guide · #media · 15 min

Install Plex Media Server Directly (Mac, Windows, Linux)

Cech Tech Reviews

Set up Plex without Docker. Download, install, and configure Plex directly on your Mac, Windows PC, or Linux machine. The simplest way to get started.

1. 1

   Download Plex Media Server

   Go to plex.tv/media-server-downloads and download the installer for your operating system:

   - Mac: Download the .dmg file
   - Windows: Download the .exe installer
   - Linux (Ubuntu/Debian): Download the .deb package
   - Linux (Fedora/CentOS): Download the .rpm package

   Plex Media Server is free. You do not need Plex Pass to get started.

2. 2

   Install on Mac

   Open the downloaded .dmg file. Drag Plex Media Server to your Applications folder. Double-click to launch it.

   Plex runs as a menu bar icon (the orange arrow in your top menu bar). It starts automatically on login by default.

   If macOS blocks the app, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and click "Open Anyway."

3. 3

   Install on Windows

   Run the downloaded .exe installer. Follow the setup wizard and click through the defaults.

   Plex installs as a system tray application (bottom-right corner near the clock). It starts automatically with Windows.

   If Windows Defender blocks it, click "More info" then "Run anyway." Plex is safe.

4. 4

   Install on Linux

   For Ubuntu/Debian:

   sudo dpkg -i plexmediaserver_*.deb
   sudo systemctl enable plexmediaserver
   sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver

   For Fedora/CentOS:

   sudo rpm -i plexmediaserver-*.rpm
   sudo systemctl enable plexmediaserver
   sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver

   Plex now runs as a background service and starts automatically on boot.

5. 5

   Run the setup wizard

   Open your browser and go to /:32400/web

   Sign in with your free Plex account (or create one). The setup wizard will walk you through:
   1. Naming your server
   2. Adding media libraries (Movies, TV Shows, Music, Photos)
   3. Pointing each library to the folder where your files are stored

   Plex will scan your folders, identify your media, download artwork and metadata, and organize everything automatically.

6. 6

   Organize your media for best results

   Plex works best when your files are organized like this:

   Movies:
   /Movies/Movie Name (Year)/Movie Name (Year).mkv

   TV Shows:
   /TV Shows/Show Name/Season 01/Show Name - S01E01 - Episode Title.mkv

   Music:
   /Music/Artist/Album/01 - Track Name.mp3

   Plex uses these folder structures to match your files with the correct metadata, artwork, and descriptions.

7. 7

   Enable remote access

   To watch your media outside your home network:

   1. Open Plex Web (localhost:32400/web)
   2. Go to Settings > Remote Access
   3. Click "Enable Remote Access"
   4. Plex will automatically configure port forwarding on most routers via UPnP

   If automatic setup fails, you may need to manually forward port 32400 (TCP) in your router settings to the IP of your Plex server.

   Once enabled, you can stream your entire library from anywhere using the Plex app on your phone, tablet, or smart TV.