z")
My metadata folder clocks in at 10.1GB so that is about right. You only need to back it up if you have spent the time manually curating the artwork for your media. Otherwise, just backup the database itself. ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 4:58pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/3 "2018-09-27T16:58:54Z")
[https://support.plex.tv/articles/202529153-why-is-my-plex-media-server-directory-so-large/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/202529153-why-is-my-plex-media-server-directory-so-large/) ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/4 "2018-09-27T16:59:34Z")
> [@Windows Plex Media Server minimal backup](https://forums.plex.tv/t/windows-plex-media-server-minimal-backup/310521): > > I have searched old posts and can not find a good description of what I really need to backup from the appdata folder for windows Plex Media Server. I would like to be able to be back watching plex once windows and plex reinstalled after a system crash. I have the registry backed up on a separate data drive I have the plex database backed up on a separate data drive what folders can I exclude in the \AppData\Local\Plex Media Server\ location to keep the backup as small as possible (or … ---
**Author:** ![2635599](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/2635599/32/96890_2.png) [@2635599](https://forums.plex.tv/u/2635599)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 5:03pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/5 "2018-09-27T17:03:04Z")
not sure if i understood you correctly, but if i am if i back up just the database i’ll keep my personal layout, the artwork that was downloaded? ---
**Author:** ![Balthazar2k4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/balthazar2k4/32/195988_2.png) [@Balthazar2k4](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Balthazar2k4)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 5:15pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/6 "2018-09-27T17:15:36Z")
The database file only maintains the field data and statistics. If you want to preserve artwork you will need the metadata directory as well. The second like that @OttoKerner sent is a good guide. ---
**Author:** ![2635599](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/2635599/32/96890_2.png) [@2635599](https://forums.plex.tv/u/2635599)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/7 "2018-09-27T17:58:11Z")
ok this is better. i did the following and reduced the folder to 5.49 gigs. " Delete Existing Video Preview Thumbnails If you have existing video preview thumbnails that you no longer want, you can remove those. To do so: 1. Edit the library for which you want to remove thumbnails (e.g. your Movies or TV library) 2. Select the Advanced tab on the left 3. Use the Delete Preview Thumbnails button 4. Confirm that you want to delete them" now when i go to reinstall is there a way to have this folder on another drive and have plex access it? i’m not likeing the idea of anything eating up that much room on c. thanks ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/8 "2018-09-27T17:58:46Z")
> [@Moving Metadata on Windows](https://forums.plex.tv/t/moving-metadata-on-windows/93436/3): > > This post is no longer up-to-date. Please go here for the current version of the instructions: [[HowTo] An extended guide on how to move the Plex data folder on Windows](https://forums.plex.tv/t/howto-an-extended-guide-on-how-to-move-the-plex-data-folder-on-windows/197060/1) End plex go to the ‘Services’ control panel of Windows and Stop the ‘Plex Update Service’ copy this folder and all its content to the new location C:\Users\\\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server The copy process can take several hours if you have a fairly big library. start plex go to Settings - Server - Gene… ---
**Author:** ![2635599](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/2635599/32/96890_2.png) [@2635599](https://forums.plex.tv/u/2635599)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 6:04pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/9 "2018-09-27T18:04:11Z")
thank you for the quick and excellent reply. one last questing. since media player gets it’s info from the server i need not do anything to it correct? ---
**Author:** ![Balthazar2k4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/balthazar2k4/32/195988_2.png) [@Balthazar2k4](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Balthazar2k4)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/10 "2018-09-27T18:12:54Z")
It should also be noted that one should turn off “Empty trash automatically after every scan” in the server settings before backing up. Otherwise it will make life very difficult when you restore. There should not be anything to backup in PMP. ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 6:15pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/11 "2018-09-27T18:15:06Z")
Actually, Plex server must **not** be running **at all** during the backup or restore procedure. ---
**Author:** ![2635599](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/2635599/32/96890_2.png) [@2635599](https://forums.plex.tv/u/2635599)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/12 "2018-09-27T18:16:08Z")
> [@OttoKerner](#): > > Beware! The path you type in must not include ‘Plex Media Server’ as last part. So if n… o.k. once i finish the copy and reenable plex, i’ll make sure i turn that off before i change the appdata path. noe you lost me here. “Beware! The path you type in must not include ‘Plex Media Server’ as last part. So if n…” ---
**Author:** ![2635599](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/2635599/32/96890_2.png) [@2635599](https://forums.plex.tv/u/2635599)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/13 "2018-09-27T18:17:05Z")
i got that. exited plex and stopped the update service. ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 6:18pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/14 "2018-09-27T18:18:47Z")
> [@2635599](#): > > noe you lost me here. > > “Beware! The path you type in must not include ‘Plex Media Server’ as last part. So if n…” Expand the linked article. You are only looking at a shortened version of it. click on the header or on the chevron pointing downwards, right of the header ---
**Author:** ![2635599](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/2635599/32/96890_2.png) [@2635599](https://forums.plex.tv/u/2635599)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/15 "2018-09-27T18:26:29Z")
LOL i see now ---
**Author:** ![2635599](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/2635599/32/96890_2.png) [@2635599](https://forums.plex.tv/u/2635599)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/16 "2018-09-27T19:18:56Z")
o.k. other than the files finishing their deletion all looks good. i test the server and media player and perfect. thank you both for the help, very much appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/appdataa-folder-is-huge/313146/17 "2018-12-26T19:18:56Z")
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