One iTunes media folder for multiple users

Hi there,
I'm having trouble getting iTunes 9.0.3 to let me share one media folder across two users. I want to be able to share and update the contents of the media folder from either user account. I had this going before I updated thanks to another discussions post and a little program called BatCHmod, but now it doesn't seem to be working. Not only that, iTunes can't find some of my apps. Help?
It would also be great to be able to do the same with iPhoto.
Thanks.

Welcome to Apple Discussions !
There's no easy answer for this one. Even the best options still require ongoing maintenance to keep things aligned.
The Consolidate command, unlike your expectations, only examines the current files known to iTunes and copies/reorganizes them into the "Music Location" setting. It does reattach files that were already moved to another location.
Generally speaking, the best option is to work from the computer with the largest/most complete set of music, consolidate it to the new drive, and then use a manual method or recreate the library on other computers using the network location. The "manual" method involves manually editing the "iTunes Music Library.XML" file on the computer to replace the old file location string with the new network location. As long as iTunes was maintaining files in its preferred location (drive:\...\iTunes Music\artist\album\song) this method can magically make the other iTunes' look to the new location for the file.
As for the "missing file" entries, here's a slightly automated cleanup routine.
* select all the files in the iTunes library list
* Get Info
* set BPM to 99 (presumes you don't rely on the BPM field for real data), missing files won't be updated (of course)
* after that completes add BPM to the Library view (ctrl-j or "view options") and sort the library by BPM
* all the missing files are now grouped together so you can easily delete their entries.
As for after all computers are using the network drive...
When a user adds music to their library, other users will not see that new entry. You have to manually drag those new files into the iTunes library on the other computers.

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How to Share One iTunes Media Folder on a Windows Laptop and Mac Laptop

I have an HP EX490 Home Server setup. I want to use the Music Share volume to act as the home for all of our music. I am using a MacBook Pro and my wife is using a Dell Windows Vista Laptop. I have my iTunes pointing to the iTunes Media Folder on the Music Share. The iTunes Library resides on my laptop in Music/iTunes/Library. I used the consolidate library feature and it moved all the music to the appropriate iTunes folder on the Share. Now I want to do that with the Windows Vista Laptop. I have the Vista laptop pointing to the Share for the iTunes Media folder location. The question is how do I add the files to her library? Do I "consolidate library" again or just "add folder to library"? Also do I keep the boxes checked "Keep iTunes Media folder organized" and "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library" under the Advanced Tab in Preferences? Would greatly appreciate the help. Lots of music/videos and only want to do this once.
Thanks in Advance
Tom

Tom DePrenda wrote:
I used the consolidate library feature and it moved all the music to the appropriate iTunes folder on the Share.
Good!
I have the Vista laptop pointing to the Share for the iTunes Media folder location.
Good!
The question is how do I add the files to her library?
Go to your File menu and use the command Add Folder to Library. When the dialog comes up, point it to the Music folder in the Share area. But read on first...
Also do I keep the boxes checked "Keep iTunes Media folder organized"
You must turn off the "Keep..." option. Otherwise, when one of you changes a tag, iTunes will re-"organize" and the other person's iTunes will lose the link.
The "Copy..." option should also be turned off. As you add new music, put it where you want it. Then you must "Add File to Library" from each iTunes.

Deleteing folder for multiple users

Good morning all -
As most people would admit, I am terrible at scripting in any form. In short, I need assistance with a dummy proof script to delete the contents of a folder for multiple (150+) users, without having to touch each users profile. I would
prefer to be able to execute the script when needed. This won't be listed as a scheduled task or setup as a netlogon. The path is as follows:
C:\Users\michael.jannise.ctr\NS5\tmp
It can either be set to delete the tmp folder entirely, or just the contents of the folder. Which ever is easier.
I would greatly appreciate any assistance provided!
Regards,
Michael

I was going to warn you but this is more fun.
Understanding Windows and the Windows file system is always a big problem for non-technicians.
Learning this technology requires some time for testing things until you understand how they work. You really cannot learn this by asking people on the Internet to give you answers.
The command, as posted. removes only the "tmp" folder contents. How to make that clear is not clear. It needs to be tried. THe safe way yo do thisis to make a parallel structure and test that.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Well, I can play the game! :) I know I should spend the time working with this type of technology but, I would not execute it day to day and would most likely still make mistakes.
I am extremely grateful for people like yourselves who are willing to share the knowledge!

How do I use one downloads folder for multiple users?

I recently added my girlfriend a profile in my Imac. We both have seperate Profiles and logins however I would like to find out, if the the Downloads folder can be used by both profiles. I found that each profile has their own Downloads folder, and goes to their own locations.
I would like to find out, if its possible to re-direct my downloaded files as well as her downloaded files into just ONE "Downloads" folder. The default destination of the downloads folder would be /users/girlfriend(name of girlfriend). I want to change it to /users/(me) so that all downloads would just go to one folder.
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Having one iTunes music library for multiple computers via TimeCapsule

Hi there,
I'm just wondering how to best set-up my iTunes library. I want the library on my TimeCapsule wireless hard drive, and to be able to set this as the library for multiple computers at home. It's a waste of space to have duplicate libraries on both computers.I had this working with an earlier version of iTunes, but its not working now.
I also want to know how I can get the wireless device to fire up simply by pressing the iTunes icon. If I do this without, iTunes says it can't find the library.
Thanks.

Frank, yes. Only one library of the songs and content if it's stuff from the Music Store.
If the music is your own CD rips, then you can put all the music on a central server and have all the computers connect in on your home network.
You do NOT set your iTunes to share their libraries, or look for shared libraries, you manually do the drag-and-drop with your networked music folder into the iTunes library window and each copy of iTunes behaves as if the network volume is it's own.
The only shortcoming to this is if you add music with one machine, the others will NOT have the new songs added to their own library lists unless you drag and drop the songs into the iTunes library manually for each computer.
I have enough music that I have broken down the library list into five folders, A-E, F-J, K-O, P-T, and U-Z. When I add new songs, the folders they're in will be added at the root Music Library folder level, so I can refresh the libraries with the new music THEN manually file it into one of those five correct folders.
This is what my network library looks like:
http://home.comcast.net/~foodandart/Network%20Library.jpg - you can see that I haven't added the Clapton, BBC, Roxy Music, etc, to the library lists for the entire house.
The G4 frankenbeast computer in our living room, is the media server for the house and has the stereo system rigged through it and is used to rip vinyl and watch the video. I still have to refresh the libraries in my husband's laptop, and on my main internet computer, so those albums haven't been filed yet.
Of course the caveat here is that I haven't a single item that's purchased through the Music Store and thusly locked down, since I rip my own LP's and CD's, so everything is much more flexible in how I can handle it.
Deb.

One address book library for multiple users on notebook

Good morning! I have been searching the forums but only find solutions if you are running OS X Server. I just bought a MacBook Pro running Leopard and my wife and I have separate accounts so we can keep our iTunes libraries, etc separate. I was able to successfully share an iPhoto library and now want to do that with Address Book. Any tips on how?

I am new to the Mac and looking for the same solution of sharing the address book without using a mobile me account nor any other type of server. I have been searching the forums and have not found a solution for a very simple problem.
Can anyone tell me how to share the address book so my wife and I see the same exact address book and both have permission to make changes?
iPhoto was easy to share by moving my iPhoto library to the "Shared" users folder. I allowed read and write access to the iPhoto Library for both users, but my wife's account does get an error when it tries to save. It mentions that some recent changes may be lost. I double checked and my wife's account does have read and write privileges.
Perhaps this is what eeperman meant by limited function.

Can you use one itunes gift card for multiple app stores?

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No. To use the iTunes gift card you redeem the card, which puts the entire balance of the card as a credit for you to use on your account.

HT1449 Where is my original iTunes Media folder?

I am trying to free up space on my internal HD, so followed the instructions in this article: iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
I believe I have successfully moved the music and media files to my external hard drive and iTunes recognizes their new location. Step 14 says "
After the folder has been copied, locate your original iTunes Media folder, and drag it to the Trash." The default iTunes media folder location is /Users/~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music. Is the "iTunes Music" folder the correct folder to drag to the trash (and then empty trash) to free up space on my internal drive?

Since no one responded to my post, I experimented with deleting individual albums from the iTunes Music folder and no problems were created. I then proceeded to delete (trash/empty trash) the whole folder. However this did not appear to free up any space on my internal drive. The next day my mac hung on start up no matter what I tried. It turns out that the internal drive was bad. I now have a new larger hard drive, so I can move my iTunes Music folder back to the default location.

"no authorization to write in Itunes Media folder"

when I want to import a cd in Itunes, I got the message "no authorization to write in the Itunes Media folder". How can I fix this?

With those settings all music that you add will go into the specified media folder structure. If you want to make sure that all your music (specifically, that added prior to changing the iTunes Media folder location and/or the other two options) is there you need to perform an extra step - just changing the iTunes Media folder location doesn't move anything that was previously added to iTunes and stored in a different location. To make that change, select File > Library > Organize Library... and when you see this prompt:
click the Consolidate files check box and - if its not greyed out - the Reorganize files ... check box. Then click OK - this will move any media files that are linked from your iTunes library to other locations to the standard folder structure under the iTunes Media folder,
For more info, see Turingtest2's documents on:
Make a split library portable - details on how to bring your library into a "well formed" layout for ease of organization as well as creating/maintaining a backup
Getting iTunes & Windows Media Player to play nicely describes how to avoid issues resulting from iTunes and WMP conflicting over file and folder locations.
(Edit - for media that you've purchased via your phone, you'll need to make sure that all iTunes Store purchases are downloaded onto your PC - see Re-download or transfer your iTunes Store purchases from an iPhone, iPad or iPod to a computer - Apple Support)

How can I move my iTunes media folder from users/shared back to one user account?

I shared my music with multiple users on one macbook pro.
Like on the Apple support discussions described I changed the iTunes media folder to users/shared. My question is how to reverse that action? Once I reset the media folder location it tells me /users/name/music/itunes/itunes media, that would be right but the files remain in users/shared?

Tell us what the underlying objective is in all this. You came here asking how to move a media folder but now we're getting into user libraries and moving things back and forth to their original locations. Why move it in the first place if you are just putting it back? Maybe you don't need to move things.
Read these to learn more about how iTunes works. If you move the wrong things you can end up breaking links. This goes double for moving things to other drives.
What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
It is almost certain that nothing you are doing will require removing the iTunes application itself. Asking that tells me you are doing something relatively complicated with insufficient background -- kind of like somebody asking me how to use a power saw. I can tell them, but when it sounds like their project is painting a room one begins to wonder if they are going about things correctly. That said, organizing/consolidating copies files. Open iTunes, get info on a track, look at summary and see where the file is now located iTunes uses to play the track. It should be in the moved location and it is okay to delete the others.

Can I use one itunes account for multiple users and multiple devices

Can I use one itunes account for multiple users and multiple devices?

The iTunes EULA, as I understand it (I'm not an attorney )for Apps is basically that one person can use an App multiple devices, or multiple people can use an App one device..so one to many or many to one, but not many to many....

Can i install itunes multiple times on one computer for multiple users?

Can i install itunes multiple times on one computer for multiple users?

Like most applications you only need to install it once for it to be available to all users. (That said it is possible to install an application and only make it available to the current user, but that's rarely needed.)
tt2

Problems transfering iTunes Media folder from one external HDD to another.

Hey Yinz.
I'm running a MBP 13" 2.7Ghz Intel Core i7...OS X 10.6.8. Recently the NAS that hosted my iTunes Media folder and library failed. I recovered the drive from the NAS...a WD Caviar (WD2500JS), which was originally written in XFS. After substantial effort, I found a process that would enable me to access this drive, and have my Mac read it. This involved a Newer Technologies Voyager Q, coupled with a recent version of (whatever they're calling) MacFuse. It did so sucessfully. Now what i want is to take my iTunes Media folder and library off of the WD, ex-NAS HDD (its original location), and transfer it to a new HDD.
I bought a Toshiba Canvio basics usb 3.0/2.0.
Most online tutorials describe dragging and dropping the folder in the new location. I can connect both HDDs to my MBP, and the transfer will begin...
But.
After the first few minutes...The Finder will not allow me to complete the transfer. I keep getting an error code -8084.
I'm almost certain that the new HDD (which i formatted as Mac OS X Journaled in Disk Utility) is not recognizing special characters in certain file names in my iTunes Library. I have some artists in my folder that require special characters to display their names properly. I realize these were originally written in a Linux format.
So, is there a way around this...other than changing the filenames? I really don't want to destroy the integrity of my library by changing a bunch of characters that accurately identify artists. I guess if all i had was Billy Joel and the Beatles in my library, i'd be Okay...but i don't.
I also read a thread somewhere that suggested that error code -8084 relates to inadequate power distribution of an attached HDD. This also complicates my problem...as the new external HDD (Toshiba) is bus powered, and lacks an option for a dedicated AC power supply.
While i am able to access and use my iTunes as normal...i'm tied to that WD HDD, which is like, over 5yrs old, and i'm really hoping to get my media off that old HDD, and onto a new HDD with the files intact and accurate.
Any help would be much appreciated and welcome.
--j.m.
P.S. I'm running iTunes 10.7

No solid data here but it just seems to me that when I see issues arise about copying data and strange error messages that it has to do when people are using non Mac-formatted drives. I think they kind of work but once you put them under real pressure you just get problems. Maybe I'm just thinking of all those vague error -50 "communications difficulties" messages from people trying to copy their libraries to FAT drives. I wonder if using Terminal to do the copying would help.
Now, there is a difference between placing your media on a drive and your library on a drive. Your library is your whole iTunes folder along with files such as the critical library.itl file and artwork files, etc. Media are just what's in your media folder - music, movies, etc. If you are moving your whole library you can drag and drop copy. If you are moving your media you can drag and drop but then the new drive has to have the identical drive name as the old one (the old and new pathnames have to remain unchanged). Usually the best way to move media is to use iTunes' preferences setting to consolidate your media to the new location. iTunes very easily loses track of files unless you let it do the moving (exception: moving the whole iTunes library folder).
iTunes 10 for Mac: Consolidate your iTunes library - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH990
iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
vs.
iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music [library] to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527 - a somewhat bewildering and not always easily understandable set of options.
Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings: Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive. Open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option (alt) key (shift on Windows), then guide it to the new location of the library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.
Windows users see tip at: https://discussions.apple.com/message/18879381

No write access for iTunes media folder

Every time I try to download updates to iPod Touch applications or purchase music, I get the message "iTunes couldn't download your purchase. You don't have write access for your iTunes media folder or a folder within it." This was working prior to approximately December 20, 2010. I have searched for answers and every single thing I've tried has failed.
I have made sure that my user owns all the files in the iTunes media folder and has write permissions. In fact, I have ensured the user has write permissions for all directories both above and below this directory.
I have removed C:\ProgramData\Apple Computer\iTunes\SC Info as described in http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1277 .
I have moved my iTunes folder to a new one (off the root directory, e.g. C:\foo) as described in http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364 .
I have even created a new user account, which also has the issue.
I am running iTunes 10.1.1 on Windows 7 on a 64-bit AMD Sempron laptop. I have made no significant software changes prior to this problem appearing, though regular Windows and iTunes updates are routinely applied. The device I'm attempting to use is a second generation iPod Touch, but that doesn't really matter - it doesn't need to be connected for the issue to occur.
I apologize for being quite the Windows luser. This is my partner's computer - I'm a Unix and Mac guy.
Thanks in advance!

This forum is for questions from those managing sites on iTunes U, Apple's service for colleges and universities to post educational material in the iTunes Store. You'll be most likely to get help with this issue if you ask in the general iTunes forums.
Regards.

We have 6 ipods and 1 iphone in our house. We have different itunes accounts. We use one computer. How can we share each others music? I moved everybodies itunes media folder to the public folder but when I open itunes I only see that accounts music.

We have 6 ipods and 1 iphone in our house. We have different itunes accounts. We use one computer. How can we share each others music? I moved everybodies itunes media folder to the public music folder but when I open itunes I only see that accounts music. We need different itunes accounts. We share 1 computer but we have different user accounts on the computer.

Adding media directly to the media folder does not make it appear in the library. iTunes doesn't really 'look' at that folder except to go to specific files when you call upon them from a library. You have to drag new content to each user's library, that is assuming each user has their own library.

One iTunes media folder for multiple users

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