Does Deleting a PLEX library delete the files or only what it indexes?

Plex Media Server
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Server Version#: latest as at 2022.09.07
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hello…

I have a large number of Photos I backed up on my Synology NAS where Plex Media server is installed.

I access PLEX via Roku Ultra device on my “dumb” tv.

Yesterday, I thought I would create a new PLEX library to be able to display photos on TV.

After creating library Name “photos” I added the photos to the library by pointing to the folder containing the backup photos on the NAS.

It took a very long time to do its thing and when finished I saw the photos in plex app but when clicking on any of them, get a message “unable to load photo”

So I assume I was wrong in thinking that adding the files to the library was just adding pointers to the folder containing my backup photos.

so now I just want to delete the Plex library “photos” but if I do, Will it delete the files (photos) themselves or just delete pointers to them?

I don’t want the library to exist since it does not do what I expected it would.

thanks for any help you can offer.

Cheers!
Garry

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It will not delete anything from your storage system. Your photos will still be there, just not visible in Plex.

It is possible to delete things from your hard drive using Plex. If you’re unclear about what you can delete from Plex and what will get deleted from your hard drive I would uncheck this box under settings → library

Screenshot (503)

I would try to find a solution for why your pictures won’t open though. Did you take these pictures with an Iphone by chance?

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How large are the image files? By default, Plex won’t open photos larger than about 100 MB.

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Hi JaysPlex7 …

thank you for responding. So if I understand correctly, deleting a library from Plex on my Synology NAS, will not delete those same files on the NAS?
The photos were all taken on Nikon DSLR D300/D750 and file sizes range from 6-17 MB (JPG) to up to 30 MB for (RAW/NEF).files. The majority of them though are JPG.

The files are stored in a main folder (i.e. Greece 2018) with subfolders such as day1, day2 etc.
When I created the library I added files at the top level…i.e… Greece and Plex did find and organize contents within each sub folder name.

I can understand if PLEX cannot deal with RAW files but as mentioned most are JPG format and wont display.

So then when creating a library on PLEX (hosted on NAS) and “adding files” to the library on same NAS device, is PLEX just indexing the files and not Moving/copying them into the library? Not clear on how adding files works.

Once again, thanks for your reply. Hopefully you can add more insight to the questions.

Cheers
Garry

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Hi Beckfield … Files range in size but are not all that big for the most part. See my reply to JaysPlex7.

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Correct.

Plex is indexing the files. Plex does not move/copy/modify your files.

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Hi FordGuy61 …
Great… so safe to just delete the library?
Also a ford guy myself!.
Cheers!
Garry

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Yes.

Test it. Copy a few photos into a new folder. Add that folder to a new library. Let Plex index the photos. Then delete the library.

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Another resource that might answer why Plex can’t see the files:
Permissions is a common cause of Plex not seeing files. Check item #19 on this FAQ:

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thanks beckfield. I deleted the library and will try again later after I resolve my issue with remote access to NAS not happening.

I will check back later on this thread and post any changes to status on the issue.

Once again, thanks for your help.

Cheers!
Garry

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all good. thanks FordGuy.

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