How to create a new iTunes on an external HD

After a series of issues, copying and recopying libraries etc, I finally have all the music/media I want in one location.  All items have at one point been a part of an iTunes library.  I could never get iTunes to find the correct library again so I decided to start from scratch.  So... I want to keep the media on an external hard drive.  I have a folder named iTunes Music full of all my media on the external drive. I am not moving an already created library.  At this moment there is not a library, just an iTunes program and a pile of music.  I want to make them one on the external drive.  I have the following questions:
1- Do I want the actual iTunes program to live on the hard drive as well?  Advantages / disadvantages? I have an AppleTV that communicates with the computer too.  Will one set up work better than the other?
2. Upon creating a new library, will my big folder full of media actually be copied to another location or will it simply be maneged by itunes with out creating another duplicate file full of music?
I believe I have had it set up correctly in the past.  Out of all this, the only thing that matters to me is that the music stay on the external drive.  Otherwise I am open to any configuration someone may recommend.
I know this is all pretty simple but its been too long since played with it and I couldn't find anything that explained it clearly.
Thanks.

It sounds like you have made things more complicated than they would have been if you had done the entire move at one step from the start.  It is very easy to move an entire library to another drive but now that you have managed to split it up it takes more steps to get it back together again.
Copy your iTunes folderfrom the internal drive to the external drive.  Hold down  the option/alt key while starting iTunes and guide it to the library.itl file in the copied folder.  Hopefully all will still work well but you will now be running it all off the external drive.
It is best to keep all iTunes files inside the iTunes folder.  To do this you will need to organize/consolidate so they are moved to the correct location inside the moved folder.
iTunes 11 for Mac: Change where your iTunes files are stored - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH12165 - more information at: https://discussions.apple.com/message/22026652 - and steps 5-8 in https://discussions.apple.com/message/24491967

Similar Messages

  • How to create a new iTunes window ?

    I want to create a new iTunes window which will have only classical music.
    I tried first other options (you cannot move, only copy to playlist) :
    I created a subfolder and moved (actually copied) the tracks. I then try to erase the tracks from the main folder but it will also erase the tracks in the subfolder.
    I then try to uncheck (in the main) but then it uncheck also in the subfolder.
    How can I have these tracks in the subfolder and not in the main folder ?
    I guess if I create a new window it will work but I forgot how to do this (I knew it, I did it; I forgot how)

    Try a search

  • How to create a new Itunes Library file

    Hi all, I stoe all my Itunes music / photos / vids etc on an external hard drive and recently decided to erase and reinstall Mac OS X (Mac was running slow). I still have all my music on the external drive but need to recreate my itunes library. I tried 'File Add to Library but this just copies all the music back to my HDD.
    Anyone have any ideas?

    Check your preferences and make sure that iTunes recognises that the music folder is on the external drive and doesn't try to use the one in the default location. Connect your drive, open iTunes and go to iTunes>Preferences>Advanced and where it says "iTunes Music folder location" use the Change button to choose the folder on your external.

  • How to i create a new itunes account for my old iphone so i can transfer data to new iphone, since my daughters new iphone is now linked to my acc and she ends up with all my apps and contacts etc

    My daughter has previously had an ipod which was linked to my itunes iphone account.
    she now has a new iphone and has linked this to that account and now she receives all my contacts apps etc when she syncs her account.
    How do i create a new itunes account for my old iphone so that i can transfer data to my new iphone and keep the two seperate so that when she deletes all my contacts and apps and then syncs her phone again we can still be compatible.

    iOS 5 & iCloud Tips: Sharing an Apple ID With Your Family

  • HT1206 I need a work iTunes account for my work system, but used my work email address as an associated email to my personal iTunes account. Now I can't use the work email to create the new iTunes account.  how do I remove the email from my personal accou

    Since I upgraded to Mavericks from Snow Leopard I need a work iTunes account for my work system, but used my work email address as an associated email to my personal iTunes account.
    Now I can't use the work email to create the new iTunes account.  how do I remove the email from my personal account?

    You can long into an account via this page and update the email addresses that you have on it : http://appleid.apple.com

  • I have to create a new iTunes account as I cannot remember the security question answers to my current account, how do I move over my purchases from my current account to my new account?

    I have to create a new iTunes account as I cannot remember the security question answers to my current account, how do I move over my purchases from my current account to my new account?

    fayry wrote:
    ... how do I move over my purchases from my current account to my new account?
    This is not possible...
    Anything Downloaded with a Particular Apple ID is tied to that Apple ID and Cannot be Merged or Transferred to a Different Apple ID.
    Apple ID FAQs  >  http://support.apple.com/kb/HE37

  • I had my Itunes account disabled due to fraud, if i create a new itunes account how can i switch purchases and apps to the new ID?

    i had my Itunes account disabled due to fraud, if i create a new itunes account how can i switch purchases and apps to the new ID?

    Hi ...
    Just be cause the account was disabled (Apple ID) doesn't mean you can't reset the password and have access to your iTunes purchases.
    Use the iforgot link to reset your password > Apple ID: "This Apple ID has been disabled for security reasons" alert appears
    If you have problems resetting, use the email form here >   Apple - Support - iTunes Store - Contact Us
    edited by:  cs

  • HT204081 I recently updated i tunes and had previously relocated my library to an external hard drive, on restart I realized that itunes did not update the new location on the external but created a new itunes folder on my regular hard drive. how do I com

    I need to know how to fix this. I updated itunes and it created a new itunes folder on my hard drive after I ported all of it to an external for space concerns. It took all my files from that folder and recreated part of it to my hard drive. Now when backing up I have no idea where it is backing up to. Any help appreciated

    Sort of. My media was on multiple hard drives, some local, and actually some networked, and then I conolidated it to a single external hard drive. Renaming drives and moving files sounds like a recipe for disaster.
    When doing a consolidation, files are copied to a new location and the old ones are left untouched. Does iTunes create a backup database of the file locations before doing a consolidation? I could use the backup if that were the case, since everything still exists in the original locations.
    I've recieved my replacement hard drive for the one that crashed and I may be able to copy everything back manually if I knew where it went. I looked inside the iTunes Music Library.xml to see if I could figure out the folder structure, but for some reason they all say they're located in the iTunes folder in My Documents. They're not, of course.
    Would the Previous iTunes Library.itl be of any use, or is that for another purpose?

  • I created a new Itunes playlist and when I synch my phone it is not visable as a playlist on my phone (Iphone 6), but it does appear on my computeras a playlist on my phone.  How can I get it to be visable on my phone?

    I created a new Itunes playlist and when I synch my phone it is not visable as a playlist on my phone (Iphone 6), but it does appear on my computer as a playlist on my phone.  How can I get it to be visable on my phone?

    Hi,
    It sounds like there may be some disconnect between the phone and the computer.  Could be a number of things going on, but one way I've been able to fix this issue on several occasions is by completely removing all of the music from the iPhone (Settings > General > Usage > Storage > Manage Storage > Music > swipe 'All Songs' to the left and tap 'Delete') and then re-syncing it from iTunes all at once.  Be sure to disconnect your phone from the computer and close iTunes first.  Keep in mind that any songs that are on the phone but are NOT in the iTunes library will not be synced over after you delete them from the phone.  If the songs on the phone were purchased from the iTunes Store you can transfer them to the computer's iTunes library by connecting the phone to iTunes then selecting File > Devices > Transfer Purchases from [user's] iPhone.
    After deleting all songs from the phone, go back into Settings and check the music storage again to make sure everything was deleted.  If the 'Music' app is not listed anymore, then you should be good to go.  Just to be sure, you can also check the Music app itself and make sure no songs appear there (if songs appear with cloud icons next to them, turn off 'Show All Songs' in Settings > Music and then check the Music app again -- no songs should appear).
    Once you're absolutely sure all songs have been removed from the phone, restart the iPhone, plug it back into the computer, and let iTunes sync.  Give it time to sync everything over at once and make sure the sync doesn't get interrupted.  Everything you've set to sync should sync over properly.
    If it still doesn't sync, there may be a corrupted file in the iOS installation on the phone or in the iTunes installation on the computer.  It's more likely that the issue is in the phone's software, especially if you ever installed an iOS update over Wi-Fi (through the Settings app).  I'd recommend making an iTunes backup and restoring the phone to factory settings through iTunes.  Then set the iPhone up as a new iPhone and test the syncing -- the playlist should sync over properly.  If not, Remove and reinstall iTunes and related software components for Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 - Apple Support.  Then test again.
    Once you get the syncing working with the phone set up as new, restore the phone from your iTunes backup and test the syncing again.  Now that the iOS files have been reinstalled, hopefully the corruption is gone!  If it still doesn't sync properly, the corruption may be somewhere else (in a song in the playlist, in some app data in the backup, etc.).  That could be harder to pinpoint, but don't worry about that for now.  Start simple.
    Good luck!

  • I dropped my macbook and it broke - I bought a new iMac and created a new itunes apple ID, and I forgot what the ID and Password of my broken macbook was - how do i retrieve the lost purchases and music from my forgotten ID?

    I dropped my macbook and it broke - I bought a new iMac and created a new itunes apple ID, and I forgot what the ID and Password of my broken macbook was - how do i retrieve the lost purchases and music from my forgotten ID?
    Regards,

    Well, it's kind of like walking into a bank and saying you forgot your name and address but you want access to your account, still:
    iTunes Customer Service Contact - http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/contact.html > Get iTunes support via Express Lane > iTunes > iTunes Store

  • How do I create a new iTunes account while keeping my old account?

    I have an iTunes account with an Email address that I can no longer access. I have forgotten my password. Apple will not allow me to change my Email address so I cannot change my existing account at this time. I have purchased a lot of music and I do not want to delete the music.  I hope that someday in the far far future, Apple's policy will change and I can reclaim the music that I purchased.
    Anyway, I want to create a new iTunes account without deleting my old account. Is this possible?
    Thanks!

    Howdy! I have tried to change my Email address with Apple. Since I cannot access my old Email address, they will not let me change my password. Since I cannot recall my old password, they will not allow me to change my Email address. I am in a true Catch 22.

  • I just forget the birthday what I create a new iTunes account. How I get it back? Thank you

    I forget the birthday what I have typed when create a new iTunes account. Now I just want to know where I can find it

    If you can't remember your birthday then log into the account via the 'manage your apple id' button on http://appleid.apple.com, select the Password And Security section and answer the two security questions that show - you should then get a screen where you can see and/or change when you were born

  • ITunes keeps creating a new iTunes Library instead of going to my actual iTunes Library on my external drive.

    My old computer died.
    Luckily, my iTunes library is stored on an external drive.
    My new machine is Windows 8 and my old machine was Vista, but I don't think that should cause any problem.
    When I run iTunes, it comes up like a fresh install on a new machine... every time. By default, it creates an iTunes folder in my local drive and as such, has no music in and is a 100% blank slate.
    When I point it to my external drive, and then import the library, it does it. All my music shows up -- after a long time, but it all shows up.
    If I shut down iTunes or reboot, everything goes back to zero again.
    The most disturbing thing about this is that I can't back up properly, because -- although in Preferences it's pointed at my external drive -- it's backing up my iPhone 5 to the local drive in Windows.
    Any idea what's going on here?
    I've gone through this process 5 times already and it's always the same.

    There are two main components to the iTunes library. The media folder which you can adjust via Edit > Preferences > Advanced, and the database file iTunes Library.itl which is normally found in <User's Music>\iTunes. You can choose or create a new iTunes library by holding down shift as you launch iTunes.
    In some cases third party software can interfere with the way iTunes updates its files meaning that either iTunes forgets the previously chosen location, or that the active database is deleted. AVG anti-virus and Sony VIAO Entertainment Platform typically interfere with the database. McAfee has been implicated in the corruption of iTunesPrefs.plist.
    See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash for more details on how you might recover after the library vanishes.
    You may get some improvment by hosting your entire library on the external drive not just the media. E.g. Create a library at X:\iTunes where X: is the drive letter, then move the media into X:\iTunes\iTunes Media before adding it to the library. This will make it easier to backup the library to a second drive and move it between computers when the time comes.
    tt2

  • Should I create a new iTunes Library on my new iMac?

    I have been using a MacPro with multiple hard drives. One such 2TB drive has been the location of my MacPro iTunes library and media files. It takes up about 1.5TB of space with all the music, video and books. I use EyeTV from Elgato to record TV shows/movies, then convert them and transfer to iTunes. I also backup my iPhone and iPad to this iTunes library. I don't use iCloud for this backup.
    I then purchased a new iMac with a 3TB Fusion drive. I plan to hang on to the MacPro to use on my home network as a file server, running "headless" perhaps.I plan to continue to use it for recording TV shows/movies in EyeTV and converting the output to iTunes videos.
    Now I don't know what I should do about an iTunes library on my new iMac. When I got my iMac I migrated my User over to it. However, when I open iTunes, it is asking for me to either create a new iTunes library or open an existing one.
    In my mind I have these options:
    1. Create a new library. Setup up iTunes Sharing. This could work for me to access my large library of music and videos. However if I start backing up my iPhone i will then have backups on both computers. I suppose I could dump or ignore the MacPro iPhone/iPad backups and just create new backups on the iMac iTunes? What about new content I want to add? EyeTV will still be adding new content to the MacPro library. My iMac has no optical drive so if I want to rip a CD/DVD I would still need to use the MacPro for this. So from that perspective, this option may work out the best. What am I missing?
    2. Open the iTunes library on the MacPro and make it my iMac's iTunes library. This seems problematic. If I understand correctly, I can't open this library on both Macs at the same time as this would likley cause issues. So I'd have to make sure I close out of one Mac's iTunes before the other Mac can open iTunes. This would be a pain given that EyeTV opens it up automatically when it is converting video recordings to iTunes video. For iPhone/ipad backups, I'm not sure what would happen here. Would it still backup to the MacPro iTunes library? I suppose it would. Another concern is the the MacPro would always have to be mounted on the iMac before I could access and use the iTunes library. So this options seems potentially frought with issues? On the plus I think this would retain the star ratings and other meta data, right?
    3. What about creating a new library on the iMac but then go into preferences > Advanced and selecting the iTunes media folder that is on the MacPro. This is similar to option 2 above but retains access to the existing library I have on the MacPro. However, I'd lose all my star ratings, and other meta data.
    Is there another option? Which way should I go? I am guessing option 1 is the best option. If you agree, please list caveats and downsides of it. If you disagree, please let me know the best strategy I should use and why.
    Thanks.

    Yes. Just copy all your music to a folder on your external. Then delete the music on your computers hard drive.
    It is not quite that simple. If you do that you will end up with many broken links and will have to re-create your library from scratch .  iTunes does not like it when you move or rename files or folders and doing so between drives is guaranteed to result in exclamation marks indicating you have broken the links to all your media files.
    If you are content with moving the whole library to an external drive (usually the best thing for most people), try:
    iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
    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), then guide it to the new location of the library.

  • HT1918 why do i have to create a new itunes account because I moved to Canada from the U.S.?

    why do i have to create a new itunes account because I moved to Canada from the U.S.?( My current account won't let me change my address to canada so my billing address for account is incorrect, making it impossible for me to buy anything). Will it affect what I am able to put on my device i.e. already downloaded apps, music, etc?

    fayry wrote:
    ... how do I move over my purchases from my current account to my new account?
    This is not possible...
    Anything Downloaded with a Particular Apple ID is tied to that Apple ID and Cannot be Merged or Transferred to a Different Apple ID.
    Apple ID FAQs  >  http://support.apple.com/kb/HE37

Maybe you are looking for