I need to move my ITUNES to an external harddrive. I have a few questions based on what I have read.

Question

1.  I have the old style organazation, the ITUNES Music.  From what I have read I need to go to "Library" and first "consolidate" and then "reorganize".  Is that correct and do I need to worry about the order.  Or should I just check both boxes at the same time?
2.  I understand I can either move the media or move the entire ITUNES file.  It seems it is better to move the whole ITUNES file.  Is that correct.
3.  My understanding that if the external drive is disconnected, the links to the music could be broken.  The best thing to do is:
     A.  Set all ipods to manual update.  This will keep ITUNES from starting every time the IPOD/IPHONE starts up.
     B.  Move the entire ITUNES file.  This way it will start with a message that the Library cannot be found and one can just cancel the startup.
Correct?
4.  One will have to "tell" ITUNES where the new Library resides.  To do this in Windows, hold down the "alt key" and start ITUNES.  Correct?
5.  Before starting make sure ITUNES is updated to the latest version.
Is this pretty much the steps and have I missed anything.  I just want to make sure I am doing this correctly so that I don't screw up my links and have problems with ITUNES finding my music.
Thanks for any comments or feedback.
wdpcpa

Answer 1

wdpcpa wrote:
1.  I have the old style organazation, the ITUNES Music.  From what I have read I need to go to "Library" and first "consolidate" and then "reorganize".  Is that correct and do I need to worry about the order.  Or should I just check both boxes at the same time?
As far as I know there is no reason not to tick both boxes (if available) then click OK. Once the library has been "Rearranged" that option becomes redundant. Once the process is complete you can close iTunes, rename the folder iTunes Music as iTunes Media and start iTunes again. iTunes should automatically correct the media folder preference to match the new location but double check under Edit > Preferences > Advanced.
2.  I understand I can either move the media or move the entire ITUNES file.  It seems it is better to move the whole ITUNES file.  Is that correct.
Yes.
3.  My understanding that if the external drive is disconnected, the links to the music could be broken.  The best thing to do is:
     A.  Set all ipods to manual update.  This will keep ITUNES from starting every time the IPOD/IPHONE starts up.
Not necessary, when your devices are connected you can however untick Open iTunes when this device is connected and under Edit > Preferences > Devices tick Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically.
   B.  Move the entire ITUNES file folder. This way it will start with a message that the Library cannot be found and one can just cancel the startup. (Then connect the drive and start as normal)
Correct.
4.  One will have to "tell" ITUNES where the new Library resides.  To do this in Windows, hold down the "alt key" and start ITUNES.
Press and hold down the SHIFT key as you start iTunes, keep holding until asked to choose or create a library. Click choose and browse to the folder you have moved/copied to your external drive.
5.  Before starting make sure ITUNES is updated to the latest version.
No strictly necessary. The steps for moving an iTunes library have remained stable over many builds. Consolidate & rearrange as in step 1, either move or copy the entire iTunes folder to the new location, then connect with the shift-start iTunes method. Copy is slightly safer. Once you are happy it is all working you should ideally backup the new version of the library before deleting the original.
tt2