# Migration of Sonic Analysis Metadata
**URL:** https://forums.plex.tv/t/migration-of-sonic-analysis-metadata/898708
**Category:** Plex Media Server
**Tags:** server-windows, plexamp, library-management
**Created:** [December 12, 2024, 8:43pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/migration-of-sonic-analysis-metadata/898708 "2024-12-12T20:43:41Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@benusaf](https://forums.plex.tv/u/benusaf)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2024, 8:43pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/migration-of-sonic-analysis-metadata/898708/1 "2024-12-12T20:43:41Z")
Server Version#: 1.41.2.9200
Due to intermittent HD failure, I’ll be needing to reinstall my OS, which of course also means reinstalling Plex. My Libraries are on an external drive so I can easily point the new Plex install to them. However given how long the Sonic Analysis took first time around, I’m wondering where this metadata is located, and how I can make the new install know where it is. Rather than it spending a week or so performing those tasks again
Thanks Ben
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### Author:  [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2024, 11:49pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/migration-of-sonic-analysis-metadata/898708/2 "2024-12-12T23:49:11Z")
> [@benusaf](#):
>
> My Libraries are on an external drive
Are you referring to the actual media files, or to the [plex data folder](https://support.plex.tv/articles/202915258-where-is-the-plex-media-server-data-directory-located/)?
The latter stores the results of the analysis and all other Plex data as well.
The default location is on drive C:
If that is the drive that was damaged, then all your Plex data are unfortunately gone. And thus, the results of the sonic analysis as well.
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### Author:  [@benusaf](https://forums.plex.tv/u/benusaf)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2024, 12:37am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/migration-of-sonic-analysis-metadata/898708/3 "2024-12-13T00:37:34Z")
The drive failure is intermittent (likely a few bad sectors on the nvme) so I may well be able to recover that data
Is this old post of yours still valid, and the best way to go about this process?
> [@\[HowTo\] 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…
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### Author:  [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2024, 12:14pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/migration-of-sonic-analysis-metadata/898708/4 "2024-12-13T12:14:43Z")
Yes, you can use this as a guide. If your hardware allows it, dedicate a separate SSD to the [plex data folder](https://support.plex.tv/articles/202915258-where-is-the-plex-media-server-data-directory-located/).
Don’t forget to save the registry branch from the old drive.
[https://support.plex.tv/articles/201539237-backing-up-plex-media-server-data/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201539237-backing-up-plex-media-server-data/)
See to it that all media files retain their drive letters/path names – just as they were on the old OS installation.
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### Author:  [@benusaf](https://forums.plex.tv/u/benusaf)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2024, 3:02pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/migration-of-sonic-analysis-metadata/898708/5 "2024-12-13T15:02:19Z")
Thanks Otto
Much appreciated, one quick regedit and my libraries are back, more importantly my smart mixes are working on plexamp, that saves a lot of GPU time
Ben
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### Author:  [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2025, 3:02pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/migration-of-sonic-analysis-metadata/898708/6 "2025-03-13T15:02:43Z")
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