# Steps to take before formating Windows 10? **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-windows\ **Created:** [March 28, 2020, 12:03pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/steps-to-take-before-formating-windows-10/563319 "2020-03-28T12:03:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lalumart\_hotmail.com](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/lalumart_hotmail.com/32/100578_2.png) [@lalumart\_hotmail.com](https://forums.plex.tv/u/lalumart_hotmail.com)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 12:03pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/steps-to-take-before-formating-windows-10/563319/1 "2020-03-28T12:03:32Z")
Server Version#: Latest Public Player Version#: Hi, I am having major issues with windows 10 and BSOD’s. I tried about everything so I need to do a clean install. Now, My metadata is not on the Windows drive so I don’t need to back it up. Is there a way to backup every settings, all information gathered on the application itself in Plex media server ?? I don’t want to have to set it all up again adn loose all my numbers of plays…you know, all the cool data ! Thank you so much Martin ---
**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:** [March 28, 2020, 12:19pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/steps-to-take-before-formating-windows-10/563319/2 "2020-03-28T12:19:07Z")
> [@lalumart\_hotmail.com](#): > > Now, My metadata is not on the Windows drive so I don’t need to back it up. What do you mean with “metadata” then? Or did you mean “media”? Here is a way if you have a separate hard drive for the Plex data: [Moving Metadata on Windows - #3 by OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/t/moving-metadata-on-windows/93436/3) ---
**Author:** ![lalumart\_hotmail.com](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/lalumart_hotmail.com/32/100578_2.png) [@lalumart\_hotmail.com](https://forums.plex.tv/u/lalumart_hotmail.com)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 1:02pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/steps-to-take-before-formating-windows-10/563319/3 "2020-03-28T13:02:26Z")
Hi ! My media and my metadata is already on another drive and the metadata folder in Plex points to that location so it’s not a problem. I want to know if there is a way to save all the settings for Plex Server so that when Ill reinstall windows , I won’t have to reconfigure everything. ---
**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:** [March 28, 2020, 1:13pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/steps-to-take-before-formating-windows-10/563319/4 "2020-03-28T13:13:58Z")
The majority of settings are in that Plex data folder. All that’s left to save is the Plex registry branch. > **[Backing Up Plex Media Server Data | Plex Support](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201539237-backing-up-plex-media-server-data/)** > > As conscientious computer users, we’re sure that you already make regular backups of all your data. However, there may be... Make sure that all the drives get the same drive letters on the new Windows installation as they have now. ---
**Author:** ![lalumart\_hotmail.com](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/lalumart_hotmail.com/32/100578_2.png) [@lalumart\_hotmail.com](https://forums.plex.tv/u/lalumart_hotmail.com)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 1:20pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/steps-to-take-before-formating-windows-10/563319/5 "2020-03-28T13:20:27Z")
Haaaaa great !! Thanks man !!! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2020, 1:20pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/steps-to-take-before-formating-windows-10/563319/6 "2020-06-26T13:20:36Z")
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