# Swap HDDs Without Rebuild Library **URL:** \ **Category:** Metadata & Adding Files\ **Tags:** server-linux\ **Created:** [July 29, 2019, 10:21am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/swap-hdds-without-rebuild-library/439126 "2019-07-29T10:21:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cliffflip](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/cliffflip/32/142407_2.png) [@cliffflip](https://forums.plex.tv/u/cliffflip)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 10:21am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/swap-hdds-without-rebuild-library/439126/1 "2019-07-29T10:21:02Z")
Hi, I’m planning to buy some, larger WDC Red HDDs to replace the currently use WDC Blue HDDs. Is there any way to copy the contents from old to new HDD and then without having to rescan the library afterwards? I’m using Fedora 30, please help 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dheneghan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@dheneghan](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dheneghan)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 11:59am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/swap-hdds-without-rebuild-library/439126/2 "2019-07-29T11:59:00Z")
Hi, The last time I upgraded my HDDs (as I was running out of space) this is the process I used. Install the new HDD - leave everything else as it was. Copy (not move) all the content from the old HDD to the new HDD. Change the Library setting to include the new folder(s) on the new HDD - Leaving the old settings as they were. Wait for Plex to rescan libraries, or force a rescan. All you movies (for example) will not show up as having multiple copies available. Once all have multiple copies available you can edit the Library settings again and remove the references to the original (old) HDD. Give a bit of time for Plex to settle - then you can remove the old HDD. All libraries should still work and your played status should stay intact. ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/swap-hdds-without-rebuild-library/439126/3 "2019-07-29T15:28:13Z")
Simple, clean, complete, fully operational when restarted as if nothing changed. > [@Back up/ Restore /clone your PMS metadata](https://forums.plex.tv/t/back-up-restore-clone-your-pms-metadata/212202): > > Backing up your PMS data involves the same steps you’ll need if you were to clone your PMS and take to a new computer, reinstall the operating system, or just want a backup for safe keeping. Stop PMS Invoke the root shell Create the backup image [chuck@lizum ~.74]$ sudo sh sh-4.4# cd /var/lib/plexmediaserver sh-4.4# tar cfz /nas/tmp/PlexBackup.tar.gz ./Library sh-4.4# ls -la /nas/tmp/PlexBackup.tar.gz -rw-r--r--. 1 root root 864050144 Oct 29 15:29 /nas/tmp/PlexBackup.tar.gz sh-4.4# Copy … Moving the media itself is this way: > [@Moving your media and keeping the metadata - The TL;DR](https://forums.plex.tv/t/moving-your-media-and-keeping-the-metadata-the-tl-dr/364699): > > Moving your media and keeping the metadata - The TL;DR This Tip / How-To, while tagged for Linux, is applicable to all PMS platforms. Preparation Turn off “Empty Trash after Library Scan” Turn off “Automatically Update my Library” Make all the moves Move your media Make any configuration changes or physical media file moving you need to. When you are done, proceed with the actual PMS configuration change Updating your PMS configruation Edit each library section - Folders - ADD the new l… ---
**Author:** ![cliffflip](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/cliffflip/32/142407_2.png) [@cliffflip](https://forums.plex.tv/u/cliffflip)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/swap-hdds-without-rebuild-library/439126/4 "2019-07-29T17:20:48Z")
Thanks for your replies! Will do as you suggested 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/swap-hdds-without-rebuild-library/439126/5 "2019-10-27T17:20:54Z")
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