# Plex Drive Hog **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-windows\ **Created:** [March 12, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-drive-hog/699657 "2021-03-12T20:31:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nebebo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/41988e/32.png) [@nebebo](https://forums.plex.tv/u/nebebo)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-drive-hog/699657/1 "2021-03-12T20:31:15Z")
Server Version#: Player Version#: I am not sure where to post this but could use some help. I uninstalled Plex on my computer then downloaded it again and installed it on a new drive other then windows. I have the plex on its own drive but somehow my windows drive is always filling up with plex stuff. How do I make plex not use my windows drive? ---
**Author:** ![pshanew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/pshanew/32/160555_2.png) [@pshanew](https://forums.plex.tv/u/pshanew)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 8:37pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-drive-hog/699657/2 "2021-03-12T20:37:52Z")
Regardless of the drive onto which you installed Plex Media Server, it (by default) always stores its application data to %LOCALAPPDATA%, which will be located on your system (usually C:) drive. You can change this behavior by using the information in this guide (read the entirety of the first post, all the way through the addendum, before proceeding): > [@\[HowTo\] 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… ---
**Author:** ![nebebo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/41988e/32.png) [@nebebo](https://forums.plex.tv/u/nebebo)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 8:43pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-drive-hog/699657/3 "2021-03-12T20:43:05Z")
THANKS that helpped ---
**Author:** ![pshanew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/pshanew/32/160555_2.png) [@pshanew](https://forums.plex.tv/u/pshanew)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 8:48pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-drive-hog/699657/4 "2021-03-12T20:48:06Z")
No problem! ---
**Author:** ![TeknoJunky](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/teknojunky/32/165055_2.png) [@TeknoJunky](https://forums.plex.tv/u/TeknoJunky)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 8:57pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-drive-hog/699657/5 "2021-03-12T20:57:46Z")
see also > **[Why is my Plex Media Server directory so large? | Plex Support](https://support.plex.tv/articles/202529153-why-is-my-plex-media-server-directory-so-large/)** > > The Plex Media Server data directory contains nearly all the information about your server installation. This includes the database file... > **[Where is the Plex Media Server data directory located? | Plex Support](https://support.plex.tv/articles/202915258-where-is-the-plex-media-server-data-directory-located/)** > > The main Plex Media Server data directory location will vary based on your operating system. Below are the default locations.... ---
**Author:** ![nebebo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/41988e/32.png) [@nebebo](https://forums.plex.tv/u/nebebo)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-drive-hog/699657/6 "2021-04-10T17:58:35Z")
I have my plex saving now to the correct drive with your help. My question now is why is the plex Metadata so large? I have filled up a 1tb hard drive with that. All my movies are stored on a separate drive ---
**Author:** ![pshanew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/pshanew/32/160555_2.png) [@pshanew](https://forums.plex.tv/u/pshanew)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2021, 6:09pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-drive-hog/699657/7 "2021-04-10T18:09:02Z")
> [@nebebo](#): > > My question now is why is the plex Metadata so large? @TeknoJunky 's first post (right above your last) discusses a couple of the most common causes of large Plex data directories: Video preview thumbnails and sync jobs. Also, make sure these options are enabled in your server’s settings, under Settings → Scheduled Tasks: ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/3/a/3a92c1427bacee3b83db5efd0e9df4aeab321e4a.png) You can trigger the first two manually as well, under Settings → Troubleshooting. Bear in mind that that the more content you catalog in Plex, the more metadata it needs to manage. My experience has been that the new (non-legacy) Plex Movie and beta Plex TV Series are a bit more efficient in managing metadata, leaving less unused data lying around. Your mileage may vary on this, of course. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 6:09pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-drive-hog/699657/8 "2021-07-09T18:09:44Z")
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