# Can't Find Where Plex Data Files Are

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/cant-find-where-plex-data-files-are/726417>\
**Category:** Plex Media Server\
**Tags:** server-windows\
**Created:** [July 3, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cant-find-where-plex-data-files-are/726417 "2021-07-03T19:42:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DL777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bc79bd/32.png) [@DL777](https://forums.plex.tv/u/DL777)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cant-find-where-plex-data-files-are/726417/1 "2021-07-03T19:42:42Z")

</div>

Server Version#: 1.23.3.4707  
Player Version#:  
I am trying to move my Plex server data from one Windows PC to another and my %LOCALAPPDATA%\Plex Media Server brings up nothing. There is not a Plex directory under my user. I installed Plex server on an external drive and not the local C: drive. Should I copy the Plex Media Server folder that is on the external drive? Thanks.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [July 3, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cant-find-where-plex-data-files-are/726417/2 "2021-07-03T19:53:02Z")

</div>

`AppData` is a hidden folder. You could enable visibility of hidden files and folders in the Windoes file explorer to see it.

Or, if you just copy

```auto
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Plex Media Server

```

into the clipboard and then place your mouse cursor into the address bar of the Windows file explorer,  
click _once_  
and then use the keyboard combo to paste from the clipboard (CTRL+V),  
followed by pressing Enter  
it will take you to the right folder instantly.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DL777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bc79bd/32.png) [@DL777](https://forums.plex.tv/u/DL777)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2021, 8:15pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cant-find-where-plex-data-files-are/726417/3 "2021-07-03T20:15:23Z")

</div>

Thanks. Now I am remember that I used the hack years ago to move the database to an external drive since my C: drive is only 32GB for everything (windows included).

> [@\[HowTo\] 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):
>
> By default, Plex server stores all its own data on the system drive, in the AppData path of the Windows user. You might want to change that location, if your system drive is a small SSD or you are simply having capacity issues. Moving Plex data to a dedicated drive also makes it easier to retain your Plex server data when changing machines or re-installing Windows from scratch. For larger servers/collections, I recommend a dedicated, internal SSD drive. Exit/End/Quit/Close plex, using the t…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [July 4, 2021, 9:19am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cant-find-where-plex-data-files-are/726417/4 "2021-07-04T09:19:02Z")

</div>

Then you will find the right location in the registry.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DL777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bc79bd/32.png) [@DL777](https://forums.plex.tv/u/DL777)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 12:45pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cant-find-where-plex-data-files-are/726417/5 "2021-07-04T12:45:39Z")

</div>

I imported my exported Plex Server registry settings into the new PC and the registry shows that the LocalAppDataPath is D:. That is where it was with my old PC. Should I change it to C:?

Should the path only be the C: drive letter on a standard install?

Thanks.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [July 4, 2021, 2:49pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cant-find-where-plex-data-files-are/726417/6 "2021-07-04T14:49:46Z")

</div>

> [@DL777](#):
>
> Should the path only be the C: drive letter on a standard install?

No. To tell plex to use the default path, you simply remove the registry key `LocalAppDataPath` completely from the registry.

But of course the old content of your [plex data folder](https://support.plex.tv/articles/202915258-where-is-the-plex-media-server-data-directory-located/) must then be located at the default location in `C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server`.  
If it isn’t, all libraries have to be recreated and none of your old metadata will appear in the new server.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DL777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bc79bd/32.png) [@DL777](https://forums.plex.tv/u/DL777)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 3:28pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cant-find-where-plex-data-files-are/726417/7 "2021-07-04T15:28:27Z")

</div>

Thanks.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2021, 3:29pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cant-find-where-plex-data-files-are/726417/8 "2021-10-02T15:29:26Z")

</div>

This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.