# How do I change the way I connect to an environment without losing my existing stacks?

{% hint style="info" %}
Note that these steps apply to Docker environments only.
{% endhint %}

In the case of changing the way you connect to an environment (for example by moving from connecting to the Docker socket directly to using a socket proxy) you can move your stacks by:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Removing the current environment connection in Portainer

Under **Administration**, navigate to **Environment-related**, then to **Environments**. Select the environment you would like to remove and click **Remove.** The stacks in this environment will become orphaned, and therefore available to be re-associated once you re-add the environment in the next step.

<figure><img src="/files/S3H4jYvMmC4ZGZddwpvF" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Adding a new environment using the new connection method

[Add the environment again](/admin/environments/add.md) using the new connection method.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Re-associating the orphaned stacks with the new environment

Within the environment that you want to associate your orphaned stacks with, click **Stacks** in the left hand menu. At the Stacks list, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select **Show all orphaned stacks**. Your stack list will then update to include any orphaned stacks.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/zZXBZlZ0OEXu2cPLXeS3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Click into the stack that you want to recover, and select **Associate.**

<figure><img src="/files/tD1qZ7IGoCGhNR8lMXCU" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Your stack will now appear in your stack list with total control. Repeat this process for each stack you want to re-associate.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}


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