Replacing HDD

General Discussions
1

I’m going to replace my HDD, and move all the library in the new one, bigger size.

What is the procedure? Is there any chance to avoid to rescan all library and keep same metadata?
Thanks

2

Here’s a manual way that’s worked for many:
Install the new HDD while leaving the old one in place.
Add new top level folders (i.e. Movies, TV, Music, etc) to the new drive
COPY all your media into their respective folders on the new HDD
ADD the paths to your libraries (example: Movies (3 dots) Manage Library>>Edit>>Add Libraries

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Once the new location populates the library and every movie shows 2 paths under their properties (just spot check) and there is no background tasks still running, go to the OLD HDD and change the top level folders names so they no longer match the path in plex. This will remove them from the libraries while remaining available if needed.

Scan the libraries. This should result in all the old HDD file not being found and only the new HDD files being seen with all the meta-data.
Empty the trash to clear out all the old (and bad) paths/ghost files.

You should now have all your libraries looking at the new location, all files intact with meta-data. I’d keep the old HDD in place a couple of days in case you need to hand copy some info or customizations. After that you can do whatever you want with the old HDD.

SEE:Move Media Content to a New Location | Plex Support

3

Here is a different procedure, which avoids any risk of losing metadata:

  1. Note down the current drive letter of the old hard drive
  2. add the new hard drive
  3. shut down Plex server
  4. copy all files and folders from the old to the new drive.
    Retain all folder and file names and the folder structure!
  5. swap the drive letters of old and new drive https://www.howtogeek.com/96298/assign-a-static-drive-letter-to-a-usb-drive-in-windows-7/
  6. remove the old drive
  7. start Plex server

Since the new drive has now the same drive letter and the same folder and file names as the old drive, Plex will never notice that something has changed.

1 Like
4

And adding to @OttoKerner here:

Since path doesn’t change, intro detection will not be retriggered

5

thanks all for the explanation, clear now

6

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