How to move ITunes folder from exterior hard drive to a new computer?

I moved my iTunes folder from my full C: drive, to my F: drive a while back. Somehow it reverted to my C drive again. After changing the path there on the Advanced tab, it would not hold that path. That is one question - how do you save this?
Then, I noticed none of my songs were in the library. So I used File/ "Add to Library" and it started populating my library - but on my C: drive! Even though I dumped my iTunes folder on C - it recreated it and populated the whole library there. Now I'm back where I was to begin with. With iTunes on a full drive where I can not add music.
Please tell me how to add to Library on myF: drive without it reverting to C: drive. OR, my F: drive is on an external hard drive. Does anyone know how to transfer the iTunes library from that to another computer (my laptop)? Maybe that would solve this finally.
Please help me - I've gone crazy with all this transferring that is not working.

I have noticed that if you start iTunes with the external disconnected, it will revert the library to the local location.
When you add songs to your library, and you don't want extra copies made, make sure the Preferences "Keep..." and "Copy..." are both turned off. Then the songs will stay where they are, i.e. the external in your case.

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