# Plex is deleting videos

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-deleting-videos/808905>\
**Category:** General Discussions\
**Created:** [September 1, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-deleting-videos/808905 "2022-09-01T14:16:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![everhigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@everhigh](https://forums.plex.tv/u/everhigh)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-deleting-videos/808905/1 "2022-09-01T14:16:49Z")

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Hi all,

I’m converting videos using the ‘‘Optimize’’ setting in Plex. After the video is finished converting , I delete the original and cut/paste the converted one inside the root folder or what ever folder I’ve created. When I re scan my library, Plex ends up deleting the converted file in my Movies/Shows folders and they end up in my NAS recycle bin. What the hell ? I lost and entire 35gb series but I hadn’t notice and emptied my Qnap recycle bin. Anyone having this issue ?

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**Author:** ![drzoidberg33](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/drzoidberg33/32/4184_2.png) [@drzoidberg33](https://forums.plex.tv/u/drzoidberg33)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 2:49pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-deleting-videos/808905/2 "2022-09-01T14:49:38Z")

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Optimized versions are tied to the original file, if you remove the original the optimized version will also get removed. These versions are not intended to replace the original file.

If you want to replace files with lower quality versions rather use an external program like Handbrake to make a new copy and replace the original with that file.

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**Author:** ![everhigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@everhigh](https://forums.plex.tv/u/everhigh)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 3:08pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-deleting-videos/808905/3 "2022-09-01T15:08:09Z")

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thx for reply. kinda dumb they are tied. I found and way to not have them deleted after conversion. Cut paste them elsewhere . Delete originals. Scan again. Copy files back into Plex folders and run scan again.

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**Author:** ![Divideby0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/74df32/32.png) [@Divideby0](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Divideby0)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 4:05pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-deleting-videos/808905/4 "2022-09-01T16:05:13Z")

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That can work, if you prefer Plex’s “optimization” quality. This unties the optimized version from the original, allowing you to substitute the optimized copy in its place after Plex forgets about the original.

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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:** [November 30, 2022, 4:05pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-deleting-videos/808905/5 "2022-11-30T16:05:32Z")

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