Option to Disable Automatic Trash Emptying After Every Scan

[h0pdedix 8]

I’d love to see an option to stop Emby from emptying the trash automatically after every library scan. This would be super useful when editing or moving files around because it prevents the server from treating those files as gone before they’re actually back in place. Once the edits or moves are finished, we could just run a rescan to update everything without causing unnecessary changes in the meantime.

It’s definitely more of a quality of life type setting, but for those of us who like things tidy or are a bit OCD about our setups, this would be a really helpful addition.

Keen to see what the Emby community has to say.

[Luke 42077]

HI, are you saying you move things out, and then back in?

[h0pdedix 8]

Exactly, that’s what I mean. When I move or update files, Emby currently sees them as removed and empties the trash right away. Then when the files are back in place, Emby just treats them like brand new media instead of holding their spot on the server.

What I’m trying to say and I hope this comes across the right way is that many of us who manage our own media servers would really benefit from having the option to keep content held in place during scans. For example, Plex has this behavior where if you disable empty trash after every scan, it essentially keeps placeholders until the edits or moves are complete, then fills things back in on the next scan.

Right now in Emby, with trash emptied automatically, anything moved/edited gets wiped immediately and then readded as if it’s brand new. Having an option to avoid that would make it much smoother when doing bulk edits, quality upgrades, or reorganizing media.

If you need examples from Plex, I am happy to provide you screenshots. I also apologize in advance, as I know it must be quite frustrating to always hear people say "like Plex." I don't mean it in any bad way, and to be honest, I only want the best for Emby, as this is now my home instead of Plex, and that definitely tells you something. But I can't lie and say some of those little things, such as this, were quite helpful.

Edited September 18, 2025 by h0pdedix

[GrimReaper 4739]

Disable RTM and scheduled automatic scan, just run manual scans upon importing and/or editing items. 

[h0pdedix 8]

I would assume it would still do as I said and not hold its place on the server, and when the new scan occurs, it will then think it is something new and add it to the latest media on the server. In doing so, it will not go back to where it was on the server. I'm sure if you have seen the way it works on Plex, you would definitely understand me a little better.

So having a setting such as this would most definitely benefit and just be an additional option for us in the Emby community to decide whether we want to use it or not instead of having to disable RTM and scheduled scans, as you suggested, as most like to leave those settings on.

Of course, at the end of the day, it is up to you in the Emby team to decide whether this is worthy of creating, but hey, I would say don't brush it off too quickly and feel free to ask the Emby community what they think. I am happy for everyone to speak up and let us know what they would like that's why being a part of a community such as this makes it so special, letting everyone voice their opinions and thoughts.

Edited September 18, 2025 by h0pdedix

[ebr 16169]

Hi.  Saving metadata and images alongside your media would greatly reduce the impact of moving things around.

[h0pdedix 8]

9 hours ago, ebr said:

Hi.  Saving metadata and images alongside your media would greatly reduce the impact of moving things around.

This was a feature request post. Whilst I do appreciate any suggestions and am always open to trying things, I think it may be best to stay on task with the request itself, if that's okay.

Also I do actually keep images alongside my media, but I just thought I would make a feature request post based on my experience with this feature for many years using Plex.

Like I said before, if you want to check with others in the community if they would like to have this feature, you are free to do so, the choice is yours.

So, I was just making a suggestion, as the way I use things, I like everything in its place and not affected by scans unless I choose it to be.

A placeholder action, such as the option to disable automatic trash emptying after every scan, has proven quite useful over the years of managing my media at home with Plex.