AVG ran a scan that apparently determined the files that Plex left all over my computer were not good, thus cleaned up hidden/secret files that were not stored in an actual Plex installation folder but some nefarious cryptic ‘Program Data’ folder, thus I can no longer upgrade nor uninstall my current version. Am I stuck in a pissing contest between Microsoft, AVG, and PLEX devs? Am I stuck on version 1.1.0.2611 forever now? Is there any workaround for this that doesn’t involve rebuilding my entire library? How often am I going to need to invest time and effort into washing off the piss soaking me from this situation?
There’s nothing cryptic or nefarious about the ProgramData folder, it’s simply where (with newer versions of Windows) program data that’s not user specific is stored.
The “workaround” is to not let AVG remove legitimate program files. Indeed, I’d suggest raising this on their forums and reporting this as a bug to them.
You could also try the Microsoft Install/Uninstall Troubleshooter Fix It program which was updated this year
There is a link to the Fix It on this support page
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/202967086-Windows-Errors-trying-to-upgrade-install-or-uninstall-Plex-Media-Server
I tried the Microsoft troubleshooter; it, hilariously, wants to either install the program not yet installed, or uninstall the program currently installed, which – if I understand correctly – I should not do if I’m just upgrading Plex, as this has the potential to wipe out my entire db.
As for the advice to “not let AVG remove legitimate program files” well, I do respect your assistance and advice, but a) clearly the horses have left the barn; and, b) malware, viruses, etc., frequently mimic “legitimate” program files to work their horrible magic – that’s not just my understood knowledge, but also according to AVG, McAfee, Microsoft, Norton, Malwarebytes, etc. (in fact, they frequently mimic Antivirus programs). So please do not be offended if I footnote the advice to override AVG’s best efforts to protect my system – my hope would have been that PLEX simply would register safe with all security providers as opposed to risking my security on a guess that a folder named “MYXTG-DFASGAS-^#%^#F-HUHWHAT” is actually a required PLEX installation folder. Cheers.
Not to totally dismiss @MacGriogair’s point, but assuming I could tell AVG, Norton, etc., NOT to uninstall the required PLEX folders, how would I precisely find the information that lets me know the folders within “ProgramData,” “Package Cache,” “Installer,” etc., that should be marked as protected? I assume there is an SOP for this, which is why @MacGriogair recommended this solution? Because it is easy for Plex Pass end users to manage this?
On this support page there is a statement about deleting cache package folders
See https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/202967086-Windows-Errors-trying-to-upgrade-install-or-uninstall-Plex-Media-Server
With regards to uninstalling deleting the entire db - that should not happen. The program files area is separate from the data area and uninstalling the Plex Media Server does not remove the app data area
As far as I know, any Plex Media Server upgrade always goes through an uninstall and an install sequence
I can’t uninstall because the program has been uninstalled. Windows removed the program from my “programs and features” list. The PLEX installer does not work. I am a Plex Pass user who cannot install PLEX, nor can uninstall. So, what, I’m out many many dollars and I can go ■■■■ myself because AVG devs don’t know where PLEX installs ■■■■?
@tomorrowsman said:
I can’t uninstall because the program has been uninstalled. Windows removed the program from my “programs and features” list. The PLEX installer does not work. I am a Plex Pass user who cannot install PLEX, nor can uninstall. So, what, I’m out many many dollars and I can go **** myself because AVG devs don’t know where PLEX installs ****?
So you are saying the Microsoft Fix It fails and cannot tidy up the setup information held
Is the Plex Media Server installer looking for an old version of the product? You can zip and attach all the log files relating to the latest install attempt
You could try the free version of Revo Uninstaller - but ensure the Plex app data area is not deleted
A shame my money spent on PLEX now needs to be reinvested in hiring an SDE to understand the myriad hoops I need to jump through to get the ■■■■■■■ product I ■■■■■■■ paid for to work – the product that was working fine, and now doesn’t thanks to the last “upgrade,” because some SDEs think it’s peachy to put vital files in folders associated with you application in folders actually associate with the application, and some – like PLEX SDEs – apparently think it’s okay to make people pay money to jump down the rabbit hole of %\ProgramData% and \Installer\ folders that no end user should ever need to know exist, much less delve into.
I’m now running three third party programs to try to uninstall PLEX just so I can INSTALL the ■■■■■■■ update that hosed the application in the first place. Glad to see my hard earned dollars went to good use, paying for the hosting for this site where you could tell me I’m not a smart enough end user to use you product.
Update: The PLEX uninstaller does not work, REVO does not work, the Windows FIX does not work – you hosed the application I paid for, and so far have basically told me to go ■■■■ myself thrice if I’m not enough of a code genius to fix it. Congratulations, PLEX – you’re ready to be bought out by Apple. Good for you.
Ah, an evolution of the insanity! Now I get a new error – “The program can’t start because opencv_imgproc2411.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.”
That is SO FUNNY because a) I didn’t uninstall whateverthefuckthatis; b) the PLEX app won’t let me install anything; and c) I can’t uninstall anything to do with PLEX.
Let me guess – you’re going to tell me to reformat my entire computer, right? That’s typically the way these conversations go after the money has exchanged hands. Let’s see…yep! You got my Plex Pass money! So I guess I’m fucked on my own, is that about the sum of it? Astonishing how coincidence works, you get the money, the application stops working. Like the seasons, nothing changes with “internet” companies.
You kind of have a tone and aren’t being very nice when people try to help but I guess I’ll risk it…
Have you tried using Windows previous versions feature to get the files back:
Alternately, what error is the Plex installer throwing, specifically?
Lastly, if you want to make sure you don’t blow away your library (which the uninstall shouldn’t do) back it up before doing anything else:
I don’t think Plex puts anything critical in program data so I’m wondering if something else is at play.
Sorry if I have a tone, I’ve spent my birthday trying to unfubar a program for which I paid so it would be stable and reliable. In return my “tech support” has been emails promising nothing and, frankly, jjross doing your damndest in the face of long odds. I’m just curious, what exactly did I pay for that the piraters are doing wrong? I guess I’m feeling disenchanted with supporting whatever this is.
So it looks like the Plex installer drops some files in to the Package Cache folder. According to this:
Deleting the files from that folder will lead to installers not working correctly (that sounds like what has happened to you). Not sure if there is a workaround but maybe someone else knows?
@tomorrowsman said:
Sorry if I have a tone, I’ve spent my birthday trying to unfubar a program for which I paid so it would be stable and reliable. In return my “tech support” has been emails promising nothing and, frankly, jjross doing your damndest in the face of long odds. I’m just curious, what exactly did I pay for that the piraters are doing wrong? I guess I’m feeling disenchanted with supporting whatever this is.
I hear you. It can be super frustrating. I don’t think PlexPass offers official support though, with the exception of people being nice enough to help on the forums. It’s probably something Plex needs to review.
Regardless, can you tell me exactly what error you are seeing when you try to install and uninstall? I’m thinking you might be able to get around this if we can get the files back into the Packages folder.
Did you try the previous versions feature? Maybe a system restore?
Happy birthday.
I am sorry that your birthday has been spoilt by spending all the time to recover the Plex Media Server installation. These package cache files and installer files are important and users should not have them deleted.
Up to now the Microsoft FixIt - which was updated this year to cover windows 10 or Revo Uninstaller have rescued such situations.
@tomorrowsman said:
Ah, an evolution of the insanity! Now I get a new error – “The program can’t start because opencv_imgproc2411.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.”
When did this error occur? If it was on launching Plex Media Server then that would be understood as you no longer have a working installation after all the attempts to remove the Plex Media Server application files
Your old settings for Plex Media Server would be in this location (default)
C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server
So you could back up all this area
and together with the registry settings in
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Plex, Inc.
And try again with Revo Uninstaller to remove Plex Media Server installation after you backed up the files area and registry
Once that succeeds then install Plex Media Server.
And once up, then shut it down. Ensure all plex processes not running
Re instate backed up items
Launch Plex Media Server and hopefully will be ok now
Why do people keep saying " users should not have them deleted"? I did not “have them deleted,” and by the look of the forums since late August, I’m not the only one encountering this new problem with the sloppy lack of protection for such important installation files. I apparently need a single version of the pms-shutdown file – and this location is invalid: C:\ProgramData\Package Cache{93531277-7993-4FE6-8168-7B1C955BDADB}v1.0.2413\
Funny, there are several other folders with that blasted file, but none of those are good enough. Any idea how I can track down this version, then somehow install it – even though I can’t install PLEX – so I can then have this file available for my actual installation?
@tomorrowsman I am not sure what state the environment is now in after the failed attempts to remove Plex Media Server using Revo Uninstaller and the Microsoft Fix It - but we can try initially to concentrate on uninstalling the current version and get all the logs for it after it fails
So Try that first and zip the log files that get written to the %LocalAppData%\Temp
folder and attach here as a file attachment
@tomorrowsman said:
Why do people keep saying " users should not have them deleted"? I did not “have them deleted,” and by the look of the forums since late August, I’m not the only one encountering this new problem with the sloppy lack of protection for such important installation files. I apparently need a single version of the pms-shutdown file – and this location is invalid: C:\ProgramData\Package Cache{93531277-7993-4FE6-8168-7B1C955BDADB}v1.0.2413\
Did you try the Windows previous versions feature? I tried checking my install on those folders and I have two checkpoints / day going back weeks. It really might be as simple as a right click for you to fix this.
Previous versions of what, where? Previous versions of whatever “stopping plex” is, or the application itself, or a different hidden application? The curious thing is, why is this “stopping plex” app the big failure point when one can simply stop plex manually – can’t this be eliminated or worked around?