How do i add files to itunes without it copying all of them over again

i just recently purchased a brand new G5... i have been a PC user my whole life and have just recently made the change. I am glad that I have but i am running into some basic problems. I put all of my old mp3s on DVD and just recopyed them into this HD... i am used to using winamp.. where i have files just how i like them and i add them to a playlist and play them.. how do i add these files to itunes without having the program copy all of the files again to the ...itunesmusic directory. PLEASE HELP ME

In iTunes go to Preferences > Advanced, there you can tell iTunes to NOT copy the music files to the iTunes Music folder while importing.
(I'd advise you, though, to consider changing your old habits and letting iTunes manage the music files on your hard drive, that's the way iTunes was designed to work. After all, iTunes is not Winamp ...)
Alexander.

Similar Messages

  • I have my contacts synced with icloud and exchange. I want all of them to be synced via icloud, I have tried turning contacts off and then clicking merge but that doesn't copy all of them over. How do I transfer all contacts onto my phone and then icloud?

    I have my contacts synced with icloud and exchange. I want all of them to be synced via icloud, I have tried turning contacts off and then clicking merge but that doesn't copy all of them over. How do I transfer all contacts onto my phone and then icloud?

    Welcome to the Apple Community.
    If you can't do this on a computer, which would be much easier using drag and drop, then you will need to share the contacts with yourself in order to move them to the iCloud account.

  • How to create backup file on itunes for ipod touch 4g game apps data? Is there a way to do it? I want to try an app on my friend's computer, but you can't add apps on another computer without having your own ipod's data being deleted. Thx for any help!

    How to create backup file on itunes for ipod touch 4g game apps data? Is there a way to do it? I want to try an app on my friend's computer, but you can't add apps on another computer without having your own ipod's data being deleted. Thx for any help!
    I want to know how to create a backup file (because I'm pretty new with itunes, and it's hard to use it for me still), how to store my app data/media/videos, etc. And how I can retrieve them back when I'm done with the app I tried on my friend's computer.
    If anyone can help, it'd be great! Thank you so much!

    Sure-glad to help you. You will not lose any data by changing synching to MacBook Pro from imac. You have set up Time Machine, right? that's how you'd do your backup, so I was told, and how I do my backup on my mac.  You should be able to set a password for it. Save it.  Your stuff should be saved there. So if you want to make your MacBook Pro your primary computer,  I suppose,  back up your stuff with Time machine, turn off Time machine on the iMac, turn it on on the new MacBook Pro, select the hard drive in your Time Capsule, enter your password, and do a backup from there. It might work, and it might take a while, but it should go. As for clogging the hard drive, I can't say. Depends how much stuff you have, and the hard drive's capacity.  As for moving syncing from your iMac to your macbook pro, should be the same. Your phone uses iTunes to sync and so that data should be in the cloud. You can move your iTunes Library to your new Macbook pro
    you should be able to sync your phone on your new MacBook Pro. Don't know if you can move the older backups yet-maybe try someone else, anyways,
    This handy article from Apple explains how
    How to move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Support''
    don't forget to de-authorize your iMac if you don't want to play purchased stuff there
    and re-authorize your new macBook Pro
    time machine is an application, and should be found in the Applications folder. it is built in to OS X, so there is nothing else to buy. double click on it, get it going, choose the Hard drive in your Time capsule/Airport as your backup Time Machine  and go for it.  You should see a circle with an arrow on the top right hand of your screen (the Desktop), next to the bluetooth icon, and just after the wifi and eject key (looks sorta like a clock face). This will do automatic backups  of your stuff.

  • How do I add $$ to my iTunes ID account without adding a monthly automatic deposit?

    How do I add $$ to my iTunes ID account without adding a monthly automatic deposit?

    Purchase and redeem an iTunes gift card.
    (90469)

  • How do I delete songs from Itunes without losing them in my IPOD?

    How do I delete songs from Itunes without losing them in my IPOD? I don't want 11gb of music stored on my computer when I already have it in my Ipod. Anyone have some info?

    You can Transfer music manually, then delete the files from the PC without having it sync to the iPod.
    HOWEVER.....
    Deleting songs off of iTunes or your computer is a very bad idea unless you have created one or more backup files of all your songs.
    Using the iPod as the sole repository of any of your songs is a very risky practice. When (not ‘if’) you need to restore the iPod, return the iPod for service, or it's song files are somehow lost or damaged, you will be re-ripping all your CDs back into iTunes and re-purchasing all your iTMS songs. Restoring the iPod is a common ‘fix’ to many small issues that arise.
    If you cannot store your songs on a PC or within iTunes, then you will need to have some storage medium in use (an external hard drive, DVDs or CDs). You should also consider a secondary backup medium for additional safety. Whether you keep your music in iTunes or on an external source – Multiple copies of your music files are a must!
    The iPod is really designed to be playback device - not a primary storage device (although it can be used as such), and certainly not as the only storage medium for all your music.
    Always backup your PC files: both music and data. Backup as frequently as possible. The usual ‘metric’ is to determine just how much work (hours, days, weeks) or money spent you are willing to repeat by extending out your time between backups. Your choice, your potential headache &/or loss.
    Many data-savvy folks have more than one backup and create incremental backups every time they add to or change their Library. Depending on the work I am doing, I may perform several backups during the same day. As they are incremental, and placed on my Backup ExHD – it is a very quick operation to perform several times a day, when needed.
    If you are heavily invested in your Library data (Playlists, Play Counts, Ratings, Last Played, Date Added, etc.), then:
    it is critical that you also make multiple backups of your ‘iTunes Library.itl’ file.
    iTMS REMINDER: While you can always take the time to re-rip the CDs you own to restore your iTunes music, if you lose your iTMS purchased music and have no backups, you will have to re-purchase them. Few exceptions are made to this rule – at least none that I am aware of.
    Here is a post on developing a backup strategy:
    http://discussions.apple.com/click.jspa?searchID=-1&messageID=1498152

  • How do I add files to third party apps?

    Hey guys,
    I recently updated iTunes to 12.1. I needed to add some pdf files to my iPad for a class. In previous versions of iTunes, I would just click the app tab and there would be a section for Adobe Reader/Acrobat where I could click and drag the file. Now that I've updated, I can't seem to find that section. How do I add files? Thanks in advance.

    You're welcome.
    tt2

  • I have a mac os 10.5.8, i want to upgrade to mac os snow leopard, can i keep all my files (documents, music on itunes) without backing up all the files first on a external device prior to the upgrade?

    I have a mac os 10.5.8, i want to upgrade to mac os snow leopard, can i keep all my files (documents, music on itunes) without backing up all the files first on a external device prior to the upgrade?

    I strongly advise against upgrading the OS without first making a backup. Were something to go wrong you would lose all your files without the backup. See:
    How to Install OS X Updates Successfully
    A. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions:
    Boot from your current OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. Then select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally. 
    If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.2 for Tiger) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
    B. Make a Bootable Backup Using Restore Option of Disk Utility:
    Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
    Select the destination volume from the left side list.
    Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
    Check the box labeled Erase destination.
    Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
    Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
    Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
    Destination means the external backup drive. Source means the internal startup drive.
    C. Important: Please read before installing:
    If you have a FireWire hard drive connected, disconnect it before installing the update unless you will boot from this drive and install the update on it. Reconnect it and turn it back on after installation is complete and you've restarted.
    You may experience unexpected results if you have installed third-party system software modifications, or if you have modified the operating system through other means. (This does not apply to normal application software installation.)
    The installation process should not be interrupted. If a power outage or other interruption occurs during installation, use the standalone installer (see below) from Apple Downloads to update.  While the installation is in progress do not use the computer.
    D. To upgrade:
    Purchase the Snow Leopard Retail DVD.
    Boot From The OS X Installer Disc:
    Insert OS X Installer Disc into the optical drive.
    Restart the computer.
    Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "C" key.
    Release the key when the spinning gear below the dark gray Apple logo appears.
    Wait for installer to finish loading.
    E. If updating:
    Download and install update(s) 
    Use Software Update, or
    Download standalone updater(s).

  • HT4437 how may I add files to time capsule apart from backup files?

    how may I add files to time capsule apart from backup files?
    I'm able to perform backup (time machine). May I add pictures, texts, movies...?
    Thanks

    not sure if this is a spc. appletv question or if you posted it in the wrong forum but there is no way
    for an appletv to access files directly from an time capsule it can only! access a shared lib from itunes from a computer running and running itunes

  • In mavericks, how can I add my linkedin account without adding my contacts to my mac address book?

    in mavericks, how can I add my linkedin account without adding my contacts to my mac address book?
    it seems to be a prerequisite to adding the account. any advice please?

    Welcome to the Apple Community.
    iTunes, iCloud, Messages and FaceTime are all seperate services. You could change your ID for Messages without affecting anything else. If you wish to change your ID for iCloud, you would need to save your data, please let us know if you wish to use another ID for more than messages.

  • How do I add music from itunes to imovie

    How do I add  music  from  itunes to imovie?

    Hi
    I do
    • Never use .mp3 (or other strange formats)
    • Never import directly from iTunes
    • Convert all to .aiff 16-bit 48kHz or from Audio-CD 44.1kHz .aiff
    In iTunes I collect needed audio into a new PlayList
    - then burn them as a Standard Audio-CD (.aiff)
    to convert .mp3 or other formats to .aiff I use - Audacity™ (free from Internet)
    and in all my movie projects in - iMovie HD6 or iMovie'11 or FinalCut Express or Pro - I use these .aiff files.
    I have near to Zero problem with Audio in my projects.
    Yes - tedious. Yes there might be better ways - BUT - YES I hate to re-do my projects and the Audio never makes me to do that this way.
    Yours Bengt W

  • How Can I Delete Albums From iTunes Without It Deleting Them From My iPod

    Please help!!!!
    How Can I Delete Albums From iTunes Without It Deleting Them From My iPod classic 160GB?

    Hi, welcome to Apple Discussions.
    I assume you've already consisdered manually managing your iPod's contents and rejected that idea.
    I wouldn't recommend it as a solution, but if you delete the files for the albums leaving the entries in the iTunes library you can carry on syncing normally. iTunes will complain that it can't sync the missing files but it won't remove the copies from your iPod. Once you're happy with how things work you can can choose to suppress the error message.
    While handy as a temporary workaround if space is an issue then it's probably time to look at moving your whole library to a bigger drive.
    tt2

  • How do I delete movies from iTunes library? I have moved them to the iCloud and now only seem to have the option to hide the icon in iCloud.  I am sure I chose poorly at the 'keep file' window.  Please help. My Brain hurts- 18   movies need to go-.

    How do I delete movies from iTunes library? I have moved them to the iCloud and now only seem to have the option to hide the icon in iCloud.  I am sure I chose poorly at the 'keep file' window.  Please help. My Brain hurts… 18 plus movies need to go….  Thank you.

    Instead of removing the music from the cloud or the iTunes library why not shuffle your music using a Smart Playlist which excludes the holiday music, or tracks that are not checked. For example, use this very simple Smart Playlist:

  • How do i add a second itunes account on same email

    How do i add a second itunes account on the same email address?

    Create a new AppleID (or use a different one if you are already doing so), then sign onto the iTunes Store that way and set up payment etc.
    There's many other aspects to this question, including if you want this all to go to the same library, the same user account on the computer, etc.
    Warning: For the purposes of redownloading items (make sure you understand redownload vs. first time download) you can only change primary AppleID associated with a computer every 90 days.  For other things such as buying new items there is no restriction.
    Items purchase under one account cannot be transferred to another.  you will still always have to use the old ID for any purchase you made under that ID.

  • How do i add a second itunes account on my pc

    how do i add a second itunes account on my pc

    Create a new AppleID (or use a different one if you are already doing so), then sign onto the iTunes Store that way and set up payment etc.
    There's many other aspects to this question, including if you want this all to go to the same library, the same user account on the computer, etc.
    Warning: For the purposes of redownloading items (make sure you understand redownload vs. first time download) you can only change primary AppleID associated with a computer every 90 days.  For other things such as buying new items there is no restriction.
    Items purchase under one account cannot be transferred to another.  you will still always have to use the old ID for any purchase you made under that ID.

  • My computer broke and i lost all files including ITunes. what happens to all the stuff purchased already. will this appear in itues when i download it agian? how can i save the music on my ipod and transfere it over to the new itunes?

    my computer broke and i lost all files including ITunes. what happens to all the stuff purchased already. will this appear in itues when i download it agian? how can i save the music on my ipod and transfere it over to the new itunes?

    Unfortunely, all movies and songs purchased in iTunes will be lost...you'll have to purchase them again! Any applications you've purchased, you can download again for free.
    Music Rescue is a program you can use to transfer any and all data (music, movies, pictures..) from your iPod to your computer, and iTunes.
    http://www.kennettnet.co.uk/products/musicrescue/

Maybe you are looking for