Cannot move iTunes Media Folder

I am attempting to move my iTunes folder from a hard drive to the internal SSD on my new Mac Pro (2013). I received this error message after clicking the consolidate files button: "Copying failed because you don't have permission to change your iTunes media folder or a folder within it."
I am unclear how to correct this problem.
Thank you for helping.

Read the part about changing permissions on the iTunes folder in: https://discussions.apple.com/message/11583914

Similar Messages

Trying to move iTunes Media folder won't stick

Ok so I'm stuck trying to get my iTunes media folder moved over to an external drive. I have a My Passport for Mac that I want to move my iTunes Media folder over to. I have followed these steps to move the folder but it does not seem to stick. iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder Every time I close iTunes and open it back up the folder location in the Advanced Preferences it right back to the default path and none of my music or movies are download just the links to pull them back down from the cloud. If I look on the external drive the files are all there and I can see them but iTunes does not want to switch to that folder preeminently.
Just incase anyone needs to know for trouble shooting I'm on a MacBook Pro, OS X 10.9.5 with iTunes 11.4(18) .

Hey there MJDANO,
It sounds like you have copied your iTunes library to an external hard drive but you cannot get the library to open to your media files at all. I would use the following article to open the library, then do what you had been, and set the Advanced Preferences to point to that library again:
iTunes: How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
Create or choose a different iTunes Library file
If iTunes is running, quit iTunes.
If you're using Windows, hold down the Shift key and from the Start menu, choose All Programs > iTunes > iTunes.
If you're using a Mac, open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option key.
You should see one of these screens:
If you don't see one of the screens above, you may want to try again. Remember to hold down the Option key if you're using a Mac or the Shift key if you're using Windows.
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
All the very best,
Sterling

Win-7 64bit: moving iTunes media folder from default location to D drive

Dear all,
I cannot move iTunes media folder from default location on C drive to D drive on win-7 64 bit.
What I did was:
- Under iTunes> Edit > Preferences > Advanced I choosed new location for iTunes media folder on D drive
- Under iTunes > Library > Organize library > I choose consolidate fiels and then ok ( this should create a new library on new location )
Next I delete iTunes media folder on C drive and hope that on re-start iTunes goes to new location on D drive and picks new file arrangement.
But it does not happen - no matter what I do iTunes goes to its default location on C drive ....
I called apple senior advisor - and she told me that it's kind of "my fault" I have windows7 installed on PC and because iTunes is Mac oriented they will not give me support... And referred me to Microsoft ... What a lousy support!. I paid for it $25!! What for?

By the way, I followed instructions as per link http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1364 - it did not work either. Can anyone share their success stories ? My C drive is not big and my music library ~ 100gB - I really need to keep iTunes media files in another location ... not a default place under User Login

How can I move my iTunes media folder from users/shared back to one user account?

I shared my music with multiple users on one macbook pro.
Like on the Apple support discussions described I changed the iTunes media folder to users/shared. My question is how to reverse that action? Once I reset the media folder location it tells me /users/name/music/itunes/itunes media, that would be right but the files remain in users/shared?

Tell us what the underlying objective is in all this. You came here asking how to move a media folder but now we're getting into user libraries and moving things back and forth to their original locations. Why move it in the first place if you are just putting it back? Maybe you don't need to move things.
Read these to learn more about how iTunes works. If you move the wrong things you can end up breaking links. This goes double for moving things to other drives.
What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
It is almost certain that nothing you are doing will require removing the iTunes application itself. Asking that tells me you are doing something relatively complicated with insufficient background -- kind of like somebody asking me how to use a power saw. I can tell them, but when it sounds like their project is painting a room one begins to wonder if they are going about things correctly. That said, organizing/consolidating copies files. Open iTunes, get info on a track, look at summary and see where the file is now located iTunes uses to play the track. It should be in the moved location and it is okay to delete the others.

How to move library if iTunes Media Folder is not at default location

I need to move my iTunes library from my old laptop to my new one which should be simple enough but the problem is that my iTunes library database and content will not be in the same relative locations on the new computer - ie...I long ago ran out of space on my laptop HD and all my music has been on an external HD so my iTunes Media Location is not the standard "My Music" folder but instead points to E:/ITUNES EHD.
I would like to plug in the external HD to the new PC and copy the files to the new internal HD (as one of the reasons for buying the new computer was to do away with using the external HD for iTunes) and have the new iTunes point at the new media location but all the copied files have a pathway starting with E:/ rather than C:/ so iTunes immediately ignores them.
How can I transfer the files (including all the playlists other info) from the external HD to the new internal HD so that the "new" iTunes will recognise the files in their new location.
I hope this makes sense to somebody out there - please help or ask me any questions if I have not been too clear.

This article should get you started:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive/48
The most important thing for a trouble free transfer is all you music files must be in your designated iTunes Music/media folder. That is set from the advanced tab in preferences.
If your current media folder is not set in preferences, you need to set it. If there are any music files outside the designated folder you need to consolidate your library.
The reason for this is that iTunes is extremely fussy about paths to files, but it can cope with a change in the path above the level of the designated media folder.
If you want to keep your current playlists etc, you will need to transfer your current iTunes folder containing the library files.
A simple way to do this is to install iTunes on the new PC then with iTunes closed drag the new iTuneas folder out of music to the desktop and replace it with the iTunes folder from the old PC.
You will need to adjust the permissions on the folder so your new account is the owner with full control.
Initially set the location of your iTunes music folder to the external drive and check that it all works.
Then you can move your files, by changing the location of your itunes media folder to one on the internal drive and then consolidating.
See this on moving the music folder:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364?viewlocale=en_US
If I haven't explained it clearly enough post back with any questions.

How can I move my media files from USB-HD to NAS without having to copy the media files to iTunes Media folder?

I have iTunes on a Mac with the iTunes Media folder stored locally and the music on an external USB-HD. The music files are Not copied to iTunes Media folder when added to the library.
Now I want to move my files from USB-HD to a NAS without losing any information or settings. I want to do the similar to my iPhoto library. I do not want to consolidate my files to iTunes Media folder. The articles I’ve read only discuss how to do if the files are copied to iTunes Media folder when added to the library. Any tips or trix?

I have iTunes on a Mac with the iTunes Media folder stored locally and the music on an external USB-HD. The music files are Not copied to iTunes Media folder when added to the library.
How are you achieving the above? What are your copy setting in preferences? If you are manually overriding the copy-to by holding down the option key while adding media then that won't apply when you import a playlist (as in importing the .xml). When you import a playlist like that you are essentially adding the files to the library again and it will obey the preferences setting since you can't option add them that way.
Correct on the .itl. Only iTunes itself can edit that file.
I think you need to review your basic wants/needs in doing all this. If your reason for not wanting to use the Media Folder settiing is because you do not want it to go on the internal drive, but you don't actually mind if it organizes it as long as it is on the NAS, change the Media Folder preferences setting to the NAS and let it consolidate to there. If you want to move the stuff but keep it organized in your own folder structure you may need to do it as I suggested initially. Once it is on the NAS and iTunes recognize the file locations you can do what you can only do if you manually manage music which is move it around in Finder afterward once it is on the drive and recognized to tweak location to your final wishes.

If I move my iTunes media folder to the Shared folder....

Hello
I'd like to share my music libary with my wife's user account on our MacBook Pro so she can get some of my music onto her iPhone. I've read the article on the Apple site as well as similar articles from other reputable Mac user websites and it seems simple enough.
I move the iTunes media folder into the shared folder and then redirect iTunes in the two separate accounts towards the new library locations whilst unticking the box 'Copy to the iTunes Media folder when adding to library' and then the same library is used by iTunes for both user accounts.
My question is: what are the implications for Apps when doing this? This method allows us to share music which is simple enough because she doesn't have any so the new library will just be my music.
But we both have our own collection of apps bought and downloaded through our individual accounts. Her apps are in the iTunes Media folder in her own account whilst mine are in mine. If we share an iTunes media folder as our shared libary, how does the storage and synchronisation of apps function?
Thank you for any help..

Sorted - worked it out myself.
In case it's of any use to anyone else, I moved my iTunes Media folder into the Shared section of the drive and let iTunes know this which has had absolutely no effect on my library or my access to my media.
My wife's iTunes simply has access to my media and she can add it to her own library (which already contains her own apps) without moving the media from my shared folder because I deselected that 'copy to itunes when adding to library' box.
Now she has her own media folder and library but can access my stuff...

Can I move my itunes media folder to an external hard drive without having Itunes managing the media folder

Hi all....I have spent weeks tidying up my music collection. I moved it all to Itunes media folder. Since I don't like how Itunes manages this folder I manually organised it myself so that albums where together etc. I am wondering if there is a fool proof way to move my media folder to an external hard drive without letting itunes manage and consolidate files as this will reverse all the work I did in organising. Im not sure if Im posting to the right place but fingers crossed:)
Thanks in advance

Just one more thing puhlease:) This is the list of things that are in my iTunes folder. Album artwork, Automatically add to iTunes, iTunes media, Mobile apllications, podcasts, previous itunes libraries, voice memos. Then it has files itunes preferences, itunes libary extras, itunes libarry genius, itunes libraary, itunes music library......Is there stuff in there that doesnt need to be there as some are repeated in itunes media folder which contains....automatically add to itunes, books, downloads, home videos, mobile applications, music, podcasts, tones, voice memos and itunes preferences. Any thoughts on deleting some folders??? Thankyou so much for your time on this

I am trying to move my iphoto and itunes to an external hard drive to free up space on my macbook...i have followed the steps to the change itunes media folder location (chosen external hard drive) but my new folder is greyed out so cant continue ?help?

I need to free up space on my macbook pro as hard drive is full!! So with 20 000 photos/video clips and itunes I would like to move this to a external hard drive!
I have followed steps on apple support but when i get to the Change itunes media folder location and chosen external hard drive it will not let me access the new folder option ?? help?

errrrrrrm!
Yes external drive shows up in finder on desk top and can change to in the media folder location thing!
My external hard drive is a WD Elements. I have no idea about permissions to the external? Do i Have to format external hard drive to a mac?
I am trying to follow the steps on the apple support page to transfer files (consolidate library etc) just cant get further down steps as the new folder option is greyed out!
Thanks for you help

C: drive is full - move only iTunes Media folder contents to another drive without consolidating?

My iTunes library contains a combination of music/movies/etc that I've purchased or downloaded from the iTunes Store as well as music I've purchased from Amazon and my own ripped CDs (not ripped via iTunes...other software). The Amazon and ripped files have always lived on my D drive (for easier sharing betwen family members, without opening up permissions on our User folders), while the Store files all live under my User profile on C.
I'd like to move the iTunes Media folder contents off of C and onto D. All the instructions that use "consolidating" and "keeping the media folder organized" will not work for me, since I do not want all my files under the iTunes Media folder...I like them where they are now in D:\Music\Amazon and D:\Music\CDCollection.
Do I have to resort to moving the files myself, adding them into the library again, then cleaning up the orphaned library entries that are pointing to the old location?
Thanks!

Copy the entire iTunes folder from your music folder to D:\iTunes.
Click the icon to start iTunes and immediately press and hold down the shift key. Keep holding until asked to choose or create a library.
Click Choose and navigate to the file D:\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl
Check the library is working properly.
Use the option File > Library > Organize Library > Consolidate Files to import any stay files to the new library folder.
Delete the old iTunes folder on the C: drive.
Ideally you will also backup this library to another drive.
tt2

HT1203 I moved my Itunes media folder to my public folder in my home folder so that my wife can share my music when she logs on to my computer. Since then aperture has been unable to locate the music files and I cannot add any of my itunes files to a slid

I moved my itunes media folder to my public folder in my home folder so that my wife can share my music when she logs on as a user. Since doing this Aperture cannot locate any itunes music files and so I cannot add any music to a slideshow. All of my existing slideshows no longer play music. Can anyone help?
Thanks

Thank you for your prompt response - I did as you said and did a drag and drop into the iTunes window - it imported and got my album art from the net. When I started Itunes with the shift key down I was prompted to choose a library but since I copied over the media folder and not the library folder I was unable to select that so I guess I will have to create a new library and add in all the music, videos, etc. unless I wait for my laptop and export the library or at least that seems to be the case? In short, all my data (iTunes media folder) is on my external drive and can be added to the blank iTunes screen but I can not choose a library folder. Is there anyway around completely making all those playlists again? I am not sure my laptop will survive the shop with data intact and really hate to start over on those.
In an unrelated question - I collect old TV shows from the 1950's. Can I make playlists within the home video folder somehow? In other words like one for Quiz shows, one for comedies, one for police and detective shows, etc. while I am remaking all my playlists for my music if I end up having to go that route?
Once again thank you for helping me out. I am not too Itunes savvy and really appreciate you taking the time to answer.

Hello. I am running the newest version of itunes on my PC. everytime I try to copy a cd to itunes it gives me an error message that says I do not have write access for my itunes media folder or a folder within it. I cannot get this resolved.

Hello. I am running the newest version of itunes on my PC. everytime I try to copy a cd to itunes it gives me an error message that says I do not have write access for my itunes media folder or a folder within it. I cannot get this resolved using the solution given on the error message. I have been using itunes for 4 years and have never encountered this problem until yesterday. Help would be greatly appreciated.

Quit iTunes.
Go to My Music folder.
Select the iTunes folder, right click > Properties.
Click the Security tab and make sure you have full Read/Write privileges.

HT203167 My iTunes Media folder is missing and I cannot access my music files anymore to back them up.

I back up files constantly to an external drive. I went to back up again & my iTunes Media folder is gone & I can't find it anywhere (including Trash Bin). Will I have to uninstall then reinstall iTunes to get that venue back? I've even tried changing the location in my preferences of where new file should go to & nothings doing.

Compacting is deleting messages marked for deletion. It has nothing to do with trying to squeeze out just a little more space in an already full folder.
Here are some good articles that you could probably benefit from reading.
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Thunderbird_:_Tips_:_Compacting_Folders
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Keep_it_working_-_Thunderbird
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/archived-messages
You could also create folders under Local Folders and move the older message there.

HT4527 I want to move my music onto my computer, I have music stored on my laptop not in itunes, how do i put it into an itunes media folder and consolidate it without itunes?

Basically I didnt have enough room to consolidate my itunes libary on my C drive, I moved them to my D, they then were no longer in my itunes libary, I moved them back but the songs are still no longer in my libary. This is not a major issue, the problem is getting all my music into a itunes media folder and then consolidating it without the use of iTunes.

Copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder from old computer to /Music/ on new computer.
Launch iTunes.
That is all you need to do.

If I move my iTunes media folder to an external hard drive, will Time Machine still back up that externally-located iTunes library?

To be precise, I've moved my iTunes Media Library to the same external hard drive where my TM backups are stored, although there's plenty of free space on that drive for both.
As I write that, however, it strikes me that if that external drive fails, I've lost my entire iTunes media directory AND my TM backup. So I suppose I should use a separate external HD for each, right?
But my main question is whether or not TM will still back up that iTunes media folder even if it's no longer located on the same boot drive as my main machine, which is a Mac Mini.
The whole reason I'm doing this is because my MM has a 250GB solid-state drive that is rapidly filling up because my iTunes library is 150+GB.

mende1 says:
I recommend you to store the library on another partition on the external disk and keep the first volume only for Time Machine backups.
and you say:
As I write that, however, it strikes me that if that external drive fails, I've lost my entire iTunes media directory AND my TM backup. So I suppose I should use a separate external HD for each, right?
From what people report here I'd say more people lose collections through whole drives failing and not just individual volumes becoming corrupt. A drive failing will take out all volumes on that drive.
Whatever the scenario, you will need multiple external drives. For convenience you could do as mende1 suggests and partition the TM drive. Keep TM on one part and your library on the other. This would be convenient because then you would only have one external connected to your Mac most of the time. However, then you should do as you observe and back up the partition used for iTunes to another external drive as often as you deem necessary. Basically you always want two copies of everything on two different drives, but they don't all have to be on the same two drives. Your TM drive acts as the backup for your computer and the primary for iTunes. Your computer acts as the primary for what's on TM and the second external acts as the backup for iTunes.

Cannot move iTunes Media Folder

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