I need to move my iTunes library to an external hard drive

I need to move my iTuns library to an external hard drive in order to free up space on my macbook pro.  I've checked the external hard drive & it is playing my iTunes fine. I've moved the iTunes folder on my macbook to the trash can.  Is there anything else I need to do before emptying it from the trash can?

Sounds like you are OK. Be sure to open iTunes then preferences. Click on Advanced icon in toolbar. Set the path to your media folder in the field where you should see the path to the original location. Or, you can hold down the OPTION key while starting iTunes and choosing the library you wish to use.
This should be it. If all is working well delete the data in the Trash. Now, if it were me I would have a backup somewhere just in case. Better safe than sorry.

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    See Restoring your iTunes Backup here...
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  • HOW TO MOVE YOUR ITUNES LIBRARY TO AN EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE

    Read these directions before actually doing anything, just so you can do this right. I've messed things up before, it can get ugly...
    That being said, here's what you've gotta do if you're running on a Mac:
    Have all your music on the external hard drive. It should be organized in folders the way iTunes set it up
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    The way iTunes works is there are two parts to make what you see in iTunes work right. There's your media (songs, video, iPod games and Apps, etc) and there are your library files. They tell iTunes what your playlists are, where your 'iTunes Media' folder is located, and a lot of other important things. Here is how to find the iTunes Library files (there will probably be more than one!)
    Look in (yourusername)/Music/iTunes
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    iTunes Library Extras.itdb
    iTunes Library Genius.itdb
    Itunes Library.itl
    iTunes Media (a folder)
    iTunes Music Library Backup.xml (this file might or might not be here. If there is no file with this name, it's okay.)
    iTunes Music Library.xml
    Some "temp" files (maybe, maybe not -- they are not important for this)
    Anything in the list that is BOLDED needs to be placed in (yourusername)/Music/iTunesIf you copied these files to your external hard drive, you will need to copy them back onto your internal hard drive. These library files do not need to be in the same place as your iTunes Media folder.
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    Give iTunes a moment or two (depending on the size of your library) to re-locate all of your songs. Voila!
    If it is correct:Do nothing!
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    "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library" (CHECK THIS BOX!)
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    Also, if the hard drive is unplugged and you open up iTunes, all of your songs will have little symbols next to them. Until you plug/reconnect the hard drive, the songs will stay like this and will be missing.
    TROUBLESHOOTING:
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    Click on "Get Info"
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    Part Two:
    We are now focusing on the very bottom of the window, where it says "Sharing & Permissions"/
    In the bottom right corner of the window there is a small padlock icon. Click it. When asked for an administrator password, type it in, and click "Ok".
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    If you have any other issues, I will add them to the troubleshooting list to help you out. Hope this was helpful!

    My iTunes library is set up the way I said in the top post and works totally fine.
    Yes, and that is the default structure to which I was referring.  iTunes will organize it that way automatically unless people do start changing settings (in which case they should know what they are doing and how iTunes works with library files and media structure.)
    Both ways work, the advantages of mine would be that should iTunes try looking fo a library, it will always be in the default location.
    It makes people think they have to change media location in preferences.  They do not unless they want to relocate media only and leave other things on their internal drive (in which case there is no point in copying library files to the external, and you certainly wouldn't want to then delete them from your internal).
    Downside is that then should someone move their iTunes library to anther computer they need to remember to get those library files on the external hard drive.
    Just copy the whole iTunes folder and it will get the library files to the other drive in one step, along with all the other files.
    Your post has good stuff but it makes a move appear intimidating and look like people have to do a lot of organizing to move the collection.  It also throws in  extra steps (namely altering preference settings) that could cause confusion or even make a mess of things.  If people leave iTunes to default preference settings (which most people do) the move summarizes into a short line:  Copy a folder and hold an extra button the next time you start iTunes.
    Note that the instructions in the link I provided earlier do also include many steps, but those are to ensure that everybody does have it all organized correctly before simply copying the iTunes folder.  In the end it is just a simple action.

  • How do I move my iTunes library from an external hard drive to my new Mac Mini?

    My MacBook Pro couldn't handle my iTunes library so it was moved to an external hard drive.  I want to move the content without losing the settings and playlists. Can anyone help?

    Hi, see if these help...
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527

  • How can I move my iTunes library to an external hard drive?

    Because I can only sync my iPhone with iTunes on one computer, I want to know how to move my iTunes library to a new computer when I get one.

    Locate one of the song files on the old computer, go up the folder structure until you reach the iTunes folder, and move the entire folder over.
    (63012)

  • Can I move my Itunes Library to an external hard drive?

    My Mac Book Pro is sloq, and I think it part it is because of the 1400 songs on my Itunes.
    Can I move those songs to an external hard drive?
    Will that improve the speed of my computer?
    Thanks

    Can I move those songs to an external hard drive?
    yes.
    Will that improve the speed of my computer?
    maybe. what is the total capacity of your boot drive and how much free space is left ?

  • How do I move my iTunes library from an external hard drive to my new Time Capsule?

    I stored my 77GB of iTunes library on my six year old 1TB Time Capsule. I just bought a 2TB Time Capsule and moved the iTunes associated folders onto a WD My Passport HD. Now, I can't figure out how to get them onto my new Time Capsule. Can someone please help me?
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    You could plug the WD drive straight into the TC but it will be much faster to do it with the WD drive plugged into the computer.. and just mount the TC hard disk in Finder.
    To move itunes library you must follow the Apple instructions.. http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
    You may need to reconnect itunes to the library before you try to move it.. !!

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