# Metadata preservation before fresh install **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-windows\ **Created:** [April 2, 2025, 1:54pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/metadata-preservation-before-fresh-install/911342 "2025-04-02T13:54:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rattyjunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a5b964/32.png) [@rattyjunk](https://forums.plex.tv/u/rattyjunk)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 1:54pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/metadata-preservation-before-fresh-install/911342/1 "2025-04-02T13:54:30Z")
I just wanted to double check the steps I need to take before reinstalling Windows 11 in order to save my metadata and work I’ve done with collection within Plex. 1. All I need is to find is the Plex Media Server folder in the app data folder on my C: drive and copy the whole folder… Correct? 2. When I have reinstalled Win 11 and then Plex I just copy the backup folder into the Plex Media Sever folder created during the install… Correct? 3. I will attempt to make sure Plex is up to date before I back the folder up. I wondered though if from backing up the folder that plex was updated, would copying the backup folder from an older version cause issues? 4. Are there any steps I’m missing? 5. Does the folder I mentioned above essentially store all artwork, tv tunes, metadata etc? ---
**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 3:53pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/metadata-preservation-before-fresh-install/911342/2 "2025-04-02T15:53:59Z")
Best use this as your reference. [https://support.plex.tv/articles/201370363-move-an-install-to-another-system/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201370363-move-an-install-to-another-system/) ---
**Author:** ![rattyjunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a5b964/32.png) [@rattyjunk](https://forums.plex.tv/u/rattyjunk)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 7:34pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/metadata-preservation-before-fresh-install/911342/3 "2025-04-02T19:34:49Z")
Thank you for the link 😀 ---
**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:** [April 3, 2025, 11:24am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/metadata-preservation-before-fresh-install/911342/4 "2025-04-03T11:24:59Z")
If you have more than one hard drive storing your media, better note down which drive is currently assigned to which drive letter. Then after the fresh Windows installation, restore those drive letters to be the exact same as before. This ensures that Plex can find all media where they are noted to be in its internal database. ---
**Author:** ![rattyjunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a5b964/32.png) [@rattyjunk](https://forums.plex.tv/u/rattyjunk)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 12:13pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/metadata-preservation-before-fresh-install/911342/5 "2025-04-03T12:13:53Z")
Following the guide it mentions closing down the plex server is that adequate or do I also need to clear the plex update service as well that is running ---
**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:** [April 3, 2025, 12:59pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/metadata-preservation-before-fresh-install/911342/6 "2025-04-03T12:59:22Z")
There’s no need to care about the update service. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 1:00pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/metadata-preservation-before-fresh-install/911342/7 "2025-07-02T13:00:19Z")
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