Plex not in programs and features list - options

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
1

Server Version#: 1.19.5.3035
Player Version#: latest nvidia sheild

I had a problem upgrading and was advised to uninstall plex. I don’t see plex in the programs and features in control panel or in shell:AppsFolder

  1. are there any clever ways to uninstall without loosing registry and libary info? Safe boot? powershell? other?

  2. If I need to move the library, completely uninstall Plex, install Plex, and point registry at the moved Plex Media Server directory are these the best guides?
    [HowTo] An extended guide on how to move the Plex data folder on Windows
    Move an Install to Another System | Plex Support
    Uninstall Plex Media Server | Plex Support

thank you

2

Very important: Make sure there are no 3rd-party tools active on your Windows machine, like “uninstaller” software or “registry cleaners” etc.pp.
(Sometimes these even come bundled with anti-virus software, so watch out.)

Then simply empty out the program folder of Plex server, which should be in
C:\Program Files (x86)\Plex\Plex Media Server
on most systems.

Then simply download and install whichever version of Plex server you want.
The contents of the registry or the Plex data folder remain completely unaffected by this, so you won’t lose anything from your plex libraries or plex configuration.

3

Use the first link for moving the plex data folder.
If you want to reformat the system drive, make sure to back up the registry data as well.

See this thread for a bit more detail: Backing up files question - #2 by OttoKerner

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4

Otto you’re everywhere! Thanks. I assume that I would exit plex and stop the update service before deleting the plex program folder directory?

5

It can’t hurt to do so. But it’s not a major issue if you forget to do it. The service is rarely updated, so chances are if the file is still in use while running the installer, it will still succeed.

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6

Otto, when I ran the 1.21 installer it gave me a popup asking for the location of the installation package ‘pms.msi’. I tried giving it subdirectories that contained ‘pms.msi’ files under C:\ProgramData\Package Cache and each of them return another popup ‘C:…[subdirectory]’ is not a valid installation package ‘pms.msi’ in a folder from which you can install Plex Media Server’

7

Download the installer again. Don’t run it from a network file share.

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8

I downloaded the latest 1.21 to C:…\Downloads, verified it by viewing it’s certificate, and ran the installer. I received the same error messages, screenshot and log file attached.

What’s signaling the need for the msi file the registry entry or the AppData\Local\Plex Media Server directory? Should I backup the media directory, remove it and try??

Plex Media Server_20210206100209.log (21.5 KB) Capture

9

Is it possible that your antivirus is getting a hold of this msi and doesn’t let go of it?

1 Like
10

I uninstalled norton and rebooted literally the only app is my manufacturers firmware update app. I just ran the latest 1.21 installer and its giving me the 'try to find the installation package ‘pms.msi’ error message. The installer will not accept the ProgramData directories where pms.msi is found

what’s next? Delete the Plex registry entry? If the installer would just complete I could reconfigure it with drive mappings, login, etc. My big hope is to leave the local\AppData\Plex Media Server directory intact

thanks,

Plex Media Server_20210206142159.log (21.5 KB)

11

I was able to install my current version using the instructions here. I was not able to update to the latest version in the admin menus. Then, I was able to uninstall it in the control panel programs and features menu. I then installed the latest 1.21 and all of my install data is still there! Thanks, so much for your help!

1 Like
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