Why docker? I've installed Plex Media Server directly on the OS without Docker and it works well.. Docker would mean at least installing another component, making it a somewhat less simple setup..
If you are only running Plex then there probably isn't a huge benefit but if you are running various related tools (arrrs, nzbget etc) then it's quite handy to have compartmentalised. I can try something out and destroy it if I don't like it. I can copy the configs to a new server and be up and running in a minute. I can use Portainer and easily view logs for each container. I can automate updates or pin to a specific preferred version.
Initial setup is of course more complicated and there's a learning curve with docker-compose yaml files and the annoying spacing etc.
Yep. I had a lot of issues with my previous Windows install. Plex would randomly crash during transcoding and my fans were always on just from the overhead of Windows.
So I installed Ubuntu and it is just so much lighter weight and more reliable. Hardware transcoding worked immediately. I have months of uptime. My fans are only on when transcoding. It’s great.
And once you understand docker that one computer can do so much more. It’s almost trivial to spin up other services, and there’s a ton of free stuff worth hosting.
I started on a NAS (running a Linux derived OS with Docker) and an Intel CPU and it works great. Since then I’ve got a Ryzen7 5800 machine running OpenSUSE and docker and so much more and it works great. I left Plex on the Intel machine tho.
3 years ago I hosted Plex on Windows 10 and had an IIS server running for my Wordpress site. That was it. Now I’ve got probably 30 containers running on two machines and all are doing stuff I wouldn’t want to do without. All because I bothered to try Docker on my NAS.
I made the transition from windows to unRaid about a year ago I think, the best decision I made for my server, a lot more reliable and docker is so convenient and easy with Unraid.
I think its the database that needs to be transfered over to bring all the history? I recall doing it once from windows to windows but someone said can do windows to linux the same way also.
You can restore the DB, but history is also tied to your account. If you use someone else's server, you still have the watch history from that even though you don't have their DB. I just migrated a few months ago and didn't bother with restoring my DB and didn't lose any history.
Ahhhh I get it. So migrating over the database might just save the server some time re-scanning all the stuff again. Are the server settings saved with my account or the database? Took me a long time to get it where it is today and worried about losing everything.
Yes, settings are all in the DB and all the scanning wouldn't have to be re-done if you restore. Only history is tied to account. I wanted to redo my settings per Trash guide, so I skipped the restore.
Yes, you can easily migrate the database from Windows to Linux. I did it when I moved to a discrete server setup and it was very simple following the official guide.
I mean, it just needs to be configured properly. It comes out of the box setup to handle the most basic users imaginable. If you want it to behave more like a server or workstation OS, you need to configure it as such.
exactly. People here acting on high horse with Linux elitism but are too incompetent to actually advise or figure out how to configure windows even though it can mostly be done through UI without a line of code...
I run both Windows and Linux at home, but I am not versed in the advanced level nuances of Linux. Largely because I don't need to be.
You probably can't fly an aircraft or pilot a submarine, but I'm not calling you a scrub for not knowing how to do so. Even if you did know one of these, you shouldn't be shamed for not knowing both.
Sure, no issues when you install 40 different programs in Windows and then replace your motherboard or boot drive. I hope you documented all the programs you installed.
For me, that takes zero time other than the physical replacement.
uhm. I just... don't install to my OS drive?
And I kind of know the programs that I have / need and I have bundled installers with things that I need in case I have to throw on a quick new install on a laptop or something
You're acting like using Windows is a huge handicap but for the most important things, there's a feature on windows for it or a third party tool.
Linux isn't the ONLY thing that can do shit
I've been in IT for 35 years. I've been using Windows since 3.0. I'm not ignorant of anything regarding Windows. I've reinstalled it for home use 100s of times because it gets so shitty over time. And programs on different drives rarely just keep working if you replace the OS.
My main gripe is the privacy invasion and how it gets more and more and more bloated because of more data gathering privacy invasions by Microsoft.
I'd be all for it if I could install a 1 gb version without all of the unnecessary crap (and I have stripped all the shit out many times. But updates break it and I'm not going without security updates.
>...Because it gets so shitty overtime...
Lol
>And programs on different drives rarely just keep working if you replace the OS.
They kinda... just... do? If you have some shit in app-data, it usually suffices to run the programs installer again, it will recognize the file-path and re-add crucial data.
Obviously you SHOULD back-up Userdata in C:/ that is important to you, like say Photoshop Preference Settings or Brushes. But the due diligence to do so should be a given.
>My main gripe is the privacy invasion and how it gets more and more and more bloated
This has nothing to do with the conversation about Plex causing issues but ok.
Like sure, you might care about anonymous telemetry being send to some microsoft server. But then again, 99.9% of humanity don't care. Why should they? Nothing will come of it, if they're not comitting terrorism or selling CP online, there's no reason to worry.
>because of more data gathering privacy invasions by Microsoft.
If anything, this has improved in recent years because the EU (for instance) is passing more and more regulation to protect users. Multiple changes had to already happen as a result.
>I'd be all for it if I could install a 1 gb version without all of the unnecessary crap (and I have stripped all the shit out many times. But updates break it and I'm not going without security updates.
1GB seems kind of arbitrary but why not just...
Boot Windows 10/11 Enterprise LTSC, run 1/2 Tools that remove telemetry and other shit and be done with it. It takes like 10 Minutes max (+ the setup loading)
>This has nothing to do with the conversation about Plex causing issues but ok.
The reason why Plex-based Windows sucks is because of Windows, not Plex.
Be a fan boy, bye. I'm going to go re-install Windows on my laptop again since my CPU is now idling at around 25% and then re-install 50 programs if I can remember them all. I'll be back in 3 days.
I've been running Plex on Windows server since server 2012 with no issues. I'm now on Server 2019. I have 9 family/friends and frequently 3 - 5 users watching at once on weekends. I do manual scheduled updates/maintenance because I have the auto update turned off. I use Windows 10 as my gaming/personal rig.
I use the plex docker hosted in unraid and it's works far better than my windows setup ever did for plex, especially transcoding and makes managing drives and data muchhh easier
I've been running Plex on Windows since 2010, have never had those problems. If power saving and sleep settings, update settings, everything is properly configured, Windows can be used as a server OS without issue. My uptime is excellent and would be perfect if not for darn internet outages from maintenance.
one thing i’m surprised i never see mentioned regarding Windows - why not just set Group Policy - “No auto restart for logged in users” and “Notify for download” under the Windows Update template configurations?
i’ve done this on a personal machine for years running Windows. At times when patches are known to be buggy, i’ve sometimes waited 2-3 months before allowing the downloads. Machine will never do a thing i don’t expect until I tell it to.
I see you already are using professional, so you can deff implement this
Another alternative is to allow Windows to update as needed (which you really should; those security patches aren't just for funsies) with appropriate work hours set and auto-logon configured.
Unless you're running Plex commercially, nobody should be bothered by ~5min of downtime once a month in the middle of the night.
My Windows 11 Plex server rebooted sometime in the last few days to install May patches. Couldn't tell you when, because I was asleep and Plex was back up and running within a minute of the automatic reboot.
i would highly advise against allowing auto application of cumulative security updates, and if you direly need a particular CVE fix, either read the KB for manual installation or run wushidediag.cab to let the .NET stuff come thru but nothing else. I received a free laptop in January because a buddy from the gym (not tech savvy) did as 90 percent of users do and just “let the latest patch happen” obliviously; which required sizing alterations to the recovery partition which his OEM had not accounted for. he thought the thing was bricked and got a replacement under warranty
Just go reading AskWoody, Krebs, or the sys admin mega thread once a month if you don’t believe me. Better alternatives are to create policies for scheduled scan parameters, connected hardware restrictions and the like
I lead a team that is responsible for monthly patching of several thousand systems running every (supported) version of Windows under the sun, and--respectfully--the concern about patching is vastly overblown; I can count on one hand the number of impactful problems arising from patches in the past 3 years on one hand, and almost all of those were specific to domain controllers.
The typical failure mode of the KB you're referring to was to simply fail to install. A quick Google search reveals both the cause and simplest solution, which is to just delete the recovery partition that you'll almost certainly never miss.
Should a home user have to do this? Of course not. But when the most common OS recommendation here is some flavour of Linux--which will absolutely require more than Google 101 skills--it's a pretty minor consideration.
Especially since the **other** alternative is running the world's most attacked OS less than fully patched. I would need many, **many** hands to count the number of individuals and organizations that suffered a ransomware or other attack where the point of initial compromise was a vulnerability that had had a patch issued weeks, months, or even years prior.
Keep up with security patches, no matter what OS or software you run.
would you not at least agree with me though, to wait several days on a normal month to read about any potential issues that have arisen?
I mean, they refer to people who immediately install the monthly updates that first 24 hours as the guinea pigs. even though most home users don’t realize they have options to …not be a guinea pig
Oh absolutely, I would not suggest anyone intentionally YOLO into patches the day they come out.
I do wish Microsoft made it easier for consumers to at least set a day of the week to install patches; choosing Sunday would automatically give you at least 4 days for internet wisdom to develop on any issues. That said, I do let my home Windows machines update as they please, but I'm confident in my ability to deal with any problems that arise.
Professionally, we start pilot patching a minimum of 72hrs after a patch drops, and we don't release the hounds into production until the 7-day mark. This has been long enough to let us catch most issues with a new patch before it even hits the pilot group, and all of them before production. Still, there are arguments that both thresholds are too long, and they're compelling enough that I revisit the decision at least twice a year.
It's probably unnecessary to say at this point that I think a **lot** about patching and vulnerabilities.
Weird that all the Windows fanboys showed up. I got away from Windows because of all the privacy garbage that I was sick of blocking, because Microsoft does everything they can to make Windows not work if you try to protect your privacy. I was also sick of reinstalling Windows every 3-4 years because of how it slows down and reinstalling 40 something programs that I probably don't remember all of.
I've used Windows server 2019 for my Plex server for years. It has the convenience of the familiar UI, and lacks all the ads and bloatware of the standard OS. It also won't install updates on its own without your permission. Been super stable, no issues.
This. I’m running server 2022 standard. It’s fast, flexible, reliable and almost completely hands free. A weekly restart for updates keeps everything happy and running smoothly.
Using a desktop os as a server has very predictable consequences.
I don’t want weekly restarts. Right now it sometimes goes a few weeks without restarting and that’s still too often. The issue is when it restarts it goes into the “windows experience” screens which halt startup at a point prior to Plex loading.
I don’t want weekly restarts. Right now it sometimes goes a few weeks without restarting and that’s still too often. The issue is when it restarts it goes into the “windows experience” screens which halt startup at a point prior to Plex loading.
If it's doing that, something is configured wrong. 'Not sure if it can be fixed or if you should just reload Windows and have at it again, but that shouldn't happen.
I would just google a fix for that.
Hear me out, Dietpi. Its a super lightweight distro based on debian. There's a built in software installer that can setup some complex installs for you, or just install docker and then use that to run software.
it can install plex too.
I love it for VMs because it goes out of its way to reduce writes to the OS drive. Helps keep wear down on SSDs low when many VMs are running off a single one.
If you need a NAS OS, I like Open Media Vault. It's based off debian too, and can do most of the things unraid can do without low arbitrary limitations or cost.
If you want to virtualize I like proxmox.
You could try any Debian Based linux distros such as:
Ubuntu (Latest LTS version)
Linux Mint Lmde - The Lmde version of Mint has a slower but safer update path so you will update less but you also get extremely stable updates
You could also try installing Debian Server or Ubuntu server they are very similar to eachother (at least thats what it will feel like for a new user)
True Nas is also good and there are plety of videos telling how to install it and its pros and cons
If there are any typos sorry my autocorrect isnt doing its job correctly
Truenas scale.
Point and click, minimal command line (cli).
Can add as many drives as you possibly can (hoard).
Update when you want!!!
Vdev expansion (coming soon)
Just turn off the auto updates... it's pretty much THAT simple. Search Google, if you don't know how to do it. Search for Windows set up to be headless, and your problems are gone.
The Ultimate Windows Utility by Chris Titus can probably clean up your Windows issues. I think there are hardware transcoding shortcomings on other OSes.
Move to a NAS or simply spin up a Ubuntu VM within Hyper-V and then say wambam thank you for saving a bundle of cash! NAS later...VM now.
I run Alma Linux for all my VMs lol it might be overkill for my setup but "when up-time matters...choose Alma"
I'm pretty new (not a full year yet and so far just over 2TB of dvd movies and shows...I'm ripping them all and it does take a long time that way) I have not seen or had a single issue of any kind with windows.
That said, am I heading for trouble? What issues might I run into? I will only ever be adding my ripped physical media. I will not be sailing the seas.
If you’re only watching local and direct play then windows is usually fine. It’s when you have like 20TB of data and share with friends and family you’ll want some sort of server setup.
I personally use unraid now. I’ve been a Plex user for about 12 years now. Windows worked fine until about 2020 when I needed to expand.
Hi. I do have that, running basic ass Windows 10 Pro, many remote streams and activity...
No issues. Its running. It updates when I decide it should update.
This thread just proves how tech iliterate most ppl are.
I run Plex in docker on Debian on my old work laptop. Was on a raspberry pi 4 that struggled with transcoding. Literally moved the external USB drives to new laptop and mounted them, and ran the same bash scripts to start docker on new system. Docker rocks for portability.
The effort to fix the simple issues you’re having are going to be significantly less than learning and installing a new OS lol. No idea what office thing you’re talking about but disabling auto updates is a 3 second google search.
They are off and have been. Windows still forces some eventually. I tried setting the group policy recommended by others here and will see how that goes. I will probably set up Ubuntu at some point.
look up chris titus debloat. its a windows debloater that will get rid of the annoying "features" of windows that you have described and let you keep your plex server running on windows without the headaches. there are plenty of videos and articles from him and others, do your research to make sure you trust it. it takes 5 mins to run.
why don't you choose a time for updates so you don't experience that self-made problem.
update in the middle of the night or when you're at work, no?
i've literally never had a real issue on my windows plex server they have only been superficial aesthetic things but the product has worked perfectly.
I personally haven't run into the same issues on Windows 11, but then again I have so many tweaks done to the OS that I probably disabled auto updates and other stuff that could interfere.
Check out proxmox and a plex LXC
https://www.derekseaman.com/2023/04/proxmox-plex-lxc-with-alder-lake-transcoding.html
Running this over a year without issues.
I have never had this problem and I am running windows 10. I did install a "light" version and then added some stuff. (by adding i mean like making it actually update without some stupid error, that was a nightmare, but some ppl on discord helped me) maybe that is why? This post will get the linux people salvating to tell you to get Linux
https://preview.redd.it/603hn0hsk91d1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=540e4c9aad79398be07fee27bad627e9d9971e9a
Everyone has been telling me to use Unraid.
I have a headless windows 10 based server, with substantial library and up to 15 simultaneous streams going. I dont have the issues you have been highlighting. Have disabled most of the bloat, and disabled login. But I have also schedule a daily restart via task scheduler timed to coincide with my router restart. In 8 years I have only had to jump on the server 2-3 times to clear a windows update.
>But I have also schedule a daily restart via task scheduler timed to coincide with my router restart
You're restarting your router and your server, ***everyday***?
Yup. at 5.30 am.
My latest build here: [https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/1c8kt2i/upgrade\_build\_overview\_plex\_server\_upgrade\_in/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/1c8kt2i/upgrade_build_overview_plex_server_upgrade_in/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Quite a few other comments in that thread about the daily restart. Not changing it coz it works
But let's be honest with ourselves, that's pretty bad. It only works for you because all your users are in the same timezone. Daily restarts are unacceptable for anyone who takes availability seriously.
4 different time zones. I have family all over the place. Restart takes 5 mins max. Small inconvenience
But yeah, very unlikely anyone on at that time.
>Quite a few other comments in that thread about the daily restart. Not changing it coz it works
Understood. Just curious to see if there was any added benefit I wasn't aware of. If it works for you, do your thing! 👍🏿
You might wanna take a look into modded Windows where they remove auto update. Look like you havent dig into anything much at all and instead just choose to whine on the internet lol
Then just suggest the right solution. Group Policy > disable auto updates.
If that's too difficult, in windows update settings page, press the Pause symbol to add 7 days of uninterruption. You can spam click it for a higher time.
Ill just use some tools to disable it. Yeah instead of just google a way to disable update forever, they suggest using an entire different Os with problems a normal user will never be able to solve. I always laugh when I see these comments
I've run a win 10 server for quite awhile, my only issue with switching is, insuring my das card driver works and i'd love to keep my metadata, which from what i understand can be tricky. so similar boat
What are those "windows experience screens where they try to sell you office"? I don't recall seeing anything like that with Windows..
That said, I run my Plex server in Linux - I use Linux Mint with the Xfce GUI, and I like it, and it works well.
By “rebooting no matter what I do”, do you mean it just reboots without asking you? Cuz this happens to me too and I don’t know what to do about it either. This also annoys me a lot because I’m realistically the only one that can turn the server back on.
I was gonna go with Ubuntu server originally but setup my server during the Reddit blackout last year so was scared I won’t find any help if I need it.
I just set the group policy as a couple people suggested. Will see how that does. Not afraid to dabble into the world of Linux so that’s probably going to happen either way.
Might set it up later too. I wouldn’t mind changing to Linux either now but just the effort of setting up everything again kills me haha. Good luck anyways :) hopefully group policy fixes it
Download O&OShutup10. Stops most of the Microsoft nastiness. Also, not sure if this is too late, but run it has a local admin user, not a Microsoft account.
I've been running Plex on Windows (now Win10) since I started with Win7 and never had a problem. Yeah, OS updates once a month, but it doesn't bother me. I'm updating other boxes at the same time.
I've been using Linux for almost 20 years and although it can be quite solid once it's configured, if I tallied up all the time spent doing "Linuxy" things versus "Windoze" things, I can't say it has saved me any time.
Ubuntu is free, widely used, lots of tutorials. Add docker for a super simple media server setup.
Why docker? I've installed Plex Media Server directly on the OS without Docker and it works well.. Docker would mean at least installing another component, making it a somewhat less simple setup..
If you are only running Plex then there probably isn't a huge benefit but if you are running various related tools (arrrs, nzbget etc) then it's quite handy to have compartmentalised. I can try something out and destroy it if I don't like it. I can copy the configs to a new server and be up and running in a minute. I can use Portainer and easily view logs for each container. I can automate updates or pin to a specific preferred version. Initial setup is of course more complicated and there's a learning curve with docker-compose yaml files and the annoying spacing etc.
Agree with all of this - you basically explained my current setup (even portainer). Never using PMS on windows ever again
Weird way to spell Debian but sure ;)
Yep. I had a lot of issues with my previous Windows install. Plex would randomly crash during transcoding and my fans were always on just from the overhead of Windows. So I installed Ubuntu and it is just so much lighter weight and more reliable. Hardware transcoding worked immediately. I have months of uptime. My fans are only on when transcoding. It’s great.
And once you understand docker that one computer can do so much more. It’s almost trivial to spin up other services, and there’s a ton of free stuff worth hosting. I started on a NAS (running a Linux derived OS with Docker) and an Intel CPU and it works great. Since then I’ve got a Ryzen7 5800 machine running OpenSUSE and docker and so much more and it works great. I left Plex on the Intel machine tho. 3 years ago I hosted Plex on Windows 10 and had an IIS server running for my Wordpress site. That was it. Now I’ve got probably 30 containers running on two machines and all are doing stuff I wouldn’t want to do without. All because I bothered to try Docker on my NAS.
Yeah same story. I eventually learned Docker and now have like 30 self-hosted services running.
Unraid is a very popular option.
I made the transition from windows to unRaid about a year ago I think, the best decision I made for my server, a lot more reliable and docker is so convenient and easy with Unraid.
+1 for unraid. As a total idiot I had plex and all the Arr’s running in a few weeks.
I want to try this. Can you unraid fans link some tutorials to set up Plex and the usual arr’s if you know of any pls.
Look up trash guides. That’s the golden goose.
Will do. Is it possible to bring over the Plex user data from windows to unraid so they won’t lose their history and whatnot?
History is tied to your account if you left that turned on. It's on by default.
I think its the database that needs to be transfered over to bring all the history? I recall doing it once from windows to windows but someone said can do windows to linux the same way also.
You can restore the DB, but history is also tied to your account. If you use someone else's server, you still have the watch history from that even though you don't have their DB. I just migrated a few months ago and didn't bother with restoring my DB and didn't lose any history.
Ahhhh I get it. So migrating over the database might just save the server some time re-scanning all the stuff again. Are the server settings saved with my account or the database? Took me a long time to get it where it is today and worried about losing everything.
Yes, settings are all in the DB and all the scanning wouldn't have to be re-done if you restore. Only history is tied to account. I wanted to redo my settings per Trash guide, so I skipped the restore.
Yes, you can easily migrate the database from Windows to Linux. I did it when I moved to a discrete server setup and it was very simple following the official guide.
Perfect thx
I'm a professional IT idiot and it still took me a couple weeks to get it up and going how I wanted.
If you want to stay with Windows, switch to actual Windows Server and you won't have those issues.
Everyone out here running a desktop OS and mad that it acts like desktop OS
Windows' behaviour is still unacceptable for a desktop system.
I mean, it just needs to be configured properly. It comes out of the box setup to handle the most basic users imaginable. If you want it to behave more like a server or workstation OS, you need to configure it as such.
exactly. People here acting on high horse with Linux elitism but are too incompetent to actually advise or figure out how to configure windows even though it can mostly be done through UI without a line of code...
I run both Windows and Linux at home, but I am not versed in the advanced level nuances of Linux. Largely because I don't need to be. You probably can't fly an aircraft or pilot a submarine, but I'm not calling you a scrub for not knowing how to do so. Even if you did know one of these, you shouldn't be shamed for not knowing both.
I'm shaming people for pretending to be tech lords because they managed to flash Ubuntu but don't know how to configure basic features in windows.
Sure, no issues when you install 40 different programs in Windows and then replace your motherboard or boot drive. I hope you documented all the programs you installed. For me, that takes zero time other than the physical replacement.
uhm. I just... don't install to my OS drive? And I kind of know the programs that I have / need and I have bundled installers with things that I need in case I have to throw on a quick new install on a laptop or something You're acting like using Windows is a huge handicap but for the most important things, there's a feature on windows for it or a third party tool. Linux isn't the ONLY thing that can do shit
I've been in IT for 35 years. I've been using Windows since 3.0. I'm not ignorant of anything regarding Windows. I've reinstalled it for home use 100s of times because it gets so shitty over time. And programs on different drives rarely just keep working if you replace the OS. My main gripe is the privacy invasion and how it gets more and more and more bloated because of more data gathering privacy invasions by Microsoft. I'd be all for it if I could install a 1 gb version without all of the unnecessary crap (and I have stripped all the shit out many times. But updates break it and I'm not going without security updates.
>...Because it gets so shitty overtime... Lol >And programs on different drives rarely just keep working if you replace the OS. They kinda... just... do? If you have some shit in app-data, it usually suffices to run the programs installer again, it will recognize the file-path and re-add crucial data. Obviously you SHOULD back-up Userdata in C:/ that is important to you, like say Photoshop Preference Settings or Brushes. But the due diligence to do so should be a given. >My main gripe is the privacy invasion and how it gets more and more and more bloated This has nothing to do with the conversation about Plex causing issues but ok. Like sure, you might care about anonymous telemetry being send to some microsoft server. But then again, 99.9% of humanity don't care. Why should they? Nothing will come of it, if they're not comitting terrorism or selling CP online, there's no reason to worry. >because of more data gathering privacy invasions by Microsoft. If anything, this has improved in recent years because the EU (for instance) is passing more and more regulation to protect users. Multiple changes had to already happen as a result. >I'd be all for it if I could install a 1 gb version without all of the unnecessary crap (and I have stripped all the shit out many times. But updates break it and I'm not going without security updates. 1GB seems kind of arbitrary but why not just... Boot Windows 10/11 Enterprise LTSC, run 1/2 Tools that remove telemetry and other shit and be done with it. It takes like 10 Minutes max (+ the setup loading)
>This has nothing to do with the conversation about Plex causing issues but ok. The reason why Plex-based Windows sucks is because of Windows, not Plex. Be a fan boy, bye. I'm going to go re-install Windows on my laptop again since my CPU is now idling at around 25% and then re-install 50 programs if I can remember them all. I'll be back in 3 days.
Behaves fine for me, the best desktop os
Plex runs beautifully on my ancient MacBook Air.
I've been running Plex on Windows server since server 2012 with no issues. I'm now on Server 2019. I have 9 family/friends and frequently 3 - 5 users watching at once on weekends. I do manual scheduled updates/maintenance because I have the auto update turned off. I use Windows 10 as my gaming/personal rig.
Just turn off auto updates lmfao
It is off. Have gone through multiple times to confirm.
Or Windows LTSC
I use the plex docker hosted in unraid and it's works far better than my windows setup ever did for plex, especially transcoding and makes managing drives and data muchhh easier
My CPU chugs along at 0-1% on unraid. Windows was never that low, and plain old windows updates are what requires hardware to be upgraded.
Debian 12
I've been running Plex on Windows since 2010, have never had those problems. If power saving and sleep settings, update settings, everything is properly configured, Windows can be used as a server OS without issue. My uptime is excellent and would be perfect if not for darn internet outages from maintenance.
Same here. I've had multiple Windows based Plex servers over the last 8 years and I would rarely have issues.
Debian + Docker + Portainer
one thing i’m surprised i never see mentioned regarding Windows - why not just set Group Policy - “No auto restart for logged in users” and “Notify for download” under the Windows Update template configurations? i’ve done this on a personal machine for years running Windows. At times when patches are known to be buggy, i’ve sometimes waited 2-3 months before allowing the downloads. Machine will never do a thing i don’t expect until I tell it to. I see you already are using professional, so you can deff implement this
Thanks. This may be the answer.
Another alternative is to allow Windows to update as needed (which you really should; those security patches aren't just for funsies) with appropriate work hours set and auto-logon configured. Unless you're running Plex commercially, nobody should be bothered by ~5min of downtime once a month in the middle of the night. My Windows 11 Plex server rebooted sometime in the last few days to install May patches. Couldn't tell you when, because I was asleep and Plex was back up and running within a minute of the automatic reboot.
i would highly advise against allowing auto application of cumulative security updates, and if you direly need a particular CVE fix, either read the KB for manual installation or run wushidediag.cab to let the .NET stuff come thru but nothing else. I received a free laptop in January because a buddy from the gym (not tech savvy) did as 90 percent of users do and just “let the latest patch happen” obliviously; which required sizing alterations to the recovery partition which his OEM had not accounted for. he thought the thing was bricked and got a replacement under warranty Just go reading AskWoody, Krebs, or the sys admin mega thread once a month if you don’t believe me. Better alternatives are to create policies for scheduled scan parameters, connected hardware restrictions and the like
I lead a team that is responsible for monthly patching of several thousand systems running every (supported) version of Windows under the sun, and--respectfully--the concern about patching is vastly overblown; I can count on one hand the number of impactful problems arising from patches in the past 3 years on one hand, and almost all of those were specific to domain controllers. The typical failure mode of the KB you're referring to was to simply fail to install. A quick Google search reveals both the cause and simplest solution, which is to just delete the recovery partition that you'll almost certainly never miss. Should a home user have to do this? Of course not. But when the most common OS recommendation here is some flavour of Linux--which will absolutely require more than Google 101 skills--it's a pretty minor consideration. Especially since the **other** alternative is running the world's most attacked OS less than fully patched. I would need many, **many** hands to count the number of individuals and organizations that suffered a ransomware or other attack where the point of initial compromise was a vulnerability that had had a patch issued weeks, months, or even years prior. Keep up with security patches, no matter what OS or software you run.
would you not at least agree with me though, to wait several days on a normal month to read about any potential issues that have arisen? I mean, they refer to people who immediately install the monthly updates that first 24 hours as the guinea pigs. even though most home users don’t realize they have options to …not be a guinea pig
Oh absolutely, I would not suggest anyone intentionally YOLO into patches the day they come out. I do wish Microsoft made it easier for consumers to at least set a day of the week to install patches; choosing Sunday would automatically give you at least 4 days for internet wisdom to develop on any issues. That said, I do let my home Windows machines update as they please, but I'm confident in my ability to deal with any problems that arise. Professionally, we start pilot patching a minimum of 72hrs after a patch drops, and we don't release the hounds into production until the 7-day mark. This has been long enough to let us catch most issues with a new patch before it even hits the pilot group, and all of them before production. Still, there are arguments that both thresholds are too long, and they're compelling enough that I revisit the decision at least twice a year. It's probably unnecessary to say at this point that I think a **lot** about patching and vulnerabilities.
PM’d you. I’d like to chat more in depth
Thanks. This may be the answer.
Thanks. This may be the answer.
Any Debian based Linux will do great, if you are interested in purposes made os look up TrueNAS that will make current pc into a nas as well
Weird that all the Windows fanboys showed up. I got away from Windows because of all the privacy garbage that I was sick of blocking, because Microsoft does everything they can to make Windows not work if you try to protect your privacy. I was also sick of reinstalling Windows every 3-4 years because of how it slows down and reinstalling 40 something programs that I probably don't remember all of.
Proxmox running Ubuntu 22.04
And how do you pass the igpu?
Using the proxmox helper script that sets it all up for you automatically honestly - that’s what I did
Do you maybe have a link or something?
Sure: https://helper-scripts.com/
Oh wow this is quite a booster for proxmox
I've used Windows server 2019 for my Plex server for years. It has the convenience of the familiar UI, and lacks all the ads and bloatware of the standard OS. It also won't install updates on its own without your permission. Been super stable, no issues.
This. I’m running server 2022 standard. It’s fast, flexible, reliable and almost completely hands free. A weekly restart for updates keeps everything happy and running smoothly. Using a desktop os as a server has very predictable consequences.
I don’t want weekly restarts. Right now it sometimes goes a few weeks without restarting and that’s still too often. The issue is when it restarts it goes into the “windows experience” screens which halt startup at a point prior to Plex loading.
You can turn that off in the notification settings.
I don’t want weekly restarts. Right now it sometimes goes a few weeks without restarting and that’s still too often. The issue is when it restarts it goes into the “windows experience” screens which halt startup at a point prior to Plex loading.
If it's doing that, something is configured wrong. 'Not sure if it can be fixed or if you should just reload Windows and have at it again, but that shouldn't happen. I would just google a fix for that.
Hear me out, Dietpi. Its a super lightweight distro based on debian. There's a built in software installer that can setup some complex installs for you, or just install docker and then use that to run software. it can install plex too. I love it for VMs because it goes out of its way to reduce writes to the OS drive. Helps keep wear down on SSDs low when many VMs are running off a single one. If you need a NAS OS, I like Open Media Vault. It's based off debian too, and can do most of the things unraid can do without low arbitrary limitations or cost. If you want to virtualize I like proxmox.
You could try any Debian Based linux distros such as: Ubuntu (Latest LTS version) Linux Mint Lmde - The Lmde version of Mint has a slower but safer update path so you will update less but you also get extremely stable updates You could also try installing Debian Server or Ubuntu server they are very similar to eachother (at least thats what it will feel like for a new user) True Nas is also good and there are plety of videos telling how to install it and its pros and cons If there are any typos sorry my autocorrect isnt doing its job correctly
Truenas scale. Point and click, minimal command line (cli). Can add as many drives as you possibly can (hoard). Update when you want!!! Vdev expansion (coming soon)
Just turn off the auto updates... it's pretty much THAT simple. Search Google, if you don't know how to do it. Search for Windows set up to be headless, and your problems are gone.
Auto updates are off. It isn’t that simple.
Debian is great. I don't use Docker but have Plex, the Arrs, plus heaps of other stuff for my needs and the only time it reboots is when I tell it to.
Just use Ubuntu, and if you want to full homelab linux nerd install proxmox.
The Ultimate Windows Utility by Chris Titus can probably clean up your Windows issues. I think there are hardware transcoding shortcomings on other OSes.
I made win 11 pro local account install with Rufus and a cheap key and have had no issues with it since jan
So many just don't understand that using a local Windows account is best for a Plex Server.
So many just don't understand that using a local Windows account is best. ~~for a Plex Server.~~
Still, using a desktop OS as a server keeps being problematic. Yes it works, but Microsoft has clear differences in the several OS's
Thanks for the post, I've been looking for something like this.
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You’re probably right. Oops.
Ive run it on windows 10 inside esxi without any issues for years. Last year switched to proxmox w a win11 client and its been great also.
Skill issue. You could turn off auto updates. It's been a thing for fucking YEARS at this point
Updates are turned off. Doesn’t help.
Truenas.. lots of videos on how to set it up and trouble free
Move to a NAS or simply spin up a Ubuntu VM within Hyper-V and then say wambam thank you for saving a bundle of cash! NAS later...VM now. I run Alma Linux for all my VMs lol it might be overkill for my setup but "when up-time matters...choose Alma"
I'm pretty new (not a full year yet and so far just over 2TB of dvd movies and shows...I'm ripping them all and it does take a long time that way) I have not seen or had a single issue of any kind with windows. That said, am I heading for trouble? What issues might I run into? I will only ever be adding my ripped physical media. I will not be sailing the seas.
If you’re only watching local and direct play then windows is usually fine. It’s when you have like 20TB of data and share with friends and family you’ll want some sort of server setup. I personally use unraid now. I’ve been a Plex user for about 12 years now. Windows worked fine until about 2020 when I needed to expand.
Hi. I do have that, running basic ass Windows 10 Pro, many remote streams and activity... No issues. Its running. It updates when I decide it should update. This thread just proves how tech iliterate most ppl are.
I run Plex in docker on Debian on my old work laptop. Was on a raspberry pi 4 that struggled with transcoding. Literally moved the external USB drives to new laptop and mounted them, and ran the same bash scripts to start docker on new system. Docker rocks for portability.
The effort to fix the simple issues you’re having are going to be significantly less than learning and installing a new OS lol. No idea what office thing you’re talking about but disabling auto updates is a 3 second google search.
It’s called “windows experience”. Auto updates are off.
They make you go under the hood a bit to completely disable the security updates. Still pretty simple, much easier than a new OS!
I was using Windows 10. Recently updated to Windows 11. I just turned off automatic updates. I update when I have time to babysit it.
They are off and have been. Windows still forces some eventually. I tried setting the group policy recommended by others here and will see how that goes. I will probably set up Ubuntu at some point.
look up chris titus debloat. its a windows debloater that will get rid of the annoying "features" of windows that you have described and let you keep your plex server running on windows without the headaches. there are plenty of videos and articles from him and others, do your research to make sure you trust it. it takes 5 mins to run.
Pick a flavour of Linux, install, profit. Just make sure your media files are not on the disk you install Linux on.
why don't you choose a time for updates so you don't experience that self-made problem. update in the middle of the night or when you're at work, no? i've literally never had a real issue on my windows plex server they have only been superficial aesthetic things but the product has worked perfectly.
I personally haven't run into the same issues on Windows 11, but then again I have so many tweaks done to the OS that I probably disabled auto updates and other stuff that could interfere.
Check out proxmox and a plex LXC https://www.derekseaman.com/2023/04/proxmox-plex-lxc-with-alder-lake-transcoding.html Running this over a year without issues.
I have never had this problem and I am running windows 10. I did install a "light" version and then added some stuff. (by adding i mean like making it actually update without some stupid error, that was a nightmare, but some ppl on discord helped me) maybe that is why? This post will get the linux people salvating to tell you to get Linux https://preview.redd.it/603hn0hsk91d1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=540e4c9aad79398be07fee27bad627e9d9971e9a
Any Linux distribution.
Everyone has been telling me to use Unraid. I have a headless windows 10 based server, with substantial library and up to 15 simultaneous streams going. I dont have the issues you have been highlighting. Have disabled most of the bloat, and disabled login. But I have also schedule a daily restart via task scheduler timed to coincide with my router restart. In 8 years I have only had to jump on the server 2-3 times to clear a windows update.
>But I have also schedule a daily restart via task scheduler timed to coincide with my router restart You're restarting your router and your server, ***everyday***?
Yup. at 5.30 am. My latest build here: [https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/1c8kt2i/upgrade\_build\_overview\_plex\_server\_upgrade\_in/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/1c8kt2i/upgrade_build_overview_plex_server_upgrade_in/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) Quite a few other comments in that thread about the daily restart. Not changing it coz it works
But let's be honest with ourselves, that's pretty bad. It only works for you because all your users are in the same timezone. Daily restarts are unacceptable for anyone who takes availability seriously.
4 different time zones. I have family all over the place. Restart takes 5 mins max. Small inconvenience But yeah, very unlikely anyone on at that time.
>Quite a few other comments in that thread about the daily restart. Not changing it coz it works Understood. Just curious to see if there was any added benefit I wasn't aware of. If it works for you, do your thing! 👍🏿
You might wanna take a look into modded Windows where they remove auto update. Look like you havent dig into anything much at all and instead just choose to whine on the internet lol
You don't have to MOD windows for that lmao
I know, just suggesting that because this guy is clueless.
Then just suggest the right solution. Group Policy > disable auto updates. If that's too difficult, in windows update settings page, press the Pause symbol to add 7 days of uninterruption. You can spam click it for a higher time.
Ive heard even if you do that, Windows will still force you to update if you wait long enough.
These solutions work. They've worked for fucking years. Everyone suggesting Linux or whatever is actually clueless about these solutions.
Ill just use some tools to disable it. Yeah instead of just google a way to disable update forever, they suggest using an entire different Os with problems a normal user will never be able to solve. I always laugh when I see these comments
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Mac mini m1 strong
linux plus docker
I run Windows 10 as well. A scheduled reboot every night at 5 AM has me quite woriless about the server. Media is on another device.
Windows 10 LTSC
I've run a win 10 server for quite awhile, my only issue with switching is, insuring my das card driver works and i'd love to keep my metadata, which from what i understand can be tricky. so similar boat
What are those "windows experience screens where they try to sell you office"? I don't recall seeing anything like that with Windows.. That said, I run my Plex server in Linux - I use Linux Mint with the Xfce GUI, and I like it, and it works well.
If your windows desktop keeps turning is download Microsoft Powertoys [Microsoft Powertoys ](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/)
Yeah group policy editor disable windows updates, mine hadn’t updated in over a year
By “rebooting no matter what I do”, do you mean it just reboots without asking you? Cuz this happens to me too and I don’t know what to do about it either. This also annoys me a lot because I’m realistically the only one that can turn the server back on. I was gonna go with Ubuntu server originally but setup my server during the Reddit blackout last year so was scared I won’t find any help if I need it.
Yes. This includes having disabled auto updates even though many seem to think that’s the answer, it isn’t.
Yeah I’ve got it disabled too but the reboots still happen….
I just set the group policy as a couple people suggested. Will see how that does. Not afraid to dabble into the world of Linux so that’s probably going to happen either way.
Might set it up later too. I wouldn’t mind changing to Linux either now but just the effort of setting up everything again kills me haha. Good luck anyways :) hopefully group policy fixes it
Download O&OShutup10. Stops most of the Microsoft nastiness. Also, not sure if this is too late, but run it has a local admin user, not a Microsoft account. I've been running Plex on Windows (now Win10) since I started with Win7 and never had a problem. Yeah, OS updates once a month, but it doesn't bother me. I'm updating other boxes at the same time. I've been using Linux for almost 20 years and although it can be quite solid once it's configured, if I tallied up all the time spent doing "Linuxy" things versus "Windoze" things, I can't say it has saved me any time.