https://support.plex.tv/articles/201370363-move-an-install-to-another-system/
If I follow that link, will my friends “On Deck” and all that retain on their end?
Yes. But this guide can only cover the move within the same operating system.
So moving from your old Windows server to a new Windows server will work.
But moving from Windows to Mac or a Linux-powered NAS - not that easily.
No problem. I’m just going from a Windows 10 Pro to a Windows 10 Pro fresh install.
I am however installing Plex on its own D: drive SSD instead of on the C drive with the OS like it is now. That’s irrelevant right, long as I copy over all the folders from the %LOCALLAPPDATA%\Plex Media Server folder (but can exclude cache I was told) ?
Or so I just really need the metadata and media folders?
I’d first attach the SSD to the old computer (additionally to the system drive).
Then perform the plex data transfer using this guide: Moving Metadata on Windows
Then end Plex and export the Plex registry data, as explained in the guide https://support.plex.tv/articles/201370363-move-an-install-to-another-system/
From now on, Plex server must never be running again on the old machine!
(if you still want to use it as a ‘fall back’ server, you need to to some registry tweaks - but more about that later, if you need it.)
Then install Plex server on the new machine
install the SSD (make sure it has the same drive letter it had on the other machine)
make sure all the media files do also have the same drive letters and folder names like before
then shut down plex server
and import the registry data
startup plex server again
Awesome, thank you. I’ve done this once before and had endless problems due to the part where you mentioned “don’t ever start up the old server again!” Haha.
The only part I’m unsure about what you said, it’s about “(make sure it has the same drive letter it had on the other machine)”. It’s being copied from C: (os drive) to the new D: drive (Plex only SSD).
That’s why I recommend to do the transfer to the SSD on the old machine. That way you can easily switch back if something went wrong during the transfer and try again.
What type of machine is the old computer? Does it have an additional SATA connector for the SSD drive?
Yep I have a Sata controller with a few extra ports available
Here is a guide showing how to assign a certain drive letter
https://www.howtogeek.com/96298/assign-a-static-drive-letter-to-a-usb-drive-in-windows-7/
That way you can pick a drive letter for the SSD which is available both on the old and the new machine.
Oh sorry, My bad. I definitely know how to assign drive letters. I’ll read over all this tonight when I’m off work and get back to you if I have any questions. I don’t get my new setup till next week anyways. Thanks Otto
The whole point I’m thinking about doing this is because I’m getting a new motherboard cuz mine has some defective onboard Sata and USB ports. But Plex runs fine.
Maybe I just swap the board, uninstall all drivers possible via device manager, and let the system re-detect the new drivers… I always liked a clean install but I guess that’s kind of unnecessary. I just don’t know if anything else won’t function properly due to the board swap.
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