# Migration Questions

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/migration-questions/789283>\
**Category:** Plex Media Server\
**Tags:** server-linux\
**Created:** [April 20, 2022, 9:18pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/migration-questions/789283 "2022-04-20T21:18:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**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:** [April 20, 2022, 10:13pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/migration-questions/789283/2 "2022-04-20T22:13:58Z")

</div>

Very simple operation.

### Source machine:

1. Turn off all automatic Library settings (don’t forget to SAVE)
2. Stop Plex
3. Make the image

```auto
sudo bash
cd /var/lib/plexmediaserver
tar cf /path/to/safe/place/PlexBackup.tar ./Library

```

Transport that to the new machine.  
The reverse of that will be the base steps:

1. Install Plex
2. Stop Plex
3. cd /var/lib/plexmediaserver
4. sudo rm -rf Library
5. sudo tar xf /path/to/PlexBackup.tar
6. sudo tar chown -R plex:plex ./Library

Now follow the steps I skipped here (near the end) about adding the new locations BEFORE YOU DELETE the old locations. This is how we keep the metadata and other history.

> [@Linux Tips](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247/23):
>
> Migration from another OS to Linux Cross OS migration is a multi-level process. Copy the PMS databases and metadata Update all the media locations to point to their new locations. Prerequisites - On the originating host Settings - Server - Library Turn off: Scan my library automatically Run a partial scan when changes are detected Include music libraries in automatic scans Scan library periodically Empty trash automatically after every scan Stop Plex ZIP up the “Plex Media Server”…

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