Itunes & duplicate files

I have just deleted over 20GB of duplicate files from my music folder on my PC, these have been created by Itunes, does anyone know why Itunes creates duplicate files and how to stop it?
Windows XP Pro

I've got over 900 dupes like this. I looked at each pair, and the only difference is the modification date. All mp3 tags are the same, as are the compression params and the Fairplay params.
In my case these dupes were created when I imported large partions of an almost-but-not-quite identical library from another computer, in attempt to do a manual sync between two iTunes libraries on two different machines.
iTunes seems to be a bit too conservative in it's criteria for detecting differences during an import. Clashing mp3 tags is reasonable, but clashing mod dates when there's no other differences is too much. I'm going to file this as an iTunes bug.

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HT201262 i keep getting an error message when trying to sync my iphone in itunes, "duplicate file name specified." Anyone have any help? Please??

i keep getting an error message when trying to sync my iphone in itunes, "duplicate file name specified." Anyone have any help? Please??

You can try going to iTunes with your device connected, select your device, then click view, show duplicate items

Removing iTunes duplicate files

I'm not sure exactly how it happened, but most of my songs in iTunes have a duplicate file. For example, when I select "Show song file" the folder where the songs are stored looks like the following. The file ending ..1 is the one that is being used in each case.
01 How Am I Different 1.mp3
01 How Am I Different.mp3
02 Nothing is Good Enough 1.mp3
02 Nothing is Good Enough.mp3
...and so on
First, any ideas how this might have happened? I do remember consolidating the library sometime ago - might that have done it?
Secondly, how can I safely remove the duplicate files without corrupting my library or losing music?
Thanks!

I've got over 900 dupes like this. I looked at each pair, and the only difference is the modification date. All mp3 tags are the same, as are the compression params and the Fairplay params.
In my case these dupes were created when I imported large partions of an almost-but-not-quite identical library from another computer, in attempt to do a manual sync between two iTunes libraries on two different machines.
iTunes seems to be a bit too conservative in it's criteria for detecting differences during an import. Clashing mp3 tags is reasonable, but clashing mod dates when there's no other differences is too much. I'm going to file this as an iTunes bug.

ITunes creating duplicate files under a hidden folder named "Volumes".

It seems my iTunes program is secretly making a duplicate file in a hidden folder called "Volumes" on my laptop hard drive. It's now maxxed out my drive and I need to both remove the "Volumes" folder and make sure it doesn't get created and happen again.
Details:
Using a Powerbook G4 with an 80gb drive. Using iTunes 8. The iTunes library program is in the usual place on the lap top hard drive but the music library folder, where all the files get saved to, is on an external drive labeled "Media".
Clicking normally and searching around my laptop hard drive, I do not see or am able to access the folder named "Volumes". But I know it exists as I ran a scan program called jdiscreport and it clearly shows a huge folder, 45gb, named "Volumes". There are also a few old flacs in the "Volume folder also. The iTunes duplicate files are in identically named folders as the external drive: iTunes Music located within Media, located within Volumes.
When I rip a CD in iTunes (or the iTunes-LAME program I sometimes use), the files do go to the proper external folder as expected and as I've set in the iTunes preferences section. So why is iTunes also saving the same thing to this mystery "Volumes" folder on the lap top hard drive? How do I get rid of this folder without wiping my drive? How do I stop it from continuing?
Help, I have 2gb of free space left!
Thanks, James

Hi I am having a similar issue, It all started when I tried to restore from the Time Machine and it threw a error back stating that there is no disk available. I was wondering how come and went to find out what is happening and was shocked to find out that actually my entire Macintosh HD has a duplicate copy inside the /Volumes folder. I went to the XTERM to investigate and found that the / (root) has a Users folder where all my stuffs like pictures, music, movies, documents reside and the same data or content is duplicated in the /Volumes/Macintosh HD/Users folder
I first thought that it was only a link, but I later found that it is not a link and it is indeed a physical copy of all my User folders inside the /Volumes/Macintosh HD/Users folder and actually occupying my Hard disk space.
I am not sure how this happened or how it is duplicating itself. I am also afraid to delete the stuffs inside the /Volumes folder as it might crash my system (it is already hidden - I assume it is hidden for some purpose). Please suggest any options, how I can get rid of these duplicated data and how to avoid such duplication in the future.
Thanks
Regards
Chelvam.S.T

Every time that I play a tune from my itunes the file duplicates itself into my 'MyDocuments' folder. If I delete this the song is erased from itunes totally. Ideas??

Everything worked fine for the last two years but now every time that I play a tune from my itunes the file duplicates itself into my 'MyDocuments' folder. If I delete this the song is erased from itunes totally. Ideas??

You are of course deleting the tunes from within the iTunes interface.
The settings that I am referring to are your device settings for the iPad. It should show in the left column of iTunes when your iPad is plugged in.
Go through your playlists and make sure that the tunes(s) are removed from any playlist. You can prevent the sync as noted above then do a sync and the iPad should update with the content from you Mac.
MJ

HT1660 i have two independent itunes libraries on my computer right now. how do i consolidate them into one library? how do i get rid of duplicate files?

i have two independent itunes libraries on my computer right now. how do i consolidate them into one library? how do i get rid of duplicate files?

Hello rmunsey,
Thank you for the question. It sounds like you have two separate iTunes Libraries but would like to add the music from one to the other to have one consolidated library.
If you know where the files are for each library, I recommend opening one iTunes Library in iTunes and importing the files from the other library using the following steps:
Open iTunes
From the File menu, choose one of the following choices:
MacAdd to Library
Windows
Add File to Library
Add Folder to Library
Navigate to and select the file or folder that you want to add
Adding music and other content to iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1473
Next, you can search for duplicates:
Choose View > Show Duplicate Items to show duplicate items (matches are based on the song name and artist). If you have multiple versions of the same song (for example, live and studio versions, or versions from different albums) you can hold the Alt or Option key (for Mac OS X) or the Shift key (for Windows) and choose View > Show Exact Duplicate Items. This will show only duplicate songs having the same name, artist, and album.
How to find and remove duplicate items in your iTunes library
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2905
This should help you identify the duplicates all at one time so that you can delete the extra versions of songs.
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.

ITunes and I seem to have created duplicate files. How do I clean this up?

Hello experts. I have a conundrum I'm too inexperienced to reason out. Hoping to tap your creativity.
I have a huge iTunes library I've created over the years. 50,000+ songs. No problem, other than my desire to whittle through it slowly and pare it down to only the 22,000 or so I want to keep as my primary library. I haven't gone through the effort of creating multiple libraries yet, I simply delete songs or albums from the library as time permits without deleting the original file. I figure iTunes' database will be my primary and in the long-game, I'll create a new library that holds everything, but for now I'll just keep whittling the dB structure away until I get what I want (this is a slow, multi-year project I'm undertaking -- no rush here).
Here's my problem:
Most of these songs are physically saved in the iTunes folder on an external hard drive. Some of the songs I added to my library from the iTunes store when the external hard drive wasn't connected to the Mac - so they are on the Mac's hard drive under the standard iTunes folder structure. I have the "Keep iTunes Media folder organized" and "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library" checkboxes checked.
As I said, I've deleted songs from the iTunes app, but told it to "Keep Files" so that I could listen to them in the future if I decide to re-add them. Yesterday, I ran out of space on the startup drive of my mac, so naturally, I figured I could consolidate any files on my hard drive over to my external hard drive and delte them from the mac.
In iTunes, I went to File -> Library -> Organize Library. I checked both boxes for "Consolidate files" and "Reorganize files in the folder..." I let this run overnight to consolidate my library into one place. Today, I found that the function was unable to complete due to lack of disk space on my external hard drive. When I went to check the external hard drive, I found that iTunes had duplicated all of the songs that were on the external hard drive in their existing folders.
For example, now I have a file under the structure: iTunes library -> Music -> Blue Oyster Cult -> Heaven Forbid -> Cold Grey Light of Dawn.mp3
And I also have a file under the structure: iTunes library -> Music -> Blue Oyster Cult -> Heaven Forbid -> Cold Grey Light of Dawn 1.mp3
So now the immediate problem... The consolidation didn't finish, so I don't know exactly how much duplication iTunes created. I checked my library, and sure enough, the song in the library is pointed at the duplicate file (the one with a 1 at the end). I don't have the option to just copy the iTunes library to another external drive temporarily (or not easily, at least). I checked out a bunch of duplicate file cleanup programs, but the ones I found (and I even purchased Gemini's dupe file finder/cleanser) don't seem to inherently choose the correct duplicate file that is linked to iTunes library dB. I can't realistically pick and choose from the thousands of files that have been duplicated.
I decided to change the advanced preferences in iTunes to an entirely new folder on the External hard drive. Then I could just go back into File -> Library -> Organize library and select only the "Reorganize files..." checkbox without selecting the "Consolidate files" checkbox. I figured this would just move all the files that are in the iTunes dB to the new iTunes folder. Ummm.... but no. Apparently this "Reorganize files" checkbox is only available if you select "Consolidate files"...? To be clear, "Reorganize files" is greyed out.
So to summarize:
1. Why did iTunes create copies of existing files in the exact same location they were in?
2. What is the right (and I pray easy) way to get my library back to the right size and consolidated into one place? I'm still dangerously low on disk space on the mac...
<sigh>
Thanks for reading through all this!
Tim
Mac Mini OSX 10.8.3; iTunes 11.0.2 (26)

See this thread for background on why iTunes can end up with duplicates and how they can be systematically removed. The script there is for Windows users and the "show duplicates" menus have moved around in iTunes 11, but the advice on clearing recently made duplicates should still hold.
As given in my older post "Reorganize library" is meant as a one time command to change the structure of a pre-iTunes 9 library into the newer layout that places music in its own subfolder of the media folder. Once used, if the option becomes available again that suggests that a file called .iTunes Preferences.plist in the media folder has been deleted or editied.
See also this post.
tt2

Can't synch iPod classic to iTunes after updating iTunes. a duplicate file name was specified.

I can't synch my iPod classic. "A duplicate file name was specified." I tried on two different computers on which it had previously worked fine.

Try deleting the iPod Photo Cache from the nominated folder that you have set up to sync photos to the devices.
See iTunes: Understanding the iPod Photo Cache folder for more info.
tt2

While trying to upload an Audio file from a CD, iTunes won't let me. Says there is a duplicate file.

I have been successfully uploading Audio CDs for a Social Studies Textbook onto my iTouch. When I went to do this today, iTunes "Failed" because it says there is a duplicate file. I have not uploaded this new CD, so that is not possible. Each CD lists their "Tracks" the same way. Track 01, Track 02, etc, however I renamed previous tracks in iTunes.
I need to get these files uploaded so we can listen to them on the iTouch, but I have had no success today. The frustrating part is that I have done 3 CDs previously with no issues.
Even if I did find a duplicate file, I don't know how to delete the file. I do have 1 failed "Track 01" in the Recently Updated section, but it won't play, because it can't "locate" the file. When I try to delete in iTunes, "Delete" is greyed out and unavailable.
What do I need to do?

I keep getting 'check Internet connection' getting bit sick of it now ;( sorry cant help

On windows 8 and itunes 11 i try to sync my iphone and it says a duplicate file name was specified and won't let me sync, what do i do ?

duplicate file name was specified...... windows 8 and itunes 11...... won't let me sync..... what do i do ?

OK, read this thread... https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3928453
tt2

Every time i try to sync my iphone with my music on itunes, it says, "The iPhone "KORA" cannot be synced. A duplicate file name was specified."

I need help

Hi korasaurous,
Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.
You may find the troubleshooting steps in this article helpful with resolving the error message you're seeing:
iTunes: Troubleshooting issues with third-party iTunes plug-ins
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3430
There are several ways an add-on can cause iTunes to act erratically, such as those listed below:
You see this alert while syncing: "... cannot be synced. A duplicate file name was specified."
Best Regards,
Jeremy

I recently deleted many duplicate files. In the midst of it my Itunes songs are not in Itunes. They are in two different folders. One under 'Music' in my ID. And two under a MyMusic file in Documents. How do I know which one to import?

I recently deleted many duplicate files. In the midst of it my Itunes songs are not in Itunes. They are in two different folders. One under 'Music' in my ID. And two under a MyMusic file in Documents. How do I know which one to import?

Thanks, this is not an ideal answer but probably the most sensible one in my case.
I will try it unless someone has a better suggestion, but I'll wait a bit as it will take me a few days anyway (I had actually tried to create a new smaller playlist or download by album, but at this stage the music app is not letting me queue a list of songs for download - I think I will have to disable and re-enable iTunes match which will probably delete all the songs).
I have to say I am not very impressed with Apple here - having an online backup of all your data and beeing able to restore it to a new device easily was a strong selling point of iCloud. For music, they are Definitly not delivering at the stage.

Duplicate files in itunes music folder with title 1.mp3

Can anyone tell me why there might be duplicate files with this number in my music folder? I'm interested to know what might cause this to happen.

Any help here? This question has been bugging me for some time. It's hard to believe that this seemingly simple task / question is so difficult to find a solution for. Please - if you know a way, I'd love to clear some space from my itunes music folder.

ITunes Library file cannot be saved. A duplicate file name was specified.

Every time I open up iTunes I get the error 'The iTunes Library file cannot be saved. A duplicate file name was specified.'
I've had this problem for a couple of months, tried out every solution I can find, changed the library names, recreated the library etc. Recreating the library seemed to work for a few days, but now the problem has returned. Because of this problem I can't add any new songs to my iTunes, and I cannot update any of my apps.
Any help would be appreciated!

I also have the same problem as in the duplicate file was specified thing after opening up itunes.
But for me is the apps. I can't download or update my apps from my comp but i can do that on my iphone. I did tried to transfer purchases but it popped up about something that if i dont authorize this comp my apps will be removed. When i clicked dont authorize, it removed almost all my apps so i stopped in the middle of syncing. I click authorize and after entering my apple ID, another pop up saying that there is an error in transfering the purchases and told me to repair my itunes. I tried that too but it didnt work. I already did authorize my comp long ago. When i clicked cancel, it doesnt sync all my stuff and remains the same cause it always stuck at the apps. I tried to uninstall itunes but it says there's an error in the package thing, error code 2330. Any idea on what should i do? >_<

The iTunes Library file cannot be saved A duplicate file name was specified

I keep my music and my library file on an external drive. I've been having this error whenever I try to download the updates for my iphone apps, and then after it's popped up once, it continues. After I quit the app, when I try to restart iTunes it won't open because of an unknown error 13014. If I trash the itunes genius and extras files, I can get iTunes to open again, but then I'm back to the library file cannot be saved problem.

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.

Itunes & duplicate files

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