Consolidating iTunes Media folders - Making sure I have all my music
I have over years of use, ended up with multiple iTunes Media folders on different hard drives, each with much of the same music but also each with some different music. I want to consolidate all of this into one (and only one) Master iTunes Media Folder. I know I could manually go through each sub folder and compare the songs in each and eventually (perhaps once I reach age 100) get this all together. BUT there has to be an easier way. Please instruct me - I love to learn. Thanks
At a guess you followed the process in HT1364 - iTunes for Windows: Moving your iTunes Media folder which would have moved the media folder to a new path of your choice. This process leaves the library database files back in the original location of <User's Music>\iTunes. Often people assume that all they need is now on the external drive and wipe the internal drive, or discard their old computer, before backing up the all important iTunes folder. If you have a backup of your user's profile folder from before the upgrade the iTunes library folder should be in there somewhere. Restore it to <User's Music> and your original library should pop back into existence. The external drive would need to have the same drive letter that it had previously.
A more effective way to relocate the library is to move the entire iTunes folder to the external drive, then hold down shift when starting iTunes and keep holding until asked to choose or create a library. You would then choose the file iTunes Library.itl in the iTunes folder on the external drive. If this is the way you moved the library before then that is how you should now reconnect to it. Changing the media folder in preferences doesn't change which .itl database file is opened, nor does double-clicking on an .itl file directly.
If you no longer have the original .itl file then you will have to build a new library and import the media to it. If you need to do this I would recommend you create a new library at F:\iTunes, then move your existing media folders inside F:\iTunes\iTunes Media before importing. This will avoid the creation of duplicates and make sure the library is in the correct shape going forwards.
If you have an iPod or iOS device my scripts ImportDevicePlaylists and SyncStats may well let you recover ratings, play counts & playlists from the device.
When you've fixed up your libray you should consider getting a second external drive to backup to.
tt2
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I should mention that, for the first problem, I do make sure that my new tracks are stored in the folder where I told iTunes that my music is in. Also, when I say the cataloging of my library stops short of cataloging all my songs, I have tried leaving the computer unattended for days (my computer's sleep mode is disabled). It always stops before cataloging all of my music regardless of whether I am doing something else while iTunes is cataloging, or if I just let iTunes be the only program that's open during the cataloging process.
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If doesn't work try use the instructions below BUT in BOTH folders, first in SourceList and after in the Media.
Start>Run put regedit and press Ok.
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2. Right click in Media folder, select Permissions from the menu.
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How do I consolidate two separate iTunes Media folders?
Apparently I have to separate iTunes Media folders. There is the one in the default location ( folder named "iTunes Media" in ~/Music/iTunes/ where the tilde "~" represents your home directory.) and one on my external harddrive. They BOTH have updates in varying folders.
At one point I moved my folder to the external drive, and thought I kept everything consolidated. When looking at the Advanced Preferences window (iTunes/Preferences/Advanced) it has my Media Folder location in the correct place, the external drive.
BUT I apparently have still be downloading SOME podcasts, mobile apps, and a couple of other things into an iTunes media folder in it's original / default location.
I have no idea why the original folder is there or how long I've been adding files to this dual media nightmare.
I'm just trying to figure out the easiest way to combine the two files.
Can I drag and drop the contents of folders from the default media into the external media? Or do I have to worry abut iTunes knowing where to look for these files? Why do I still have some podcasts and apps downloading into the default folder and some downloading into the external one?
I REALLY dont want to start over and deal with rebuilding my iTunes Media, because I know I'll loose lots of data or end up with tons of duplicates (it happened once before when switching between harddrives).
Thanks for any insight.Hello Q-too_cool
I would start with checking out the article that talked about dealing with multiple devices on one computer. That is going to be the best way to have two accounts on one computer.
How to use multiple iPhone, iPad, or iPod devices with one computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1495
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Regards,
-Norm G. -
How do I prevent itunes from moving my music from its original place ie folders in an external drive when I play music from itunes. I have all my music in artist folders and separated by MPG3/MPG4 and FLAC folders within the artist folder and itunes moves the track/s whenever i try and load selected music to my ipod/iphone. I've tried to find some sort of preference to prevent this, but no joy? What am I missing?
Try opening iTunes preferences. Then click on advanced tab. Then uncheck "Copy files to iTunes media folder when adding to library." By default, iTunes copies music to its own media folder when you use iTunes to play the music.
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Restructuring iTunes media folders for Home Movies
I'm working with Final Cut Pro X and it should have the ability to "share" edited videos into Apple Devices (like iTunes and Apple TV), and as I understand it, the video files should be stored in Home>Music>iTunes>iTunes Media>Home Movies.
But that's not what happens on my system.
I've tried to add the folder myself, but it doesn't seem to be taking. So I'm wondering if this is more of an automatic structure that gets built on the fly.
I'm currently using iTunes 11.1.0.50. However, all my music and podcast is actually stored on an external drive. (I don't know if that has anything to do with my problem)
Does anybody have insight into how iTunes file structure is built, and how/if I can make this work for me?I figured it out (with the help of Apple Support)...
In the iTunes preferences, under the Advanced tab, I needed to check the box to "Copy files to iTunes Media Folder when adding to library."
Sure enough, doing so creates the folder that the video file can be stored in.
I had unchecked it so that I wouldn't bog down my laptop's hard drive with all my music. So each time I share my videos, I'll have to first go in to iTunes and check that box. -
Keeping two iTunes Media Folders (and libraries) in sync
Hi all,
Here's my situation... I can't be the only person looking for an answer to this. (Can I?)
At home I have a Mac Mini with my music collection on it managed by iTunes. I have the same at work. I also have Chronosync set up to nightly syncronize my iTunes Media folders. Obviously, this is just step one.
What I'd ultimately like is to be able to change files or add media at either location (through iTunes) and not only have the files moved by Chronosync but also have the iTunes libraries updated. Is there a way to do this via AppleScript or some other solution? I looking to keep two iTunes Media folders mirrored and have iTunes' library be updated at the same time (or on a regular basis).
Thanks in advance!
AIt sounds like a question for whoever wrote Chronosync. I have never heard of it and have no idea what it is or what it does. Generally you ask questions related to third party software on the software's own support forum. What you need it to do is synchronize the whole iTunes folder, not just media files. The library.itl file contains most of the actual playlist and content data but things also get updated in the artwork folder, and some other files (mostly also in the iTunes folder).
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
Apple's solution is to have you buy all your music from Apple and use the automatically download new purchases set on both computers. Of course it isn't a complete solution. For example, if you change the rating on one computer it won't change it on the other since all you're doing is downloading a file from a third place (the store) to both other places (computers). -
Changing (Not Re-Locating) ITunes Media Folders
I have two iTunes media folders on my computer system. The first is an outdated Media Folder on my C: drive. The second is an updated Media Folder on an external hard drive. For reasons that are not worth explaining, iTunes was inadvertently re-directed to the Media Folder on my C: drive. I have redirected iTunes to the correct location on my external hard drive using the Advanced Preferences menu. However, iTunes is asking me "Would you like iTunes to move and rename the files in your new folder to match the keep iTunes media folder organized preferences?"
If I click "Yes" will this cause the Media Folder on the external hard drive to match the outdated playlist data on the C: drive?
If I click "No" will this maintain any playlist data in the updated Media Folder on the external hard drive?
Is there an entirely different procedure I need to follow if I want to change ITune Media Folders from the C: drive to the external hard drive while maintaining any playlist data on the external hard drive?As Ed says, that's the way it works. For any similar group decide which of the two forms you think is correct and then use it consistently in Artist, Album Artist, and Composer when relevant. While not the ultimate arbiter of fact Wikipedia suggests that Bee Gees is the correct form in this example.
See my article on Grouping tracks into albums for more.
tt2 -
I just installed iTunes on my computer, where I already have all my music. I went to Edit > Preferences > Advanced, and changed the iTunes Media Folder Location to where I have all my music, in the "Local Disk." But iTunes wont import all my music. Help?
Have you looked in the Music App on your iPhone? On the iPhone music is played by the Music App not iTunes.
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is there a way to organise the files in itunes media into playlists? i have a large playlist that i wish to add to a hard drive but i don't want to have to look up each file location separately.
You cannot put music onto your iPod without using iTunes, that what iTunes is for.
It's also not a good idea to wipe the music from your computer and having it only on your iPod. We see countless posts here from people who have done just that - and then lost everything when the iPod needs a Restore. Even if you never need to Restore your iPod, what happens when you eventually replace the iPod? You'll be back here asking how to get the music from one iPod to another. That's not easy to do, we see countless posts about that too!
A much better idea is to buy an external drive (a proper external drive, not simply an iPod) and put your large amount of music onto that drive. Then point your iTunes Library to that drive. However, you need to remember two things:
You still need a backup of that Library.
Using an external drive as your iTunes Library means that the drive must be connected and ready to read before starting your iTunes programme. If it isn't, then iTunes will look on the C: drive - and you will find no music in your Library. (Once again, lots of posts about that as well!) -
I rcvd an AppleService email
Due to recent updates we are asking many of our customers to confirm their information this is nothing to worry about. We are making sure we have the correct information on file and that you are the rightful account holder. Failure to comply with this may result in your account being suspended.
Is this real or a scam?If you changed your Apple ID, you will not be able to update any of the content that you used in the past. The worse case scenario here would have been to change the password. Really all you needed to do was go on the Apple site and change the password, unless you provided them with information. This will make it difficult for you to deal with turning off Find My iPhone and other Apple ID related steps. All you really needed to do was delete the email.
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Well!
If you have ThunderBolt, I would go with such for an External Working Drive, spinning platter or SSD depending on your budget
This does not have to be huge just big enough to house your most current Jobs
Once the Current Job is put to rest I would move it to a larger multi bay hard drive unit, USB or FireWire nothing fancy, no RAID, set up as one single Disk
This would only be accessed when something is needed from a past Job so the connection does not have to be speedy
The Drobo would be relegated to Vaults and backups
You can set up a Vault on the Drobo to back up the External Working Library and then Reconnect it when you have moved the Library over to the other Enclosure
This has worked for me pretty smoothly for a long while, but I have found over the years that one can not assume all people work in the same manner! :-) -
My Iphone 4 will not send regular SMS messages. I have tried resetting my phone and by restoring and making sure i have SMS turned on. I receive them but can not send them. imessages work also. Plus my cellular data keeps randomly turning off. any ideas? Thank you
Yes I have turned imessage off a number of times and that does not seem to he doing the trick, and it is not delivering them then I have to press on the photo and either chose try again or send as text message, I have had the setting on to not allow sending pictures as texts (so they can only send as imessage) since I got my phone in January and it has always worked until now, I have turned that off to allow me to send them as picture messages now but it's still not working over iMessage, I have also tried it using 3G and not wifi
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I have all my music on my ipod but I can't get that music onto my new laptop , how do I do that?
At a guess you followed the process in HT1364 - iTunes for Windows: Moving your iTunes Media folder which would have moved the media folder to a new path of your choice. This process leaves the library database files back in the original location of <User's Music>\iTunes. Often people assume that all they need is now on the external drive and wipe the internal drive, or discard their old computer, before backing up the all important iTunes folder. If you have a backup of your user's profile folder from before the upgrade the iTunes library folder should be in there somewhere. Restore it to <User's Music> and your original library should pop back into existence. The external drive would need to have the same drive letter that it had previously.
A more effective way to relocate the library is to move the entire iTunes folder to the external drive, then hold down shift when starting iTunes and keep holding until asked to choose or create a library. You would then choose the file iTunes Library.itl in the iTunes folder on the external drive. If this is the way you moved the library before then that is how you should now reconnect to it. Changing the media folder in preferences doesn't change which .itl database file is opened, nor does double-clicking on an .itl file directly.
If you no longer have the original .itl file then you will have to build a new library and import the media to it. If you need to do this I would recommend you create a new library at F:\iTunes, then move your existing media folders inside F:\iTunes\iTunes Media before importing. This will avoid the creation of duplicates and make sure the library is in the correct shape going forwards.
If you have an iPod or iOS device my scripts ImportDevicePlaylists and SyncStats may well let you recover ratings, play counts & playlists from the device.
When you've fixed up your libray you should consider getting a second external drive to backup to.
tt2 -
Ive got a new iMac and now that i updated iTunes I do not have all my music and movie purchases. How can I get it all back?. I used to have it before update
It doesn't magically transfer itself, you have to do it. Purchase may present themselves for re-downloading but things such as CD are only on the old machine or on the CD.
Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings: Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive. Open iTunes and immediately hold down the option (alt) key (shift on Windows) so you get a prompt to select a library, then guide it to the 'iTunes Library.itl' file in the moved iTunes folder. If you put the copied iTunes folder in the default location of Macintosh HD > Users > *User Name* > Music then you don't even need to start with the option key held down, iTunes will automatically look for it there. (Make sure there isn't anything already in the iTunes folder there that you want to keep since you will be replacing it with the one you are moving.)
Downloading (using iOS or computer) past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519 - enabled with iTunes 10.3 and newer; not all media formats are available in all countries (see: iTunes in the Cloud, iTunes Match, and iTunes Radio availability by country - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5085); apps, books (not audiobooks), music, t.v. shows, and movies (some - not all studios have permitted this). Downloading previously purchased movies and TV shows requires iTunes 10.6 or later. Discontinued items not available. For items not included in the iCloud list (e.g., ringtones, audiobooks), or locations or computer systems where iCloud is not (yet?) available, you only get one download per fee paid. Apple recommends, "... back up your iTunes library. " (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519).
Additional tip at https://discussions.apple.com/message/24176756#24176756
Select the iTunes Store on the left side of iTunes if you have the sidebar displayed, or with the button at the top right.
Click on Purchased on the right side under Quick Links.
You can re-download your available previous purchases.
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