# Library - undelete **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussions\ **Created:** [October 12, 2017, 3:27am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/library-undelete/209837 "2017-10-12T03:27:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![parv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@parv](https://forums.plex.tv/u/parv)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 3:27am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/library-undelete/209837/1 "2017-10-12T03:27:58Z")
Hi, I tried to remove a library from the list of libraries under Plex but when I did that it deleted the files in the folder on the hard drive as well. The message indicated that it would not touch the local file on the hard drive. I do I get the files back? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 3:40am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/library-undelete/209837/2 "2017-10-12T03:40:59Z")
PMS doesn’t delete the files. I would like to see what actually happened. Please go to Settings - Server - Help - Download Logs. Attach that ZIP with your next post. Can you show, using a screenshot, the page you were on and state what you clicked ? ---
**Author:** ![parv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@parv](https://forums.plex.tv/u/parv)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/library-undelete/209837/3 "2017-10-12T19:27:50Z")
The above is the screen shot but for music not the library that was deleted… Also i have attached the zip file… Thanks ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 7:41pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/library-undelete/209837/4 "2017-10-12T19:41:39Z")
That page only removes the library section from PMS. It does not delete the media. To delete the actual media, you would need see something completely diffferent. It would be _this_ red Delete button **and** media deletion would need be enabled. From what you’ve shown me, you only removed the Library and the metadata. Your logs confirm the Library bundles (metadata only) being deleted This segment of your log shows me PMS can’t see your media and is flagging it. IF that is a network or external drive, find out why Windows disconnected it. Note: Soft deletion means it’s being marked with the red trashcan but still held. PMS thinks the media is offline and will wait. Also, observe how the ‘dead item count’ goes up and then back to zero. This indicates an unstable disk / network connection ```auto Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.609 [11512] DEBUG - Deleting media item 144744. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.609 [11512] DEBUG - Was connected to metadata item 92473, count is now 0. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.609 [11512] DEBUG - Destroying metadata item 92473 (Scorpion.S02E03) Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.609 [11512] DEBUG - Updating deletion state for metadata item 92470, is has a dead item count of 1. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.609 [11512] DEBUG - Updating deletion state for metadata item 92465, is has a dead item count of 1. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.609 [11512] DEBUG - Updating deletion state for metadata item 92374, is has a dead item count of 1. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.645 [11512] DEBUG - Deleting media item 144745. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.645 [11512] DEBUG - Was connected to metadata item 92474, count is now 0. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.645 [11512] DEBUG - Destroying metadata item 92474 (Scorpion.S02E04) Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.645 [11512] DEBUG - Updating deletion state for metadata item 92470, is has a dead item count of 0. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.645 [11512] DEBUG - Marking item 92470 as alive and well. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.645 [11512] DEBUG - Updating deletion state for metadata item 92465, is has a dead item count of 0. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.645 [11512] DEBUG - Marking item 92465 as alive and well. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.649 [11512] DEBUG - Updating deletion state for metadata item 92374, is has a dead item count of 0. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.649 [11512] DEBUG - Marking item 92374 as alive and well. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.665 [11512] DEBUG - Deleting media item 144746. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.665 [11512] DEBUG - Was connected to metadata item 92475, count is now 0. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.665 [11512] DEBUG - Destroying metadata item 92475 (Scorpion.S02E05) Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.665 [11512] DEBUG - Updating deletion state for metadata item 92470, is has a dead item count of 0. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.665 [11512] DEBUG - Updating deletion state for metadata item 92465, is has a dead item count of 0. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.665 [11512] DEBUG - Updating deletion state for metadata item 92374, is has a dead item count of 0. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.684 [11512] DEBUG - Deleting media item 144747. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.684 [11512] DEBUG - Was connected to metadata item 92476, count is now 0. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.684 [11512] DEBUG - Destroying metadata item 92476 (Scorpion.S02E06) Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.684 [11512] DEBUG - Updating deletion state for metadata item 92470, is has a dead item count of 0. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.684 [11512] DEBUG - Updating deletion state for metadata item 92465, is has a dead item count of 0. Oct 11, 2017 22:45:20.684 [11512] DEBUG - Updating deletion state for metadata item 92374, is has a dead item count of 0. ``` **THIS WILL ACTUALLY DELETE THE MEDIA** ---
**Author:** ![parv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@parv](https://forums.plex.tv/u/parv)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 8:24pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/library-undelete/209837/5 "2017-10-12T20:24:56Z")
The library was call “Home Videos” and “Pictures” . They are no longer on the main menu screen. When removed the library using the screen shot that I have provided, I checked the box to confirm delete library and then when the process completed…and i went back to the local hard drive not a NAS on a Windows 10 machine .the folder is there but no files exist in the folder. This is true for all my home videos and personal pictures …which I really need back and I don;t have a backup. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/library-undelete/209837/6 "2017-10-12T20:59:41Z")
I have chatted with everyone, including a co-founder, to confirm this. From the page you showed me, it is impossible to delete the files. Deleting files is only possible from the page I showed you. I would look in your trash can and on your external media storage. Every indication is that something external to PMS happened. Hopefully it is as simple as the device being unplugged or losing power. ---
**Author:** ![parv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@parv](https://forums.plex.tv/u/parv)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 2:16am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/library-undelete/209837/7 "2017-10-13T02:16:59Z")
this is not on a external hard drive and nothing in the trash bin of windows 10…is there a trash bin in Plex …?? ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 2:32am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/library-undelete/209837/8 "2017-10-13T02:32:58Z")
No. There is no trash bin. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 11:58pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/library-undelete/209837/9 "2020-01-07T23:58:43Z")