# Plex Server data path **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-windows\ **Created:** [April 1, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-server-data-path/836400 "2023-04-01T15:38:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ch3vr0n](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ch3vr0n/32/302251_2.png) [@Ch3vr0n](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Ch3vr0n)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-server-data-path/836400/1 "2023-04-01T15:38:56Z")
My main system crashed and in the mean time i’m using a powerful laptop. I removed the 2 plex hdd’s and connected them via docking station to the laptop. Now on 1 of the drives is the data folder "Plex Server Data\Plex Media Server" which afaik hold all the scanned data etc. Now i installed plex on the laptop, but i can’t for the life of me figure out how to tell it to use the existing media server data, which hopefully would auto recreate the movies\series directories ---
**Author:** ![VBB](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/vbb/32/333130_2.png) [@VBB](https://forums.plex.tv/u/VBB)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2023, 6:57pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-server-data-path/836400/2 "2023-04-01T18:57:24Z")
There used to be an option to set the path in the web GUI, but that was removed a long time ago. These days, you have to use the registry to do it: HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\SOFTWARE\Plex, Inc.\Plex Media Server\LocalAppDataPath ---
**Author:** ![Ch3vr0n](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ch3vr0n/32/302251_2.png) [@Ch3vr0n](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Ch3vr0n)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2023, 7:16pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-server-data-path/836400/3 "2023-04-01T19:16:53Z")
Then i did find the proper registry option through google. Such a simple function removed… Would this restore my library data in its entirety? I figure i’d just have to update the library folder paths to the ones on the now docked drives (thus changing the drive letters)? ---
**Author:** ![VBB](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/vbb/32/333130_2.png) [@VBB](https://forums.plex.tv/u/VBB)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2023, 7:18pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-server-data-path/836400/4 "2023-04-01T19:18:57Z")
It _should_ restore everything, but I haven’t done this in a long time. Let us know how it goes. And yes, you want to make absolutely sure that the paths are correct for all libraries before you run a scan. If the folders have changed, though, this might not work without rescanning everything. ---
**Author:** ![Ch3vr0n](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ch3vr0n/32/302251_2.png) [@Ch3vr0n](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Ch3vr0n)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2023, 8:32pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-server-data-path/836400/5 "2023-04-01T20:32:06Z")
Brought everything back alright. But the changed filepaths still triggered a full rescan but i guess that’s still quicker than a full file scan as i just needs to update the filepaths _edit_ scanning seems to scan for intro’s/credits too. Ah well. Better than nothing. I’ll let it run overnight, and then hope my laptop is powerful enough to stream. Don’t have any live TV so without my PMS little to watch lol… ---
**Author:** ![dbirch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f19dbf/32.png) [@dbirch](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dbirch)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2023, 10:59pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-server-data-path/836400/6 "2023-04-01T22:59:50Z")
What I would have done is ensure that both drives have the same letter as the old system. Ive had to move plex before, and that minimized issues. ---
**Author:** ![chriseast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@chriseast](https://forums.plex.tv/u/chriseast)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2023, 8:48am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-server-data-path/836400/7 "2023-04-02T08:48:50Z")
hi there, im having to do very similar but with a gas drive, and I need to more the Plex library folder which has all the metadata in to a new drive location but the media files are staying in the same location, you mention to use the registry but I don’t understand what this will entails. can you please explain thanks ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2023, 9:27am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-server-data-path/836400/8 "2023-04-02T09:27:49Z")
> [@\[HowTo\] 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/197060/1): > > 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:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2023, 9:27am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-server-data-path/836400/9 "2023-07-01T09:27:52Z")
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