MBP: The itunes library file cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file

I've started getting this error on my MBP from iTunes:
I am running a MacBookPro with Snow Leopard 10.6.7 and iTunes 10.
Other than this warning, I can't detect any operational problems with iTunes, but rather than mask it, I'd prefer to fix it.
The my root iTunes directory and its contents all appear to have proper ownership:
mystic:~/Music/iTunes jrh$ ls -l
total 69088
drwxr-xr-x    5 jrh jrh       170 Sep 9 2008 Album Artwork
drwxr-xr-x 106 jrh jrh      3604 May 5 00:04 Mobile Applications
drwxr-xr-x   16 jrh jrh       544 Apr 28 00:30 Previous iTunes Libraries
-rw-r--r--@   1 jrh jrh   2430114 May 22 07:32 iTunes Library
-rw-r--r--    1 jrh jrh    528384 May 21 17:02 iTunes Library Extras.itdb
-rw-r--r--    1 jrh jrh 21348352 May 21 17:06 iTunes Library Genius.itdb
drwxr-xr-x 705 jrh jrh     23970 May 21 17:01 iTunes Music
-rw-r--r--@   1 jrh jrh 11058893 May 22 07:32 iTunes Music Library.xml
-rw-r--r--    1 jrh jrh         8 May 19 08:04 sentinel
I am not sure what the sentinel file is. It contains 8 nulls:
mystic:~/Music/iTunes jrh$ od -c sentinel
0000000   \0 \0 \0 \0 \0 \0 \0 \0
0000010
Any help would be appreciated

I've made some progress. In iTunes preferences/advanced you can re-set warnings. Repairing Disk Permissions on your boot drive will help when iTunes won't start. In addition to the saving issue, I've suffered through the problem of iTunes creating multiple .tmp files. With iTunes closed you can delete these files.
I also found these two threads helpful and have turned off local snapshots for Time Machine.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/17692965#17692965
Re: iTunes 10.5: Permission issue with the iTunes Library file...http://Pondini.org/TM/30.html
I have restored Lion once and it was easy. No disc required as Lion creates a recovery file on your computer, Instructions are here http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.7/en/mchlp1599.html
Hope this helps.
Steve

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Error: the itunes library file cannot be saved a folder was specified instead of a file

This started popping up after a forced quit because the program was hanging. The library seems to be writing files from CDs to my dedicated external drive and adding them to the library. The added songs appear and play after program is shut down and reboots. Have repaired disk permissions in disk utilitity but it doesn't seem to fix the error message. Other threads discuss the problem in Windows but not Mac. Any thoughts?

After trying a few other remedies, the tech at Apple Care suggested I reinstall Lion.
Here's the article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.7/en/mchlp1599.html
I have not had the error message since, even after importing about a dozen CDs and burning a couple playlists.
This seems to be the fix.

HT1926 I am getting error msg: "The iTunes library file cannot be saved. a folder ws specified instead of a file."

Reinstalled iTunes after deleting previous install in specified order and removing dated listings from registry.
Downloaded iTunes and reinstalled.
iTunes would not start and gave me msg "The itunes library.itl file cnnot be found or created. The default location is in the iTunes folder in the Music folder"
I dragged iTunes Library.itl file to iTunes folder in Music folder
Itunes started but after a bit it presented the msg: "The iTunes libery file cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file"
Looking for how I correct this issue... Thanks!!

Hi there Br0x,
You may want to try rebuilding the iTunes library as an initial troubleshooting step. Take a look at the article below for more information.
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
-Griff W.

HT203175 I keep getting the Itunes library cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file.

I connected my ipad to my computor (Windows Home Premium 7) and Itunes would not open. I have restored from a seperate back up however I tunes keeps throwing up the above in a window as an error. I tried uninstalling itunes and re-installing and it still would not work. Anyone got any ideas as to what is going on?
Thanks

I've encountered this same problem on multiple occasions. Sometimes it will happen for days at a time, then stop for months, then start happening again without rhyme or reason.
This last bout has been the most severe, as my extensive library of movies (one one external HDD) and music (on another external HDD) wouldn't show up in iTunes. After reimporting and losing the library file again I started digging a bit deeper into solutions.
I'm a few hours (hopefully it will stick) and many changes into reconstructing a new iTunes library file after having found a useful solution:
http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/73878/the-itunes-library-file-cannot-be -saved-a-folder-was-specified-instead-of-a-fi (I don't know if you saw the reply to your thread on stackexchange...)
I tried to choose my old .itl when prompted; it wasn't recognized. I then created a new library in a new folder (iTunes 1, as suggested) and repeated the "choose library" step. The new file was recognized. In the past I would change my media folder location in iTunes preferences depending on whether I was importing music or movies. I've decided to leave that at the default location, but have unchecked the copy to media folder option in preferences. I'm hopeful that manually managing where the media are stored and where iTunes looks for them will permanently solve the problem.
Take all of this with a grain of salt.... I hope it helps. Let me know if any of my steps are unclear or if you have any questions.
D

I click on itunes and this error comes up but it still opeitns , "The Disc "Content" cannot be read. A folder was specified instead of a file". So what do I do to get rid of it.

I click on itunes and this error comes up but it still opens it, "The Disc "Content" cannot be read. A folder was specified instead of a file". So what do I do to get rid of it.

I've encountered this same problem on multiple occasions. Sometimes it will happen for days at a time, then stop for months, then start happening again without rhyme or reason.
This last bout has been the most severe, as my extensive library of movies (one one external HDD) and music (on another external HDD) wouldn't show up in iTunes. After reimporting and losing the library file again I started digging a bit deeper into solutions.
I'm a few hours (hopefully it will stick) and many changes into reconstructing a new iTunes library file after having found a useful solution:
http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/73878/the-itunes-library-file-cannot-be -saved-a-folder-was-specified-instead-of-a-fi (I don't know if you saw the reply to your thread on stackexchange...)
I tried to choose my old .itl when prompted; it wasn't recognized. I then created a new library in a new folder (iTunes 1, as suggested) and repeated the "choose library" step. The new file was recognized. In the past I would change my media folder location in iTunes preferences depending on whether I was importing music or movies. I've decided to leave that at the default location, but have unchecked the copy to media folder option in preferences. I'm hopeful that manually managing where the media are stored and where iTunes looks for them will permanently solve the problem.
Take all of this with a grain of salt.... I hope it helps. Let me know if any of my steps are unclear or if you have any questions.
D

Hello, when i open itunes i get the message: The iTunes Library file cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file. It seems I can't update my itunes library. how do i fix this? thanks in advance

hello,
when i open itunes i get the message: The iTunes Library file cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file.
It seems I can't update my itunes library. how do i fix this? thanks in advance

Hi there Br0x,
You may want to try rebuilding the iTunes library as an initial troubleshooting step. Take a look at the article below for more information.
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
-Griff W.

I just installed ITunes 11.0.4. I get the error message: "The Itunes Library cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file." When I sign on next, it says the library can't be found. Running Windows Vista with Mcafe protection

I just installed ITunes 11.0.4. I get the error message: "The Itunes Library cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file." When I sign on next, it says the library can't be found, and Itunes wont open. I'm running Windows Vista with Mcafe protection

Hi there Br0x,
You may want to try rebuilding the iTunes library as an initial troubleshooting step. Take a look at the article below for more information.
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
-Griff W.

"The iTunes Library file cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file." How do I fix?

My buddy set me up with the Aiport Timecapsule with 500G of music. I linked iTunes to my MacPro (took a looong time) now I keep getting "The iTunes Library file cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file." I have the most up to date iTunes. I'm not sure that I set up the library the "proper way" but don't want to spend another day or 2 to reload. How do I fix what ever I did wrong, or get rid of the message?
Thanx

Hi there Br0x,
You may want to try rebuilding the iTunes library as an initial troubleshooting step. Take a look at the article below for more information.
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
-Griff W.

When I update itunes it deletes the library file, and when I restore that file from the previous libraries or my backup, itunes will run but tell me "the iTunes library file cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file" How do I fix this?

When I update itunes it deletes the library file, and when I restore that file from the previous libraries or my backup, itunes will run but tell me "the iTunes library file cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file" How do I fix this?

Hi there Br0x,
You may want to try rebuilding the iTunes library as an initial troubleshooting step. Take a look at the article below for more information.
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
-Griff W.

Error iTunes library file cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file.

I keep getting this error "The iTunes library file cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file." I keep my library on mu drive and my music folder on a networked drive. There appears to be nothing I can do to correct this. Any sugges

I've made some progress. In iTunes preferences/advanced you can re-set warnings. Repairing Disk Permissions on your boot drive will help when iTunes won't start. In addition to the saving issue, I've suffered through the problem of iTunes creating multiple .tmp files. With iTunes closed you can delete these files.
I also found these two threads helpful and have turned off local snapshots for Time Machine.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/17692965#17692965
Re: iTunes 10.5: Permission issue with the iTunes Library file...http://Pondini.org/TM/30.html
I have restored Lion once and it was easy. No disc required as Lion creates a recovery file on your computer, Instructions are here http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.7/en/mchlp1599.html
Hope this helps.
Steve

Uninstalled Itunes because of issue, reinstalled with newest version, now it won't read my library. Error message "The itunes library.itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of itunes"

Error message when opening itunes...The itunes library.itl cannot be read because it was created in a newer version of itunes... how do i fix, it will not open with any of my ipod, ipad, iphone.

I don't know why this error occurs, unless you have attempted to downgrade iTunes.
This method should get you up and running again.
Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash
Hopefully it's not been too long since you last upgraded iTunes, in fact if you get an empty/incomplete library immediately after upgrading then with the following steps you shouldn't lose a thing or need to do any further housekeeping. In the Previous iTunes Libraries folder should be a number of dated iTunes Library files. Take the most recent of these and copy it into the iTunes folder. Rename iTunes Library.itl as iTunes Library (Corrupt).itl and then rename the restored file as iTunes Library.itl. Start iTunes. Should all be good, bar any recent additions to or deletions from your library.
See iTunes Folder Watch for a tool to catch up with any changes since the backup file was created.
When you get it all working make a backup!
tt2

Error: "A folder was specified instead of a file."

After I upgraded iTunes, I received the "A folder was specified instead of a file." on both my Sony Vaio and Dell. I did something (I don't know what) that stopped it from happening on the Dell, but the message still comes up every time I load iTunes on the Vaio. Both computers are running Vista. When I click OK on the error message, everything runs fine. It is just annoying. Does anybody know how do fix this problem?

I've made some progress. In iTunes preferences/advanced you can re-set warnings. Repairing Disk Permissions on your boot drive will help when iTunes won't start. In addition to the saving issue, I've suffered through the problem of iTunes creating multiple .tmp files. With iTunes closed you can delete these files.
I also found these two threads helpful and have turned off local snapshots for Time Machine.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/17692965#17692965
Re: iTunes 10.5: Permission issue with the iTunes Library file...http://Pondini.org/TM/30.html
I have restored Lion once and it was easy. No disc required as Lion creates a recovery file on your computer, Instructions are here http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.7/en/mchlp1599.html
Hope this helps.
Steve

Unable to Sync due to Error Msg: "A folder was specified instead of a file"

When I attempt to sync my iPhone 4, I constantly get the messages listed below. These messages occur even though I have installed iTunes from scratch with no music, apps or photos etc in it, in an attempt to minimise posible sources of error. So the sync is barebones with just my Outlook and bookmarks. While it does sync subsequent to these messages, when I then attempt a resync, it comes up with a new message saying it cannot read the contents and to do a restore. So effectively my phone is now next to useless.
These are the syncing error messages I get:
"The iPhone "Xxx" cannot be synced. A duplicate file name was specified"
"The iPhone "xxx" cannot be synced. A folder was specified instead of a file"
"The iPhone "xxx" cannot be synced. The required file cannot be found"
Presumably these are distinct Apple created messages that have meaing to tech support. I would appreciate if they could respond and let me know what is causing these error messages. It has nothing to do with Photos or photo cache as reported by some people in my case, as I explained above, these messages are occurring on a fresh install of iTunes, with absolutely no refence of any kind to iTunes or Apple on my C drive prior to its installation.

I also have ALL of these error messages running on Windows7 64bit.
Using my previous pc with windows7 32bit it works fine, with no sync issues. iTunes and win7 64 bit is giving me nothing but a headache.
Un-installing iTunes, re-installing iTunes, resetting iPhone as a new device, nothing works. Any help would be very greatly appreciated! Please!

HT203175 the itunes library itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of itunes

looking for help i try to open my itunes and i get an error message..... the itunes litrary itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of itunes???

Unless you've recently attempted to downgrade iTunes this is probably a sign of a corrupt library file. See Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash.
tt2

So I updated the itunes and now it won't open it, it states a message "the itunes library.itl" cannot be open because it was created by a newer version of itunes, I have unistalled and re-installed newer and older version and still i get this message.

I updated and now i can't use the itunes. I have unistalled several times, installing newer and older versions but still i get this message. Is there anything i can do to fix this problem??

Try the following user tip with that one:
Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash

MBP: The itunes library file cannot be saved. A folder was specified instead of a file

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