# New Feature - Customizable Library Scan

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/new-feature-customizable-library-scan/210366>\
**Category:** General Discussions\
**Created:** [October 16, 2017, 3:50am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/new-feature-customizable-library-scan/210366 "2017-10-16T03:50:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![tramp78](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tramp78/32/5202_2.png) [@tramp78](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tramp78)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2017, 3:50am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/new-feature-customizable-library-scan/210366/1 "2017-10-16T03:50:24Z")

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Currently if you rescan a library you add new stuff, delete stuff that is missing, and pretty much ignore a lot about anything that has changed.  
How about when you select to scarn a library you pick froma list of options what you want.

1. Simple rescan - Add new items, delete removed files
2. Metadata Scrub - Reload the metadata for everything - Option to retain art and locked fields

I’m sure there are other types of scans that would be helpful it everyone could detail them here. If nothing else it would be nice to have a music recan actually rescan the music and alter things like album names, artist names, etc.

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**Author:** ![beckfield](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/beckfield/32/7227_2.png) [@beckfield](https://forums.plex.tv/u/beckfield)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/new-feature-customizable-library-scan/210366/2 "2017-10-16T15:56:15Z")

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> @tramp78 said:
> 
> 1. Simple rescan - Add new items, delete removed files

This is exactly what the"Scan Library Files" command does.

> 1. Metadata Scrub - Reload the metadata for everything - Option to retain art and locked fields

This is what the “Refresh All Metadata” command is _supposed_ to do. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked properly in a very long time. So long, in fact, that the workaround has acquired a name, the “[Plex Dance](https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/comment/908454/#Comment_908454 "Plex Dance").” The “Dance” can be data destructive so it’s not ideal. Plex has assured us that they are working on something to fix the problem, but that assurance came about a year ago, and we haven’t seen anything yet. In discussions I’ve had with Plex employees, I am not confident that they understand the problem, or even consider it a problem.

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**Author:** ![tramp78](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tramp78/32/5202_2.png) [@tramp78](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tramp78)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/new-feature-customizable-library-scan/210366/3 "2017-10-16T17:27:53Z")

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Yeah, I understand all that. I’m just posting it again. I’m also interesting in being able to do an update that leaves the art alone. I’ve picked or downloaded lots of artwork that I prefer to the options in plex. If it really did dump and reload I’m afraid I would lose all that.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 12:00am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/new-feature-customizable-library-scan/210366/4 "2020-01-08T00:00:07Z")

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