I had posted previously with this question, and it was answered by a team member (thanks!), but I was unable to implement properly. With COVID and other things that went on, I’m just now regaining the motivation to get this working so I am asking again, with some additional information/clarification. Original post from back in March (slightly modified) follows:
The computer I use as my Plex server has two boot drives: one personal and one for work. The Plex server is installed on a non-boot drive, and was installed while booted to my personal drive. With the ongoing home orders related to COVID-19, I’m working from home on a regular basis and spending a considerable amount of time booted to my work drive. With kids stuck at home as well, continued access to our media would be very helpful so I am thinking about solutions.
All media is stored on non-boot drives, which are accessible regardless of which copy of Windows I start. If possible, I’d like my same “server” to be accessible regardless of which instance of Windows is running (which it was suggested was possible in the response to my initial thread). Please let me know if additional information is required.
Unrequested commentary - whatever your motivation for separating Work and Personal, this would effectively undo that. Personally I think it’s a valuable separation, and if you can possibly do so, I would encourage you to keep them separated.
You would need to install Plex in both environments.
They would be independent Plex server installations, sharing a Plex data directory, sharing access to media.
To make this work, it would be important that the media be accessible over identical drive letters in each environment, or from the same network paths.
You would move the Plex data directory to a location accessible by both environments. Library configuration is stored in the data directory, and would be shared between the instances.
It would be important to update the Plex Media Server consistently in each environment. Many settings would be stored in the registry, and changes would need to be made in both environments.
If you felt like being clever, you could consider initially cloning the Plex registry keys between instances. Both instances could use the same Server ID, and there would be just one server listed on your account. The big advantage of that is that your client/player devices would just see one server ID, and wouldn’t need to switch back and forth to play things.
Thanks Volts! I think the AppData aspect was the part that I missed the first attempt.
Ideally yes, I’m wanting the same Server ID so no changes need to be made on the client side.
As for the separation, I don’t think doing what you mentioned would necessarily undo anything as both instances of Windows had access to all drives (currently 4, two boot and two for media). Initially this was just supposed to be using the “work” drive occasionally, like if I was sick but still felt able to work. With COVID and my state entering another lockdown I’ve been working from home MUCH more than I ever anticipated. I should probably double-check with my employer to see if there are other policy changes that need to be made.
