Multiple users/sharing itunes music folder

I have moved the administrors itunes music folder to a shared user folder. I want to do the same for each of the other 4 users folders so we can share music in one computer. Should I rename each folder and put each one into the shared user file, or will all the music files find their way in that folder from the administrator? This question is based on information I received from the folowing support page: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93195

how do i make this automatic so that newly downloaded songs just appear in the other users accounts?
You don't.
Each user has their own iTunes library file which tracks their own iTunes.

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Sharing iTunes Music folder on external HD but not Mobile Applications folder?

I share the iTunes Music folder on an external HD between two separate Mac user accounts. Each user has their own iPhone and syncs within their own user account. All the media for user#1 (books, apps, etc) are in the appropriate folders in this shared iTunes Music folder, which means user #2 is seeing all user #1's stuff in their iPhone sync windows in iTunes.
I don't want to share anything but the actual iTunes library music files between the two Mac user accounts (and the two iPhones). Everything else for each user (apps, books etc.) I want to keep separate. Both users have a separate iTunes store account. Is this possible?

It seems that removing the apps of user#1 from user#2's library (i.e. deleting them in iTunes window, not trashing the actual file) does the trick ... this change updates the user's library .xtml file. Now user#2's apps are syncing only on their phone when they log in and use iTunes. When user#1 logs in iTunes just shows user#1 apps and syncs those.

HT1449 move shared iTunes music folder to a new computer and set up

Hello;
I am trying to set up 2 new iTunes accounts on our new computer...
In our old we each had an iTunes accounts with our own libraries but the music files were in a shared music folder.
I copied the shared music folder from our old computer on to an external drive and then copied it to Users/shared/itunes music
I then pointed both new Itunes to that location for the music but when I open itunes in both it does not show anything..
I also copied the old iTunes folder to each new account
Why are the 2 new iTunes acct not seeing the music?
I do not care so much about playlists etc..just wanted the music transferred over in the shared file..(music combined Itunes purchases plus ripped CD..)
Thanks
mac

You are encountering one of the major disadvantages with having library files in one place and media in another. You do not get iTunes to see moved media by changing media storage location in preferences. That only changes the location for anything added from that point on, it does not get iTunes to actively search the new location. This problem is really amplified by you moving media to a new drive.
If it were just one user you could use iTunes to do the moving by using consolidate/organize your media to the new location and the library doing that would work, but the other one wouldn't.
Try this. Play a track. iTunes will ask you to find the file it should use. Find it in its new home. iTunes should ask if you want it to find others and see if it can. This only works if you have iTunes set to automatically organize your library.

Multiple users sharing itunes songs?

hi,
my family shares our imac (me, wife, 2 daughters) and we all have our own identity/logon. we also all have our own devices such as ipods that we use to synch our own itunes libraries. we also all listen to some of the same music. i'm the admin on the imac and have moved my itunes library to the itunes music folder for the shared user so i can add the songs we all want to each itunes library. when i go to add these songs to someones itunes library, some songs purchased from itunes don't show up when logged on as another user other than me. logged in as me, i see everything.
have i done something wrong? any suggestions on how to do this?
thanks!
tony

what you can try is to authorize iTunes on each account (login, identity) to play/use content purchased with the other iTMS accounts.
for example, authorize daughter #1's iTunes to play music purchased with your, the wife's, and her sister's iTMS accounts.
authorizing iTunes for additional iTMS accounts is basically very easy. all you have to do is +log out+ of one account (click on the account name in the iTunes store window and select +sign out+ from the pop-up dialog) and into the other, and then they will both be authorized. (be sure to just *log out*, not de-authorize ).
JGG

Cleaning up duplication mess from Shared iTunes Music folder

I'm helping my sister clean up a mess on her Windows Vista computer. In the process of cleaning up one mess, I may have made another.
She's wanting to share the iTunes Music folder with multiple users on the machine--so that they can all access the music from their individual user accounts. A couple of months ago, I set up the iTunes Music folder in the Public folder so that all users could access it. Each user then created it's own iTunes Library database upon opening iTunes in their accounts.
We thought this would work fine, but she's now finding that if items are added in different accounts, they're not showing up in the others--you have to know what was imported/added in one account so that you can "add to library" in the others.
So, in order to try to fix that, I created a new Music folder ("iTunes Music New") for the Main user's account and "consolidated Library" so that it would contain everything. I then went into each account and changed their default Music folder location to the new Public one that I created "iTunes Music New".
My next problem occurred when I clicked consolidated library in a 2nd account. Now, since all accounts are pointing to the same folder and I hit consolidate library in 2 accounts, the Music Folder has duplicates of MANY, MANY songs. However, they're not necessarily duplicated in the iTunes Music Library database, since the consolidation occurred from two separate accounts.
Most of the duplication software/scripts that I've researched seem to be able to delete duplicates within the iTunes Music Library database. Obviously, I'm not needing that, I'm needing to delete duplicates from the iTunes Music folder itself.
Is there a way to do this?
Once I solve this problem, my next question is how to clean up all of the secondary user libraries so that they match the main one. It doesn't matter if I lose playcounts on these secondary accounts as long as I retain them in the main original. Can I just delete the .xml and iTunes Library.itl files and "add to library" the main music folder?
Or can I create a shortcut in each of the secondary users folders that would point to the .xml and .itl files in the "master" user's folder?
I hope that this makes sense.
I'm hoping to get this situation mostly cleared up before I leave my sister's in the next day or so.

Unfortunately, you're going to have to delete those duplicate files by hand.
On my PC when I do boneheaded things like that, Windows gives them names like
song[1].mp3
song[2].mp3
You can use Windows search to find files with [1] in the filename. That should speed up the process.
After you get everything on the hard drive fixed, all you have to do is set up the secondary accounts to use the main users's ITL file.
From iTunes > Help > iTunes Help
*To create or use a different iTunes library:*
+If iTunes is open, quit it.+
+Hold down the Shift key while you open iTunes (from the Start menu, choose All Programs > iTunes > iTunes).+
+In the dialog that appears, do one of the following:+
+To create a new library, click Create Library.+
+To choose a different library, click Choose Library.+

Using 1 public Windows 7 folder, how do multiple users share itunes music?

I have 4 users on Windows 7 which use iTunes under the same Apple account. All of the music files are in the same public folder, but not listed in each each user's library. How can I have these music files automatically appear in each user's library?

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http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1923

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I have 2 users on the same iMac, each with their own library but sharing the same media folder. If one user updates song attribute information (example - adding the song year), how does the other user update his library with those attribute changes? I tried to do File-->Add to library which is the way one user adds songs to his library that the other user added, but that didn't work. If I play the song, it updates the information. If I select File-->Get Info for a single song, it updates the information, but if I select multiple songs it does NOT update the information.

Got into the same issue today; I selected all the songs and updated the ratings. That helped to sync with the latest attributes. If you care about your song ratings.. then this might not help you.

Multiple itunes music folder locations

Guys,
Does anyone know if it is possible to have multiple itunes music folder locations for itunes?
I am quickly running out of space on my macbook pro and would like to move my less used music and movies to a separate external drive whilst leaving my most popular stuff on the macbook pro.
Cheers
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I have these exact same questions as the user above, but for a different reason. I want to have two different locations for my iTunes Music folder. One on my laptop for recent music (so I have it when I travel) and another "archive library" on the Time Capsule for the remainder of my music (accessible only over my wireless LAN when at home).
I have gone through the "hold the option key" process to create a second "library" on the Time Capsule, but it still references the same iTunes folder location. Of course, I could relocate the entire iTunes Music folder to the Time Capsule and re-reference it in Preferences->Advanced, but then I wouldn't have access to my recent songs when traveling.
Then, there's the whole question of how to transfer songs between folders (when my "recent" folder gets to large and I need to archive), but maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.
Thanks,
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3 users sharing itunes on 1 imac. How does everyone's library listing refresh when all 3 users are loading music from their own screens?

3 users sharing itunes in shared folder on one imac computer. What can we do to "refresh" our individual library listing to list music loaded by other 2 users? We listen to books in the car via ipods. How can books I have loaded show up on other 2 library listings and vice-versa? Had a couple of instances where 2 of us loaded the same book because we didn't know the other had already loaded it!!!

It sounds like you are using individual libraries (each user has library files in their iTunes folder) but shared media. iTunes doesn't have an active way of scanning a shared media folder for new additions. You will just have to tell each other that something has been added to each person can add the media information to their libraries. The only other ways I know of are to using a single user library (many disadvantages to that too, especially with 3 of you), or to use Home Sharing which also has disadvantages.

How can I have multiple users on iTunes (in order to connect to a shared office iPad)?

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The library exists regardless of which user is logged in.
The only way around that is to create different user accounts on the computer.
There is no way to have 20 unique iTunes users access a shared iTunes under a single login on the computer.

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Hello RumDog,
I think this article will help you find the media in your library.
Where are my iTunes files located?
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
Discovering and changing the iTunes Media folder location
Note: You would usually only change the iTunes Media folder location to share music between accounts on the same computer. See this article for specific steps on how to accomplish this. Also, see this article if you want to know how to move your music to a new computer.
Mac OS X: Click the iTunes menu and choose Preferences.
Windows: Click the Edit menu and choose Preferences.
Click the Advanced pane. iTunes displays the location of your iTunes Media folder.
You can then:
Note where your media folder is, such as for backing up your media.
Use the Reset button to reset it's location to the default (which is the iTunes folder).
Click the Change button to select a folder for a new location. Once you change this location:
If you make a new or alternate iTunes library, the new location will be used by that library.
Existing files will not be moved unless you choose File > Library > Organize library and choose the option to "Consolidate files."
From: Where are my iTunes files located?
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
Cheers,
Sterling

Two user accounts one Itunes Music Folder, How do I keep the Libraries sync

Okay let's see if I can explain my dilemma properly. My girlfriend shares my computer with me, so I gave her a seperate account to keep her stuff in. However I keep all our music on an external hard drive in the iTunes music folder. The problem is everytime I upload new music or delete something on my account/ iTunes library, It doesn't update the iTunes library on her account. Therefore I have to sign in to her account to update her library with new music or delete tracks that have been removed from the Music folder. Kinda a minor thing until you upload 5 new CD's and remove like a 100 old tracks/podcasts, then it gets to be very annoying and time consuming. So is there anything I can do to sync our libraries to the music folder when changes are made? Hope I explained that well, and thanks for your help in advance!
powerbook G4 1 Ghz 12.1 inch Mac OS X (10.4.7) iTunes 6.0.1
powerbook G4 1 Ghz 12.1 inch Mac OS X (10.4.7)

open749
As both libraries are the same you're wasting disk space, so have only one library - yours and enable sharing on it.
You need to be looged in and iTunes running, she will enable 'look for shared libraries' in her Preferences... and your library will show up.
Regards
TD

Multiple users using iTunes

My wife has had an iPod and has already set up iTunes. I recently purchased an iPod and everytime I link my iPod to the computer, it configures the way she already had her iPod set up. Now when I make changes to the iTunes by setting up new folders or uploading my CDs, she will plug her iPod into the computer and it will change her iPod to what changes I have made. And the samething happens when she makes changes, it effects my iPod. Any thoughts as to how we can set up 2 different accounts and the changes I make will not effect her? Please help my marriage. Thanks.

There are basically two ways of using multiple iPods on a computer and these involve:
a) Sharing a single iTunes library and or user account or
b) Creating multiple user accounts.
Sharing a Library and/or User Account
If you want to share the one library, you can set either or all of the iPods so that they only get updated with only certain playlists (you can update from more than one if you wish):
Loading songs onto iPod automatically - Windows
Choosing the update option "Sync Music - Selected playlists" allows you to create a playlist specifically for the iPod and drag the tracks you want into it. If you tire of the list and want to change it, you just add or remove the songs you don't want. The ones you take out out remain in the library to be used some other time if you choose. You can read more about playlists at these links:
iTunes: Creating playlists of your favorite songs
How to create a Smart Playlist with iTunes
Or you can choose to update any or all of the iPods manually and just drag whatever content you want to them: Managing content manually on iPod
Loading the iPod shuffle differs slightly but it can still be used with the others, for details have a look at this page:
Loading songs onto iPod shuffle - Windows
It's also possible to have multiple libraries in a single account. To create or access a second (or more) library, hold down the Option key (or Shift key in Windows) when launching iTunes 7. In the resulting dialogue you will get the option to create a new library or navigate to the other Library.
Note: You can only have one Library open at a time and iTunes will default to the last library opened if you don't use the keyboard command to choose one. This can prove tricky when using multiple iPods, if you don't use the keyboard command you can risk syncing to the wrong library:
Using multiple iTunes libraries -Windows
Separate User Accounts
Another option is to create a separate User account for each person on your PC or Mac. Different accounts by definition would give you completely separate libraries. Each account has it's own iTunes folder, Library and iTunes Music folder and you load it with CDs etc just as you did with your original one. The iPod can be set to update however the owner chooses, sync all, manual or sync specific playlists
I don't use Windows so I can't give you a step by step on that one, however I can point you to another web page which should help you out. You can read about Windows user accounts here:
Using Windows XP User Accounts

Multi-users sharing iTunes data on Tiger?

Dear friends, I've spent some time unsuccesfully searching for an answer on this - can anyone help please?!
I have used my iMac g4 for about 3 years and share it mostly with my daughter. Last week I decided to set her up with her own account using the multi-user facility. However, I want her to be able to access out iTunes music which is in my account. I tried moving the iTunes music folder into the shared area, but then neither of us could access music, we both had empty music libraries.
Is there a simple way of allowing new users to access both the existing iTunes or other data without making copies of all the music in both user's accounts? Ta muchly.

Hello there and thanks for your input!
Actually, I am able to run iTunes with my music files in the new account I set up for my daughter, without iTunes being loaded in my own account. I noticed during reading many pages of help that you do need iTunes loaded in the 'orginators' account for any Macs that you have in a network (up to 5 in the network).
In my case I copied my iTunes Music library into my Public area and then logged into my daughter account to 'point it' to my music library. It does look as if I can delete and add music too, although I haven't tried that yet.
I've just pasted in the following from iTunes help (that I followed): -
Learn how different accounts on an single computer with iTunes can share music.
Tip: If you are trying to share music between multiple computers see one of the following articles:
Windows: Sharing your iTunes library across computers
Mac OS X: Sharing your iTunes library across computers
If you want to share music with other users on your computer , then follow the steps below.
To share your music with other accounts on the computer:
Mac OS X (Click for more)
Quit iTunes.
Locate your iTunes Music Folder. It is stored by default:
~/Music/iTunes or ~/Documents/iTunes/.
These folders cannot be accessed by other accounts on the computer. In order for other users to be able to access your music, you must move it to a publicly accessible location.
The Public folder in your home directory (~/Public), or to another folder outside your home directory that other users have access to, such as /Users/Shared. Tip: The tilde "~" refers to your home folder. For more information see Mac OS X: Using Your Home Directory.
Drag the iTunes Music Folder to a publicly accessible location. Important: Do not move the iTunes folder, the iTunes 4 Music Library file or the iTunes Library.xml file.
Open iTunes.
From the iTunes menu, choose Preferences.
Click Advanced.
Click the Change button.
Navigate in the Change Music Folder Location dialog to the location of your iTunes Music folder.
Click Choose.
To listen to another account's music files:
Open iTunes.
From the iTunes menu, choose Preferences.
Click Advanced.
Deselect the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library file" option.
Click OK.
From the File menu, choose Add File to Library. Note: Windows users can also choose Add Folder to Library to add a folder of songs.
Navigate in the Add File To Library window to the location where the other user's music is saved (the iTunes Music folder in the case above).
Click Open.
Repeat these steps for each account that is listening to shared music.
When another user of the computer has imported new music from CD, repeat steps 6 through 8 to add the music to your library.
Thanks for you link to the iPhoto help - I'm sure I will want to do that next!!
Regards
Paul

IPod Nano: Multiple Users- Single iTunes

We just bought an ipod nano for a second family member. Do I need to install a second itunes so we don't get the libraries mixed up, or is there an easier way?

When the iPods belong to different people, there are basically three ways of using multiple iPods on a computer and these involve:
a) Sharing a single iTunes library
b) Creating Multiple Libraries in a single user account
c) Creating multiple user accounts (every account uses the same iTunes program executable from your Programs File so it doesn't have to be installed more than once).
Note: When you are sharing an iTunes library, you don't have to set each iPod to update in the same manner, you can mix and match from the options below as each iPod has it's own update settings
Sharing a Library and/or User Account
If you want to share the one library, you can set either or all of the iPods so that they only get updated with only certain playlists (you can update from more than one if you wish): Loading songs onto iPod automatically - Windows
Choosing the update option "Sync Music - Selected playlists" allows you to create a playlist specifically for the iPod and drag the tracks you want into it. If you tire of the list and want to change it, you just add or remove the songs you don't want. The ones you take out out remain in the library to be used some other time if you choose. You can read more about playlists at these links:
iTunes: Creating playlists of your favorite songs
How to create a Smart Playlist with iTunes
Or you can choose to update any or all of the iPods manually and just drag whatever content you want to them: Managing content manually on iPod
Multiple Libraries
It's also possible to have multiple libraries in a single account. To create or access a second (or more) library, hold down the Option key (or Shift key in Windows) when launching iTunes 7. In the resulting dialogue you will get the option to create a new library or navigate to the other Library.
Note: You can only have one Library open at a time and iTunes will default to the last library opened if you don't use the keyboard command to choose one. This can prove tricky when using multiple iPods, if you don't use the keyboard command you can risk syncing to the wrong library: Using multiple iTunes libraries -Windows
Separate User Accounts
Another option is to create a separate User account for each person on your PC or Mac. Different accounts by definition would give you completely separate libraries. Each account has it's own iTunes folder, Library and iTunes Music folder and you load it with CDs etc just as you did with your original one. The iPod can be set to update however the owner chooses, sync all, manual or sync specific playlists
I don't use Windows so I can't give you a step by step on that one, however I can point you to another web page which should help you out. You can read about Windows user accounts here:
Using Windows XP User Accounts

Multiple users/sharing itunes music folder

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