There are tons of media server software options for building your own do-it-yourself (DIY) Netflix. Jellyfin is a fantastic open-source alternative to Emby and Plex that’s completely free to use. While Linux is a great operating system (OS) landscape for a home server, Windows works well too, and Jellyfin runs like a champ on Windows. Learn how to install Jellyfin on Windows!
What is Jellyfin?
Jellyfin is a free, open-source media server software solution. With installers for Linux, Windows, macOS, and Docker containers, Jellyfin is cross-platform compatible. Not only is Jellyfin itself free to download and install, but all of its client apps for streaming to Android, iOS, Roku, and Apple TV are completely free, no purchase necessary. Using Jellyfin, you can create a sort of DIY Netflix or Spotify. Simply install Jellyfin, point it to your media collection of digitized music files and DVD or Blu-ray rips, then wait for it to find metadata and box art. You’ll be able to enjoy your media library streaming from a host PC to any number of different devices such as Android and iOS phones or tablets, smart TVs, Android TV boxes, Roku streaming boxes, and more.
Because Jellyfin is a fork of Emby, its interface should look familiar to any Emby users. It’s clean and simple to navigate. What’s more, Jellyfin offers a bevy of different customization options for adding CSS and making your own web apps.
What You’ll Need for a Jellyfin Media Server Running Windows
A Jellyfin media server on Windows requires a few parts and pieces. First, you’ll need a computer running Windows. You could use a desktop or laptop, but for transcoding media files, you’ll want a beefier CPU (central processing unit). If you’re using a laptop, you may want a high-capacity external hard drive for media storage. Then, you’ll need a collection of digital media files such as (legally obtained) music files, movies, and TV shows. Jellyfin also lets you sync your photos and music videos. You need a download of Jellyfin media server for Windows, and an active Internet connection.
On the client side, you’ll need a device to stream Jellyfin to such as a phone, tablet, or set-top box. Additionally, installing Jellyfin server for Windows requires a display device such as a computer monitor, TV, or projector. Plus, you’ll need a keyboard and mouse to control your host PC.
What you’ll need to run Jellyfin media server on Windows:
- PC running Windows (desktop, laptop, or server)
- Large external hard drive (optional)
- Peripherals (keyboard, mouse)
- Display device for your PC (computer monitor, TV, or projector)
- Jellyfin download
- Media library of movies, TV shows, music, photos, etc.
- Active Internet connection
How to Install Jellyfin Server on Windows
First, head over to the official Jellyfin website. Select Download Now.
On the Jellyfin Downloads page, you’ll see several different options for platforms like Docker, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Additionally, you can choose from stable and unstable versions. If you value software stability, choose the stable release. For testing out the latest features with some breakage, choose unstable. Select Windows and either stable, unstable, or all versions. I picked stable.
Now, you’ll have a choice of different downloads including traditional EXE installers or portable ZIP installations. I opted for an EXE application.
After you’ve downloaded the Jellyfin installer, locate it and start the installation process. By default, it should be in your Downloads directory.
The Jellyfin installer will walk you through some basic setup. You may have to allow Windows to run apps from unknown sources before the installer starts. First, accept the license agreement by clicking I agree.
Then, pick either Basic install or Install as a service. For most users, the basic install should be fine. If you need advanced features such as accessing network shares, install Jellyfin as a service.
Next up, select an install location. By default, that should be under C:\ProgramFiles\Jellyfin\Server. You can leave this unchanged or choose a different folder.
Now, choose your data location. By default, that should be something such as C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server which you can leave as is or change to a different location.
Once that’s complete, you’ll see a confirmation page with your installation folder location, program data folder, and whether you’ve selected a service install or not. Review the information, and if everything looks good, hit Install. Wait for the Jellyfin Windows server installation to finish. When setup completes, click close to exit the installer.
Open the Start menu and search for Jellyfin. You should see the Jellyfin Trap App entry, so launch that to start running Jellyfin. It will open in your system tray.
If your firewall asks you if you’d like to allow Jellyfin to communicate on different networks, allow access.
Select the Jellyfin icon on the system tray and choose Open Jellyfin.
Since Jellyfin runs as a web app, it will open in a web browser. By default, Jellyfin runs on port 8096, so you can access it in a web browser at http://localhost:8096 or http://YOUR_IP_ADDRESS:8096. You’ll be greeted by the Jellyfin welcome screen. Pick your preferred display language and hit next.
Enter some basic information such as a username and password, then click next.
Now, add your media libraries by selecting add media library.
After you navigate into the add a media library section, you can pick a content type such as movies, music, shows, books, photos, music videos, or other. Choose a content type based on the media that you’re importing and select ok.
You’ll now have the option to pick a display name and information such as preferred download language and country. Hit the plus sign beside Folders to add a media folder, then browse for the folder of files that you want to import. I store all of my movies in a root folder called Movies with separate sub-folders for each movie with the naming convention [Movie Name](Year). For example, “The Big Lebowski (1998)”. All of these are stored in a folder called Movies. So my DVD rip of “The Big Lebowski” might be Videos/Movies/The Big Lebowski (1998)/The Big Lebowski (1998).mkv.
Under media library settings, you can choose to use embedded titles over file names when there’s no Internet metadata or local metadata available. You can also enable real-time monitoring, choose different metadata downloaders like TheMovieDb and The Open Movie Database, select when to refresh metadata automatically from the Internet, and toggle on metadata savers such as Nfo files if you have local metadata stored.
Repeat this process for all of the different types of content you want to import into Jellyfin such as movies, music, TV shows, and photos. When you’ve got all of your media folders selected, hit next.
Pick your preferred metadata language and country, then click next.
Now, configure remote access by toggling on or off the options to allow remote connections to the server as well as enable automatic port mapping. Again, hit next.
Once that’s finished, simply sign in. You should now see your media library populating. Wait for Jellyfin to finish importing your library and downloading metadata.
You can now browse your media collection in Jellyfin!
How to Run Jellyfin Server on Windows – Next Steps
Once you’ve successfully installed Jellyfin for Windows, you may want to perform a few next-steps such as fixing metadata matches, setting up client apps, and configuring a port forward.
How to Set Up a Port Forward
Accessing your Jellyfin Windows server on your home network shouldn’t require a port forward, but you may need to open up some ports for remote out-of-home streaming. The ports you’ll need open are 8096 and 8920.
You’ll need to access and log into your router. Most routers use an address like 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, or 192.168.2.1. On my Linksys router, the web login was available at 192.168.1.1. When you’ve found the web user interface (web UI), you’ll need to login. Enter your username and password.
Then, find a section such as Port Forwarding, Apps and Gaming, or something similar. My Linksys showed this setting under Security > Apps and Gaming > Single Port Forwarding. You’ll find options for Port Range Forwarding and Port Range Triggering as well.
For a single port forward, you’ll need to enter the same number for Internal and External options. Alternately, for a port range, use Start and End. The website PortForward lists many frequently-used ports. In this case, the ports you’ll need open are 8096 and 8920. Input information such as UDP, TCP, or all. Once you’ve got your Jellyfin ports forwarded, save your settings. Although the login details and wording vary somewhat by router manufacturer, it’s generally the same and should be easy to figure out.
Set Up a Jellyfin Client
While you can stream from Jellyfin to other PCs on your network with the web app, there are tons of Jellyfin client apps for streaming to Roku, Android TV, smart TVs, and more. Simply download your preferred Jellyfin client. Once the app is installed, fire it up.
Now, you’ll be prompted to select a server. Pick your Jellyfin Windows server.
Then, enter your user name and password, and click login.
That’s it! You should be signed into Jellyfin.
How to Install Jellyfin on Windows – Run a Jellyfin Media Server on Windows
Jellyfin is an awesome media server software solution that’s free and open-source. The Emby fork is at once easy to use and extremely customizable. As such, it’s a great choice for new homelabbers and seasoned server enthusiasts alike. With its Windows installer, Jellyfin can transform any PC into a robust home server. I installed Jellyfin on my Windows home theatre PC (HTPC) for a powerful media server that lets me stream to various computers, streaming boxes, phones, tablets, and game consoles scattered around my house.
Your turn: What media server software do YOU recommend?
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