Optimizing My Plex Backup (Which Folders Are Really Needed)

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
1

Server Version#: 1.42.2.10156-f737b826c
Player Version#: 1.112.0.359-0d79a49f

I recently did a backup/restore of my entire Plex library on a fresh install of Windows 11. I copied everything over from the original Plex Media Server folder, and exported/merged the registry entries. The restore went great, and I brought back a complete 1:1 copy of everything (just as I’d left it before the new system build). So very happy that worked!

My question is, how much of the Plex Media Server folder did I really need? What I wanted was:

1) All my Plex desktop app settings restored exactly

2) All my metadata, watch history and custom art for my movie/TV collection

I feel like I only needed what was in the Media, Metadata and Plug-in Support folders + the registry file.

Am I right about that? Could I focus on even less than that to ensure I maintain this 1:1 restore in the future?

2

See PSA: Script to back up and restore Plex app data on a Windows system

3

Thanks. But I guess I should have been more clear.

When I say 1:1, I don’t mean of the Plex folder itself. I mean of MY personal setup. I want my collection and my Plex app to appear EXACTLY as it did the moment before I wiped my hard drive (to the moment I put everything back).

And I want to do that by backing up as little as possible (only the absolute necessities to do that).

So the registry file is a given. Of these folders below, do I actually need all three?

1) Media

2) Metadata

3) Plug-in Support

4

The linked script takes care of everything necessary for Plex, except the actual media files.