.itl extension added to iTunes Library file
Until the 10.4 (80) update, there was no .itl extension on the iTunes Library file. I know this, because i have 9 different iTunes Libraries spread over 4 different external hard drives. I have created Automator "workflows" to switch from one Library to another (and make simultaneous backups). Following the 10.4 (80) update, my Automator "workflows" quit working until I discovered and made the change from "iTunes Library" to "iTunes Library.itl".
I'm wondering if this change was intentional or an oversight and if Apple intends to continue using the .itl extension. When changes like this are made, are they announced somewhere that I should know about? Numerous hours of work on changes to iTunes Libraries were lost when I switched between libaries before noticing the change. I'm guessing that other uses have been affected by the change and that many will not yet have figured out what the problem is. It would be nice if fairly significant changes like this were included in the update release notes. Maybe they were and I missed them?
The iTunes Library file is designed for use by the iTunes app only, so you're unlikely to see notification from Apple.
iTunes Music Library.xml is the public file, though of course not useful for your purpose.
Doug usually notes changes in new iTunes versions, though I don't remember this one coming through:
http://dougscripts.com/itunes/
Wikipedia also has notes on each version:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes_version_history
In summary: if you want to make changes to files owned by apps you're on your own and should test new iTunes versions before deploying :-)
Similar Messages
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.itl error message: The iTunes Library file cannot be saved...
Does anyone know what causes this error message: "The iTunes Library file cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file."
Long story short, I am tranferring my library to a new computer. On the old computer (XP, iTunes 10) it referenced the library from an external hard drive. On the new computer (Windows 7, iTunes 10) it references the C drive (my choosing). I put the iTunes Library folder onto C/Libraries/Music/iTunes/I manually put the .itl file in C/Libraries/Music/iTunes, and it worked (all of the playlists and file data were retrieved successfully). But then iTunes starts giving me that error message, and the .itl dissapears from C/Libraries/Music/iTunes. Then when I try to reopen iTunes I get this message: "The iTunes library .itl file cannot be found or created. The default location for this file is in the "iTunes" folder in the "Music" folder.
Why is iTunes having trobule saving the file? Or do I need to somehow mondify the .itl so that it is functional in this new location (on the old computer it was in a differen folder. THanks for any insight.Hi,
I got to messing around in the iTunes folder and now NOTHing is visible in my iTunes Library. I had made a backup of the ~\My Music\iTunes folder before I messed with anything and so deleted the entire iTunes folder. Then I restored it from the backup. There is still NOTHing in my library.
I can import one item at a time but it's impractical to do it that way due to the volume of music. How can I import All of my music into the library? Is there a way to import an entire directory, consisting of sub-directories and their music - into the library?
Thanks very much.
Mike -
Help! I 'm using an old G4 powerbook, Mac OSX 10.5.8, iTunes ver 10. I have multiple iTunes libraries on an external drive. Everything was fine for a while, then all of the iTunes library files, i.e. iTunes Library.itl, xml, itdb, artwork folder, Media folder, etc mysteriously disappeared! Only the music files remain (thank god) So now when I start iTunes w/option key to choose a library, I can't choose any of them because iTunes won't recognize them. Because all the library stuff is missing. So can I re-create the library files? (I don't care if I lose my ratings)
Or should I create a new empty library on the external drive, then manually move all the music files to the Media folder in the new library?
I tried some stupid ideas like creating a new library just to start iTunes, then going into prefs and advanced, then under iTunes Media folder location, selecting the location of the old library on the external, to see if iTunes would then find all the music which is still there, but no workee.
I'm out of ideas, and I searched the archives.
Help! anyone?
ScottI don't know if this is me adding files to iTunes when the external wasn't connected
it is.
is it OK to just keep deleting that library on the Air?
i wouldn't - at least not until i
mount the external
point iTunes media folder location back to the external via preferences > advanced
consolidate my library via file > library > organize library
The ntfs hasn't seem to be causing any problems, but I've always wanted to know.
in order for your Mac to write to NTFS drives, it needs some help by installing e.g. the NTFS 3G driver. apparently that or something similar is installed on your Mac already. preferably, it would be formatted for Mac but then windows machines would need to have e.g. MacDrive installed to recognize the drive. -
How can I locate my iTunes library files? When I click on my iTunes icon rather than my iTunes files I receive, " The file iTunes Library.itl." cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes." I have already tried to update my iTunes program.
Had same problem and solved it without having to reinstore any music or movies:
1. Delete old Library file
2. Go to the 'Previous iTunes Libraries' folder and copy one of the earlier files - note, they have a date extension, e.g. 'iTunes Library 2011-11-01'.
3. Paste this file in your iTuners folder and rename file by removing the date extension - 'iTunes Library'
You should have all your music and paylists in tact, unless it was a really old previous file. -
I used scripting brigde to add a movie that has size bigger than 5GB, exactly after two minutes iTunes return a failed, but the processing of the file is actually added to iTunes Library successfully. The copying take more than 5 minutes to complete. Why the iTunes Scripting Brigde returned failed when it is actually success? It occurred exactly 2 minutes after submit the request to Scripting Brigde. Is this 2 minutes related to the Apple Event time out? if it does, how do I get around this problem? thx
I can tell you that this is some of the absolutely worst customer service I have ever dealt with. I found out from a store employee that when they are really busy with calls, they have third party companies taking overflow calls. One of those companies is Xerox. What can a Xerox call center rep possibly be able to authorize on a Verizon account? I'm Sure there is a ton of misinformation out there due to this. They don't note the accounts properly or so everyone can see them. I have been transferred before and have asked if they work for Verizon or a third party also and was refused an answer so, apparently they aren't required to disclose that information. I spent a long time in the store on my last visit and it's not just customers that get the runaround. It happens to the store employees as well and it's beyond frustrating.
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Everytime I open iTunes lately...I get all my music thrown out of the library and this annoying message come up...The file “iTunes Library.itl” does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has created a new iTunes library and renamed this file to “iTunes Library (Damaged) 4”. Is this how an apple works? It doesn't? Why all of a sudden is it doing this? Please help. Thank you.
DavidDid you happen to bring this iTunes library over from a windows machine? You might read this kb article to see if it helps http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1451
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ITunes error: "The file iTunes Library.itl does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file."
Every couple of weeks I get this iTunes error after connecting iPod Nano 6th generation. Then it deletes my whole iPod content. I am running Windows 7 x64 Enterprise with latest patches, iTunes 10.2.2.14 and McAfee antivirus.
I tried to reinstall QuickTime + iTunes, clean the system and then reinstall. But this does not work. I also tried to create a brand new library. But no success...
Error: "The file iTunes Library.itl does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has attempted to recover your iTunes library and renamed this file to iTunes Library (Damaged) 3.itl."
Any idea?No I haven't. I tried almost everything possible but without any remarkable shift. I am about to sell my brand new iPod:(
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My computer crashed when I was using Itunes. I got everything up and running and got this message "The File “itunes library.til” does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has attempted to recover your itunes library and renamed it to “iTunes Library (Damaged itl)” Everything loads up put in takes 10 min. then my music playlists are deleted everytime I turn Itunes on. What can I do to solve this problem? Thanks.
Hi shyanne23,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. If your iTunes library file has become damaged in some way, you may want to try recreating your iTunes library and playlists by following this article:
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
Cheers,
- Ari -
My itunes library suddenly that the file “iTunes Library.itl” does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has created a new iTunes library and renamed this file to “iTunes Library (Damaged)”. I use an external hard drive for my Itunes.
The library file appears to have been corrupted. You say you use your external drive but is the whole library on it or only your media? No matter, you will have to rebuild the library file:
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451 -
ITunes library file .itl is locked
I just got a new PC running Windows 7. After retoring my music library from Carbonite I now receive the message, "The iTunes library file .itl is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have write permission for this file" any time I try to open iTunes. Any idea how to fix this? Thanks!
Hello koolaide77,
The article linked below provides some useful troubleshooting steps and information that can help resolve this error.
iTunes for Windows XP: "Disk is locked" or "iTunes folder cannot be found" when installing or opening iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1866
Cheers,
Allen -
Topic.
I used software (SharePod) to retrieve music from my iPod Touch after my original harddrive failed, but the program does not retrieve the iTunes Library file needed to import the metadata into iTunes (though it shows in the program itself). The music backed up with no issue, but I don't have what I need to preserve things like Date Added, Play Count, etc. Any solution if I have only the physical iPod Touch?Yo may be able to extract some info from the backup of the iPod:
iPhone Backup Extractor for Windows and Mac
and Wondershare Dr.Fone for iOS: iPhone Data Recovery - Wondershare Official -
Receiving "The Itunes Library file cannot be saved. A duplicate file name was specified".
Itunes Version 10.5.3.3
Using Iphone 4 on Windows 7 Proffesional PC.
Keep getting "The Itunes Library file cannot be saved. A duplicate file name was specified" when trying to sync Itunes with Iphone.
Have tried the following steps;
first you have to locate your last library file, you can do this by clicking Edit-preferences-advanced. it will show you the itunes media folder location. then close Itunes
open your folder and locate the last library (libraries are saved with date names, find the most recent one or the one that was last modified).
change the name of the library to today´s date following the format it already has. you will have to change the name for libraries: .itl, .xml, genius and extras.
once you have changed the name to today´s date on the 4 libraries you will have to delete all other libraries existing on the same folder or on a folder named "previous itunes libraries". it is also recommended to delete the itunes "preferences file" .dat (usually 1kb) and the "sentinel" file.
so, you will have on your itunes media folder only 4 libraries: .itl .xml genius and extras.
the next step is to click the itunes icon holding the "shift" key . itunes will ask you to either "quit, choose library or create library" click on choose library. then locate the library you just renamed with today´s date and extension .itl
done, itunes will open with the last saved version of your library. keep in mind that some changes or songs will not be present if you added any while getting the error "itunes cannot save the library file. a duplicate name has been specified" just locate the songs and add them again, if you have the option "copy files to itunes media folder when adding to library" checked. then go to file-add folder or file-and locate the songs missing on the itunes media folder.itunes saves the files on the hard drive but does not save the changes on the library.
No luck.
Any help would be greatly appriciated.I found the solution:
first you have to locate your last library file, you can do this by clicking Edit-preferences-advanced. it will show you the itunes media folder location. then close Itunes
open your folder and locate the last library (libraries are saved with date names, find the most recent one or the one that was last modified).
change the name of the library to today´s date following the format it already has. you will have to change the name for libraries: .itl, .xml, genius and extras.
once you have changed the name to today´s date on the 4 libraries you will have to delete all other libraries existing on the same folder or on a folder named "previous itunes libraries". it is also recommended to delete the itunes "preferences file" .dat (usually 1kb) and the "sentinel" file.
so, you will have on your itunes media folder only 4 libraries: .itl .xml genius and extras.
the next step is to click the itunes icon holding the "shift" key . itunes will ask you to either "quit, choose library or create library" click on choose library. then locate the library you just renamed with today´s date and extension .itl
done, itunes will open with the last saved version of your library. keep in mind that some changes or songs will not be present if you added any while getting the error "itunes cannot save the library file. a duplicate name has been specified" just locate the songs and add them again, if you have the option "copy files to itunes media folder when adding to library" checked. then go to file-add folder or file-and locate the songs missing on the itunes media folder.itunes saves the files on the hard drive but does not save the changes on the library.
hope this is clear enough. -
When trying to recover a lost iTunes library file, the programme moved all the normal contents of iTunes folder to the desktop. Now what must I do? There is no iTunes Library.itl file. On the desktop it is labelled iTunes Library.xml. Several others files have appeared there too including iTunes Music Library.xml
Before I can use the programme is it necessary to take another step?
Thanks for advice.Don't worry. I'm all for caution. I guess I should have asked a little more about what steps you took while trying to recover your lost library?
The permissions thing may be a red herring, but if there is a problem with file access rights to the designated media folder iTunes has been known to place files on the desktop instead since it can access this location. The most common cause for such problems is working with a folder on an NTFS drive via a differnt account or on a different computer. In the normal course of events folders created inside user profiles have limited rights for other users.
Here are the typical layouts for the iTunes folders:
Normally the iTunes folder will be created at <User's Music>\iTunes with the media folder inside it. The library files should all appear in the same place so your comment about there not being an iTunes Library.itl file is confusing. Is it just the case that the .itl extension is hidden? The two .xml files makes sense from the above and indicates that the active library is not in <User's Music>\iTunes, but you have a recovered file from when it was.
If, in fact, the situation is that your desktop is acting as the main iTunes folder, and contains the library file, Album Artwork, iTunes Media and (optionally) Previous iTunes Libraries folders, with all other content being inside the iTunes Media folder, then it should be relativly easy to rearrange your into the correct shape and move them to the correct location.
If things are more complex, with something other than a library folder containing a media folder, then reestablishing the normal order is more complicated. The iTunes consolidate function is used to bring copies of files stored outside of the media folder into the media folder. It may sometimes be needed as part of the process of tidying up, however it leaves behind originals. There are circumstances where there isn't room for two complete sets of the media files on the same drive which is why I suggested the script might be useful as it produces the same results for the library without leaving the originals for manual clear up.
I think before you do anything however, we should get a clearer picture of exactly what is where. Could you perhaps take a screenshot of the desktop and post it here? Take a look at this post on making a split library portable. The same techniques I outline there can be used to lick your library into shape, it is just a question of working out which to use in which order for the best effect.
tt2 -
Help... iTunes Library file damaged
Since moving some files to defrag my hard disk, I now get the following error message when I run iTunes:
The file "iTunes Library .itl" does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has attempted to recover your iTunes library and renamed this file to "iTunes Library (Damaged) x .itl [where x is 1,2,3,etc]
This is happening every time I try to run iTunes so there are a series of the damaged files in iTunes folder and each time I run iTunes there is a new set of Audiobooks, Music, etc. playlists in iTunes.
Can anyone help??
Thanks
Dell Latitude D600 Windows XP Pro iPod 20GbEarlier this month, my entire iTunes library disappeared from my Mac G5.
There were more than 50 songs I purchased on iTunes, plus more than 1,000 from my own CD collection as well as some original songs I wrote using GarageBand.
The songs were displayed on the iTunes rundown, but when I clicked to play, a prompt told me that it was unable to find the song.
Multiple searches were fruitless and the iTunes folder shows none of these songs to exist.
Much of these same songs are still on my iPod.
A few of the iTunes-purchased songs are also on my Mac G4 Powerbook.
The difference between the G5 and G4 is that I’ve not upgraded the latest iTunes version on the PowerBook…however in late March, I did upgrade on the G5.
No other new applications have been added to any of my computers since around the first of the year.
So I am asking you and everyone else (especially the Aplle people):
How can I recover those songs I bought from iTunes?
Why did this happen?
Have other Mac users experienced this?
Is there a flaw in the new iTunes version? -
I've unknowingly deleted my iTunes Library file, and now I'm stuck!
I was in the process of moving my songs and videos to an extrenal hard drive, and it had worked successfully--the files were on the new hard drive and iTunes recognized them after the move. And I even knew that I wasn't supposed to deleted the ITL file, but somehow managed to do so anyway. I am very stupid and deserve some (mild) derision.
I realize that by deleting my ITL file I will not get back my play counts, ratings, and play lists, and tho angered, I can live with that. My problem now is that I can't get iTunes to recognize the library on the external drive AT ALL. I get the blank library screen, even tho iTunes knows where it is (based on the "Advanced" menu in iTunes Preferences).
1) How do I get iTunes to display the contents of the relocated library on the external drive?
2) Is there an outside chance that all of the play counts, ratings and playlists could be resurrected by synching with my iPod?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!even tho iTunes knows where it is
No, iTunes doesn't know where your library is.
You're not the only one who is confused by that.
By setting the 'iTunes Music' folder location, you set the location where iTunes has to store the next imports.
And you told iTunes where to put the songs after you choose 'Add to Library...' (when you have checked 'Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library').
The location of your songs is stored in the 'iTunes Library' file, which you, unfortunately, trashed.
Just drag and drop the folder with all your music on the Library icon in the Source pane or select 'Add to Library...' and navigate to the folder containing your music.
I can't tell you how much information is restored by syncing your iPod.
I have no experience with it.
If it was set to 'automatically update', it could be wiped.
Several 3rd party applications can transfer songs, including playlists, ratings and play counts to the computer.
Try Senuti or iPodRip (find the latest versions on versiontracker.com).
Hope this helps.
M
17' iMac fp 800 MHz 768 MB RAM Mac OS X (10.3.9) Several ext. HD (backup and data)
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