I am trying to set up Plex on a Linux (Zorin OS 18 Ubuntu) PC so I can get rid of Windows. I installed PMS via the .deb file and can start the service, but I can’t copy the configuration files so I don’t need to start from scratch.
It tells me it failed because the destination is Read Only. I’ve been trying for hours to change user and read/write permissions but it either doesn’t work or tells me there is no such directory even though I copied it directly from the directory path.
I am not a computer programmer nor a Linux expert, so I am hoping someone can offer clear, non-technobabble help to get me set up.
I chose Zorin because I like the look and feel of it more than Mint or Ubuntu. Anything is a good alternative to Windows, especially now.
Basic Linux yes, Admin no. Not getting the root ownership and how to overcome it using most online instructions, which haven’t worked.
I finally found something n here that was close enough to let me copy the files, but I still don’t understand how Plex can access the config files if they are read only.
Nov 08, 2025 16:06:28.319 [2008] INFO - Plex Media Server v1.31.3.6868-28fc46b27 - Microsoft PC x64 - build: windows-x86 windows - GMT -07:00
Nov 08, 2025 16:06:28.319 [2008] INFO - Windows version: 6.1 (Build 7601), language en-US
Nov 08, 2025 16:06:28.319 [2008] INFO - 2 1808 MHz processor(s): Architecture=0, Level=16, Revision=1539 Processor Identifier=AMD64 Family 16 Model 6 Stepping 3, AuthenticAMD
Nov 08, 2025 16:06:28.319 [2008] INFO - Compiler is - MSVC 1929
I’m going to go through the steps to confirm what you should have done as a checklist to identify what got missed.
You made a ZIP of the Plex Media Server directory from the Windows machine.
You installed Zorin
As root (sudo bash), you did the apt update ; apt ugprade -y to get any needed updates (restarting if needed)
Installed it with sudo dpkg -i package_filename.deb
At this point, we should have directory /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server
PMS will be running (it’s an empty configuration at this point)
From the terminal / command line window – Stop Plex sudo systemctl stop plexmediaserver
Now we extract the ZIP file from windows (you want to overwrite ALL) cd "/var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support" sudo unzip /path/to/Windows-Plex-file.zip
When it finishes we fix all the ownership and permissions sudo chown -R plex:plex . sudo find . -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \; sudo find . -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;
Let’s delete all the old Windows log files so we start clean
`sudo rm -rf “Plex Media Server/Logs”
Start it up sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver
Confirm it’s running (you should see processes listed) ps -ef | grep -i plex
The procedure you used, whomever wrote it, was incorrect.
I would like to start over.
On Windows:
With Windows STOPped.
Make a ZIP of the Plex Media Server folder which contains other subfolders (Cache, Codecs, Drivers, Logs, Media, Metadata, etc). This isn’t a ‘config’, it’s the actual “Server instance” (databases and all your metadata)
Depending on the size of it to your home folder on Linux.
IF YOU CAN’T, Stop here and let me know.
rm -rf "Plex Media Server" (remove what was previously setup)
Assuming your ZIP file from windows fit in your home folder, we’re going to unzip it into where Plex wants the files unzip ~/NameOfWindowsZipfile.zip -d .`
You should see it create Plex Media Server and everything beneath it.
I completely uninstalled PMS. Something with the permissions you listed locked me out. I couldn’t manage apps or even their icons on the desktop and Firefox wouldn’t start.
I reset permissions to the username and will have to try to install Plex again after dinner.
I don’t need to zip the file because I have the drive from the old server PC plugged into the new one for a direct copy.
