# Windows crashed had to reinstall. can't create/delete old server **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-windows\ **Created:** [May 9, 2026, 5:52pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/windows-crashed-had-to-reinstall-cant-create-delete-old-server/938675 "2026-05-09T17:52:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CrazyDemon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@CrazyDemon](https://forums.plex.tv/u/CrazyDemon)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 5:52pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/windows-crashed-had-to-reinstall-cant-create-delete-old-server/938675/1 "2026-05-09T17:52:23Z")
Server Version#: no idea can’t access this now Player Version#:no idea can’t access this now so my windows crashed and I had to format and reinstall windows from scratch. The server isn’t listed and I’ve removed all devices and such but still no access. I’ve tried the token deal but no go again. Do I really have to make a new account just to use the server again? ---
**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:** [May 10, 2026, 3:30am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/windows-crashed-had-to-reinstall-cant-create-delete-old-server/938675/2 "2026-05-10T03:30:40Z")
> [@New Claiming Requirement for Windows](https://forums.plex.tv/t/new-claiming-requirement-for-windows/839096/1): > > Back in Plex Media Server 1.29.2, we introduced some new behavior for macOS. This behavior is now being brought to Plex Media Server for Windows starting with version 1.32.2. Servers will now, by default, need to be claimed (i.e. signed-in to a Plex account). Coinciding with this new requirement, we’re also making some changes to the process for claiming a server. Due to this, the old method of claiming a server will no longer work (simply opening the local, bundled Plex Web client will no lon… Perform it precisely as described in the article. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyDemon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@CrazyDemon](https://forums.plex.tv/u/CrazyDemon)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/windows-crashed-had-to-reinstall-cant-create-delete-old-server/938675/3 "2026-05-28T13:56:10Z")
Well I’ve done this and all it does is spins around for x amount of time never timed it. Then it says Something went wrong. Make sure the server is available and try again. Still no access to the server. Can I just delete the server and move on? ---
**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:** [May 28, 2026, 2:38pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/windows-crashed-had-to-reinstall-cant-create-delete-old-server/938675/4 "2026-05-28T14:38:48Z")
Try uninstalling it thoroughly: [https://support.plex.tv/articles/201941078-uninstall-plex-media-server/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201941078-uninstall-plex-media-server/) If you are running other apps like a Torrent client or a VPN on the same machine, stop and disable these before starting Plex server next time.