I want to use my iTunes library with multiple Windows computers

I want to put my entire iTunes library on a server and then allow any of the 4 - windows laptops, 1 - windows desktop, various iPods, an iPad 1, and a Samsung Tablet to gain access to use it. 3 of the laptops are Windows 8, the desktop and one laptop is Windows 7. I don't mind having multiple iTunes accounts set up. I just want to make sure that when a song is purchased or uploaded from a CD or whatever that it all goes into this central location so that everyone has access to it. How do I make that happen?

1. Yes you can do that.
2. But you shouldn't.
3. There's no need to anyway.
This thread
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3062728?tstart=0
Will tell you more on how, and why not, and why what you want to do is making more for for exactly zero extra capability.
Or, put another way, maybe iPhoto is not the app for you.

Similar Messages

Can I share one iTunes Library with multiple computers on a network?

Can I share one iTunes Library with multiple computers on a network?
note: one library universally shared, not Home Sharing (one library each, shared to each.)
I want to share one library stores on my server and access it through various local computers. When I buy a song from a computer (non-server), I want it to be added to the library (stored on server). I want it to auto copy to my server, for organization. I want to be able to sync my phone from any computer.
Most of this I can do, if i figure out how to use one universal library for all my computers.
Any ideas how I can do this?

eyeinit,
You can authorize your iTunes account on up to 5 computers at a time.
However, purchased music is downloaded to the first machine to download it, but these articles have more information on moving your music between authorized computers:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93063
This one is for moving all your music using an iPod as a storage drive
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300173
Hope this helps,
Nathan C.

How do I use one iTunes account with multiple macs?

I have a Mac mini and am getting a MacBook Pro. I want to use my iTunes library that currently resides on my mini on my MacBook as well without jacking up anything.
I have an iPhone, an iPad Air and a classic iPod that are all sync'ed to the iTunes on the mini.

Hello blcampbell
There are many different ways to handle this and the easiest way is to migrate you data is to use Migration Assistant. It will migrate not only your music but also other content from your Mac Mini. If all you want is music, you can always just select that as an option. The article below will guide you through that option plus a few others if you are unsure how you want to proceed.
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527
Regards,
-Norm G.

New to Apple products (finally) - can I use my Itunes account with multiple products e.g. Iphone and Ipad?

New to Apple products (finally) - can I use my Itunes account with multiple products e.g. Iphone and Ipad?

Oh yes! Apple will be happy for you to buy as many Apple products as you can afford.
As and when needed, each can be given its own selections of content to sync with.
tt2

Using same iTunes library with external hard drive (EHD) on different PCs

I know some of the issues related to this question have been touched on in different discussions but I don't think I have seen a clear yes/no and if yes, here's how, answer to my queries, so here goes.
Like another member, I would like to take my iTunes library with me when I'm away on holiday so that I can (for example) use an Apple TV with Home Sharing to watch movies in my library or pay albums in my music library while on holiday, in the same way as I am able to at home. I have a Samsung NC 10 notebook running Windows XP (which I would take with me with a Samsing Story EHD) and a Dell desktop. My iTunes media folders are now on the EHD and I think I have iTunes library files on the Dell and on the Samsung. Of course, if iTunes Match covered movies as well as music, I would use that and just take my Apple TV with me ... but it doesn't and seems not likely to.
By messing around and not properly understanding some of the discussions about this topic, I think my iTunes library looks as I expect it to be, on my Dell - though I have yet to test this by doing a synch with my iPad or iPod Touch. However, when I plug the EHD into the Samsung and open my library, I am missing at least one movie and I don't have any artwork showing for any of the movies. This is inspite of clicking Get Album Artwork, Consolidate Files and clicking to add, as a file (or folder) to the library, the missing movie which is on the EHD in the Movies folder of the iTunes Media. In iTunes on the Samsung "Preferences>Advanced", the iTunes media location (on my EHD) is correct.
I have obviously messed something up trying to replicate my Dell desktop iTunes library on the Samsung. So:
can/should I start again (if that is the best thing to do) with getting my iTunes library properly on to my Samsung notebook? And, if yes, how do I do that?
is it really possible to have all that you need to run and use iTunes on an EHD (i.e. both media folders and the various iTunes library files (.itl, .itdb, .xml etc.)) so that whenever I plug the EHD into my Dell or Samsung I can access my iTunes library in the same way and via the same files? Or, do you always have to have the library files (at least) located on the PC you are connecting your EHD to (showing my ignorance here! )?
if you can have all the library files as well as media on the EHD (i.e. all of your iTunes library), I assume there is more to moving these from the C drive in my Dell to the EHD, than just cutting and pasting them into the EHD and then deleting similarly named files in C drive in the Samsung?
if all of my iTunes library can be located in the EHD, would I just access that (i.e. open my iTunes library) - whether on my Dell or the Samsung - by pressing the Shift key when clicking on iTunes as a programme on my Dell or Samsung, or - and I appreciate this is more basic computer knowledge than iTunes query - does the fact that I would need to access iTunes via some form of link on the relevant PC indicate why some iTunes library files would always have to reside on the PC rather than the EHD?
if the iTunes library files have to stay on the relevant PC, how can they be kept in synch - i.e. the more portable Samsung offering the same access and picture of my iTunes library as the Dell does - or is iTunes just not set up to do this, in which case I might as well ignore trying to replicate my iTunes library on the Samsung?.
Apologies for this long list of questions. Any pointers to where the answers lie or even better specific answers themselves would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks.

I think that's yes, yes, yes, yes, and not necessary...
Make a split library portable
Here are the typical layouts for the iTunes folders:
In the layout above right, with the media folder (everything in the red box) inside the library folder, the library is considered to be portable. A portable library can be moved from one path to another without breaking the links from the library to the media, and being self-contained it is much easier to backup and restore. (You do backup, don't you?).
You can rearrange things to make a split library portable by taking a number of small steps which don't break the library.
Before you start any media files that are outside of the media folder will need to be consolidated. If the library is in the old style layout then it should be upgraded to iTunes Media Organization (Library > Organize Library > Rearrange files in the folder <Media Folder>) to ensure that iPod Games, Mobile Applications etc. are brought inside the media folder, otherwise the links to these won't survive changes in the path of the library.
The basic non-fatal manipulations are:
You can create or connect to an alternate set of library files by holding down Shift (Win) or Option (Mac) when starting iTunes. (Note iTunes will continue to use this library until you use the same method again.)
You can move the library files to a new location and connect to it there as long as the media stays put.
You can move the library files and the media together if the media folder is a direct subfolder of the library folder.
If you have already moved/copied the media content from a subfolder of the library folder to a different location then you only need to copy the library files for it to appear as if you have moved the entire library in the way allowed above. I.e. just copy the library files into the parent folder of the media folder.
You can rename the media folder to iTunes Media (if it isn't already) if the media folder is inside the library folder.
iTunes uses the name of the folder holding the library files as the window title. Having made a library "portable" you may need to take a final step of renaming the library folder to iTunes or, if the library files have ended up at the root of a drive, moving all of the library files and content folders into a new folder called iTunes.
IMPORTANT: After each change you need to open, test and close the relevant library before attempting another change. If a change broke the library, undo it or revert to using the previous set of library files.
In essence all you need to do to join up a split library and make it portable is copy the library files into the parent folder of the media folder on the external/secondary drive and use the hold-down-shift/option-when-starting-iTunes method to connect to it. Other manipulations may be required to normalize the library so that the library and media folders have standard names.
tt2

Using one iTunes library with Vista and XP on a single PC

Since I have converted my whole CD collection into AAC, my iTunes library
is quite large. I have now installed Vista on a second partition as dual-boot
with my old XP. I would like to access my iTunes library with both OSs - but can (and how) this be done ? I already changed the location in both Itunes to the same path, but the second iTunes running under Vista isnt able to import the songs.
Any hints?
Thanks in advance,
Andy

It's the "itunes library.itl" file in Windows, and the same thing without the itl file extension on Macs.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
You might be able to get it to update both copies in each partition with something like TuneRanger or SuperSync. That would run into some money, esp a Tune Ranger license for both Mac and Windows.
Why not put your ITL file on a USB stick or external hard drive, and run your itunes library from that? You can tell the Mac to use the .itl for iTunes by changing properties on it. That's what I did so I can sync my iPods from either my XP PC or Mac and not get that dratted message about "iPod synced to another library".

HT3819 How does this work if i want to share my itunes library with my daughter who has an ipod touch with a different Apple ID??

How do i share my itunes library with my daughter who has an ipod touch with her own separate Apple ID???

Can you help me...is it possible to do Home Sharing with my brother who has his own Apple ID for his devices (iPhone, iPod, iPad, MacBook) when I have my own Apple ID for my iPad and iPod? Please explain if possible. Thanks....

Using one music library with multiple user accounts

I want to use one Music Library and be able to have all my computer user accounts be able to access it. Article 93195 does not work for some reason. It is easy to share music over a network but not on the same computer? This can't be. I have talked to several Apple "Geniuses" and they all scratch their head. One guy could do it in Leopard, but not in Tiger. Could it have something to do with the permissions of the Itunes Music Folder? Any help would be appreciated. This is driving me crazy.

1 Quit iTunes.
2 Drag your entire *iTunes folder* from /Username/Music to /Users/Shared.
3 Log out.
1 Log in on your other account(s).
2 Start iTunes and immediately press an hold the Option key.
3 iTunes will ask to *Create new library* or *Choose existing library*. Select *Choose existing library*.
4 Select the *iTunes library file* in the *iTunes folder* in /Users/Shared.
5 Now go to File -> *Add to library* and select the *iTunes music folder* located in /Username/Music.
6 - iTunes will add all the music in from this account to the main iTunes music folder/library.
7 Delete the *iTunes folder* in /Username/Music
8 Restart iTunes normally (don't hold Option). Everything should be there.
9 Quit iTunes and log out of the account.
10 Do the above steps for all users. Don't do the first 1-3 steps. Start at the second series.
Log into your account, start iTunes normally and all music should be there.
Whenever any of you do anything in iTunes, it will be seen by all since you are using one and the same iTunes library file.
Create a "main" playlist for each user with their own music. Create a smart playlist and set it to Playlist is not the playlist you created above. Select this and it will show you everything NOT in your playlist. Do the same for the others. This will help when adding only the music you want your own playlist.
Note that iTunes can only be opened by one user at a time. If you have Fast user switching enabled, the other users must quit iTunes in order for anyone else to use it.

Using the same library with multiple computers over a network Use Aperture

Hi Everyone. I am researching some cataloguing/editing programs to recommend one to my boss, and I was wondering if it was possible to use the same library between multiple computers on a network. Does anyone know if this is possible? This may be what makes or breaks the decision on whether or not to go with Aperture as we need a program that can access a large database of photos on multiple computers.
Thank you.

Welcome to the forum.
You can do it, but...
It's not supported by Apple.
Performance won't be great unless you're running a really fast network.
If more than one person tries to access the Library at one time you're likely to end up with a corrupted database, and there's no code in Aperture to limit access to one person at a time.
The Library must be stored on an HFS+ volume - don't even try putting it on a FAT32-formatted drive.
If you want 'proper' multi-concurrent-user network-enabled cataloguing software you're looking into a whole different level of investment than the low price of Aperture - think more in terms of thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.
Ian

How to share Itunes library with multiple users on same laptop

I have a macbook pro and am the administrator. I have a profile for my daughter as well. How can I share my itunes library with her without manually loading all the songs on her profile which would take up more memory. Can someone please send me a step by step guide as I am struggling with this. Thanks. Jasu UK.

Move the iTunes library to a location accessible by all accounts on the computer, such as /Users/Shared/ on a Mac, which can be done from the Advanced section of the iTunes preferences. Next, open her copy of iTunes, turn off the option to automatically copy songs to the iTunes Music folder from the same section of the preferences, and drag the folder into the open iTunes window.
(33546)

Using a single iTunes library with multiple logins.

I've setup my iMac to have multiple logins for everyone in my family. I'd like everyone to use the same iTunes library, though, so that all purchases and playlists can be seen and used by everyone. I have it so that everyone has the same files, but not the same library. That is, the playlists don't come through on the other logins, and purchases made from one login don't translate to another.
I'm not trying to rip anyone off, I just want my whole family to have the same library.
Is this possible?

padrepablo wrote:
Thanks much, but I've done that. That method shares FILES but not the LIBRARY
Then you missed a step or two.
The steps above share the entire iTunes library (media, artwork, playlists, library file, Genius files, everything).
In the Music/iTunes folder on everyone's login is a file called iTunes Library.itl.
Yes, and holding Option and selecting Choose library allows you to select which iTunes library you want to use.
THAT is the file I want to share, but I can't seem to move it.
The steps above will do exactly what you want.
All users will use the exact same iTunes library.
You need to hold Option and select Choose library (notice is says, "Library").
Once you copy your /Music/iTunes/ folder to /Users/Shared/ folder, everyone can delete /Username/iTunes/ folder.

Using a single itunes library with multiple iphones?

My wife got an iPhone 3GS recently and I already have a 4S. I plan to use an existing iTunes install on a single PC to manage them both. I see that Apple support articles say it's worth keeping iTunes libaries separate (with separate Windows user accounts) when there are multiple iPhones using iTunes on one PC.
I like to manually manage music, videos and podcasts in my iTunes library rather than use synching. I like the idea of having a shared pool of music, videos and apps for us both to use. I know apps that are purchased on my iPhone or my wife's are linked to a specific apple ID so that means if she transfers any apps that were bought on my phone originally, her phone will ask her for my apple ID password when they get updates. But sharing passwords with eachother isn't a problem.
I can create a second user account for my wife easily, but I kind of have the feeling I'd prefer to share a single library as I say.
Are there any other reasons I need to keep 2 user accounts and 2 iTunes libraries going when I manually manage the transfer of content?
Cheers.

MikeBelfast wrote:
I can create a second user account for my wife easily, but I kind of have the feeling I'd prefer to share a single library as I say.
Adn this can easily be done.
Move your /Music/iTunes/ folder to a Shared directory (such as /Users/Public/ folder) and everyone can use this single library.
Each user must quit iTunes before the other can open it.
Just hold Shift, launch iTunes, select Choose library... and select the iTunes folder in the shared directory.
The big advantage with separate Windows user accounts, data such as photos, calendars, emails, and everything else will be separate.

Using Current iTunes Library With New Nano

My daughter's iPod Mini seems to have played it's last song and a new 2G Nano is on it's way. Is there anything that I need to do that may not be printed in the manual to transfer her current iTunes library on our PC to the new Nano? We run Windows XP. Should all of her Playlists transfer as well? Will there be any issue of these songs already being on her old (an now dead) iPod?
Thank you for your help!!
Nano Second Generation Windows XP Upgrading from Mini

Thank you very much for the information. I'm looking
forward to trying this when it comes this week.
While you're waiting, you might whet your appetite by reading the manual: http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/iPodnano_2nd_Gen_FeaturesGuide.pdf

How to share one iTunes library with multiple computers AND Apple TV? Help?

It seems like my dilemma may not be easily solved. Hopefully it isn't as complicated as I think it will be. Here's the situation:
My wife hates that, in order to see or do anything with the images she takes, I need to have iPhoto open on my computer (Mac Pro), and she then has to connect to it over sharing.
By the same token, I don't like that she buys iTunes content on her MacBook, which is sometimes a duplicate of content I already have. Now that the App Store is out, that is going to start getting really expensive.
So instead, I want us to be able to:
1) Have ONE iTunes library on the network, and ONE iPhoto library. Both of these would be accessible to any computer on the network. When you launch iTunes, you would get all the media that is in that library.
2) Both be able to access iTunes at the same time to listen to / watch content.
3) Both be able to purchase iTunes content, and when it it purchased, it updates that single library. If I buy a song, the next time my wife fires up iTunes, that song is there for her to listen to.
4) Have our two Apple TV units be able to play content from this library.
So, I know that we need something on the network. I have a Drobo with DroboShare, so that is one option. I also have a spare Mac Pro laying around, along with a copy of OS X Leopard Server.
I just don't know what route we should take with this. All I want is for us to share a library, to be able to both use that library, for us to be able to sync content from that library to our portable devices, and for our Apple TVs to also see that library.
Possible?!

I'm sort of in the same boat. We've got an iMac with separate User Accounts set up and are currently sharing the same iTunes and iPhoto libraries along with streaming them to our Apple TV.
Right now I'm the only one with an iPod, however she'll be getting one in a couple of weeks.
We also just picked up a MacBook yesterday and I'd like to be able to sync certain libraries like iTunes and iPhoto so that no content gets duplicated on either the iMac or MacBook and so that we both have access to the current libraries for each program on our iPods and AppleTV.
I have an external hard drive that I back up the iMac on and I assume I could manually keep things current with that but there's got to be an easier way...that's why these are Macs right?
Bill

How to use one I-tunes library with multiple windows users (family) on 1 pc

On our family pc we log in with different accounts. We want to use I-Tunes but all have the same library. I tried to create a library not in the users directory, but in the All Users folder that is accessible for everyone. However, when I import the music in the library for one user and set the same location for another user, I-tunes does not recognize the library. So everyone has to create it's own library.
What are the best practices to overcome this?

Keep in mind that what you have done now is you have multiple iTunes libraries accessing the same media folder. Meaning, that each account can have their own ratings, playlists, etc. but more importantly, each account does NOT know what the other account does, so if your daughter adds a CD to her account, it will go into the shared folder, but it will NOT automatically go into your wife's iTunes library. She would have to add it manually. Likewise, if one account deletes music from their library and tells iTunes to remove it to the trash, the other accounts will not know and iTunes will still try to access the file from the shared location even though the file is now trashed.
Each account has their own database files (.itl files in the iTunes folder) which stores this stuff.
If you want to have everyone use the exact same library which means the same ratings, playlists, etc. then you need to move the database files into that same location and set each iTunes account to read the same data.
How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304447
Patrick

I want to use my iTunes library with multiple Windows computers

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