Migrate MP3 library to new drive/directory while keeping all iTunes data?

Question

I currently keep my 80 GB MP3 library on a portable E: Drive.
I've always managed my own music folder ex: "E:\MP3\Rock and Alternative\Radiohead" etc. etc.
However, I recently upgraded my system (C:) hard drive and now have room to actually keep all of my MP3s there and would like to move them over to drive C: So the path will read like this: "C:\MP3\Rock and Alternative\Radiohead" while keeping all of my star-ratings, play counts, playlists, etc...
Is there a way to do this?

Answer 1

*How to open a different iTunes library*
Click the icon to launch iTunes and immediately press and _hold down_ the SHIFT key. After a short while you will be prompted to *Choose or create an iTunes library*. This feature can be used to switch between different library files.
The normal layout it that the main iTunes folder goes inside whatever the Windows default music folder is called, e.g. C:\Users\Michael\Music\iTunes for you on Windows 7. Inside the iTunes folder are a bunch of library files and a folder called iTunes Music or, post iTunes 9, iTunes Media. Provided all your content is inside this media folder you can relocate the enclosing iTunes folder at will. The steps I outlined above are an attempt to reconnect your library so that it becomes portable. I realise your music is already in the E:\MP3 folder, but I don't don't know what value you have under Edit > Preferences > Advanced > iTunes Media Folder Locataion. After copying your library files to E:\ and opening the library there you need to make sure that this setting reads E:\MP3 otherwise the next step of copying back to C:\Users\Michael\Music\iTunes may not work. This is also the reason for the cycle of opening and closing iTunes - to make sure that iTunes has a had a chance to switch from using absolute references to your files to relative references (or at least ones that it will update) which it should do if your media is inside the "media folder" before you move or copy the library. Backup the existing content of C:\Users\Michael\Music\iTunes before you copy the content from E:\ so that you can undo the steps you take if it breaks your library.
BTW like you, I manually manage my music, but I don't necessarily advocate this as the best way to do it. If you're prepared to yeild control to iTunes you could just consolidate your library onto the C: drive and allow iTunes to *Keep the iTunes Media* folder organised. If you want to keep manually managing then the best layout is one in which the library is portable. That is a library folder containing a media folder. You can pretty much orgainse stuff in the media folder any way you like but it's more effort than leaving it all to the application. You should also disable any automatic file organising options in Windows Media Player and ideally change it's rip folder to the main iTunes media folder location.