Plex Media Server is one of the most popular platforms for organizing and streaming your personal media collection. Whether it's movies, TV shows, music, or photos, Plex enables you to stream content to all your devices, anytime and anywhere. In this article, we will walk you through how to install Plex, download the necessary components, and set it up on various operating systems like macOS, Windows 10, and Ubuntu. We'll also explain how to install Plex plugins and how to use Plex effectively on your PC.

 

What is Plex Media Server?

Plex Media Server is a software that helps you organize and stream your personal media library across multiple devices, both inside and outside your home. Whether you have movies, TV shows, music, or photos stored on your computer, Plex can help turn your machine into a powerful streaming hub. With Plex, you can access your media files from mobile devices, smart TVs, streaming boxes, and more.

One of the key advantages of Plex is its versatility. Not only can it manage large collections of media, but it also supports a wide range of devices. Plex automatically organizes your files, downloads metadata (like movie posters and descriptions), and offers additional features such as remote access, transcoding, and even live TV and DVR capabilities.

 

Key Features of Plex:

  • Media streaming: Stream your personal collection across multiple devices.

  • Metadata management: Automatically downloads cover art, descriptions, and other details.

  • Transcoding: Adjusts the quality of your stream based on device capability and internet speed.

  • Remote access: Watch or listen to your media from anywhere with internet access.

Now that you have a better understanding of what Plex is, let's move on to how you can download and install it.

 

Plex Download

Before you learn how to install Plex on Windows 7 and other systems, you need to download the Plex Media Server software from the official Plex website. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Visit the Plex website: Go to Plex’s official website.

  2. Create an account: While you can use Plex without an account, creating one allows you to access more features such as remote streaming.

  3. Download Plex Media Server: Navigate to the "Downloads" section, and select the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.).

  4. Save the file: Once the download is complete, save the installation file to your computer.

With the Plex Media Server software downloaded, let's move on to installing it on various operating systems.

 

How to Install Plex Plugins

Plex plugins are a way to extend the functionality of Plex by adding features that aren't available out-of-the-box. These plugins can give you access to additional content or services like live sports, news, or custom channels. Although Plex no longer officially supports plugins, there are still ways to install them manually.

 

Steps to Install Plex Plugins:

  1. Download the plugin: Find the plugin you want from a trusted third-party source. Plugins usually come as .zip files.

  2. Extract the plugin: Unzip the downloaded plugin file to access its contents.

  3. Move to the Plex Plugin Folder:

    • On Windows: Navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server\Plug-ins.

    • On macOS: Go to ~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Plug-ins.

  4. Place the plugin: Copy the extracted plugin folder to the appropriate Plex Plugin folder.

  5. Restart Plex: Once the plugin is in place, restart Plex Media Server to load the new plugin.

Now, your plugin should be visible in the Plex interface under the "Plugins" section.

 

How to Install Plex on Mac

Installing Plex on macOS is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Steps:

  1. Download the Plex Media Server: Go to the Plex website, as explained earlier, and download the macOS version.

  2. Open the .dmg file: Once the download is complete, open the .dmg file.

  3. Drag Plex to Applications: A window will appear prompting you to drag the Plex Media Server icon into your Applications folder.

  4. Launch Plex: After installing, go to your Applications folder and launch Plex.

  5. Complete setup: Follow the on-screen instructions to configure your Plex server, such as adding libraries, choosing media folders, and enabling remote access.

Once installed, you can access your Plex Media Server from the menu bar at the top of your screen.

 

How to Install Plex on Windows 10

Here’s how to get Plex Media Server up and running on a Windows 10 PC:

Steps:

  1. Download the Plex installer: Visit the Plex website and download the Windows 10 version.

  2. Run the installer: Once the download is complete, double-click the .exe file to run the installer.

  3. Follow installation prompts: Follow the on-screen instructions, which will guide you through the installation process.

  4. Launch Plex: After installation, you can launch Plex from the Start Menu or a desktop shortcut.

  5. Configure Plex: The Plex web app will open in your browser to guide you through the initial setup process, such as adding your media libraries.

After configuration, Plex Media Server will automatically run in the background whenever your computer is on.

 

How to Install Plex on Ubuntu

If you are running Ubuntu, you can easily install Plex via the terminal. Here's how to install Plex in Ubuntu:

Steps:

  1. Open the terminal: Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the terminal.

  2. Download Plex: Add the Plex repository to your system with the following command:

sudo apt install curl

curl https://downloads.plex.tv/repo.gpg | sudo apt-key add -

echo deb https://downloads.plex.tv/repo/deb public main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/plexmediaserver.list

  1. Update your package list: Run:

sudo apt-get update

  1. Install Plex Media Server: Run the following command:

sudo apt-get install plexmediaserver

  1. Start Plex: Once installed, you can start Plex by using:

sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver

To access Plex, open a web browser and go to http://localhost:32400/web. From there, you can proceed with the setup process.

 

How to Use Plex on PC?

Once you've learned how to install Plex on PC, you can access it through your web browser or by downloading the Plex app for PC. Here's how to get started:

 

Using Plex Through a Web Browser:

  1. Open your browser: Go to http://localhost:32400/web if you're accessing Plex on the same machine.

  2. Sign in: Use the account you created earlier to log in.

  3. Add Media Libraries: Click on "Add Library" to begin adding your media collections.

  4. Stream your content: Once your media is added, you can start streaming it directly from your web browser.

 

Using the Plex App for PC:

  1. Download the Plex App: Go to the Plex website and download the Plex desktop app for Windows.

  2. Install and run the app: Follow the installation instructions, and then sign in with your Plex account.

  3. Access your media: The app will connect to your Plex server, allowing you to stream media directly from your PC without needing a browser.

 

Conclusion

Installing and setting up Plex Media Server is a relatively easy process, whether you’re using macOS, Windows 10, or Ubuntu. Once installed, Plex transforms your computer into a powerful media hub capable of streaming your personal collection to a variety of devices. From movies and music to TV shows and photos, Plex is an excellent way to keep all your media organized and accessible. By following this guide, you should now be equipped to set up Plex, install plugins, and start using Plex on your PC.