Recent media folder/subfolder behavior

I've just noticed that iTunes is placing media files differently in my media folder (on a NAS drive) than it used to. It's hard to say when it started, but things I imported before the holidays seem to be ok.
First, imported music is no longer put in the Music folder—artist and album subfolders are created, but they are put at the "root" of the media folder instead (same level as the Music folder).
Second, movie files used to be put each in a subfolder under Movies whose folder name was the movie title (e.g. Movies > 300 > 300.m4v), but now, imported files are put directly in the Movie folder (e.g., Movies > 300.m4v).
The strangest thing I've noticed is that after watching something I imported years ago (a Louis CK special) on my Apple TV v2, the m4v file is now up where new imports are, and its old subfolder is gone.
Is anyone else experiencing anything like this? I've restarted iTunes, my Mac, and the NAS, with no change. Thanks in advance.

Arch Alcantara wrote:
Ok, thanks. I did a search on media folder and subfolder, file location, and the like, and didn't see any relevant results. Thanks for the update.
Here are a couple of folks with the same issue:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/24505055#24505055
https://discussions.apple.com/message/24559922#24559922
Hopefully Chris's suggestion will work.

Similar Messages

Forgot to tick - Add files to itunes media folder

Hi, im new to itunes and have recently downloaded my cd collection to itunes ( 7000 odd tracks worth)
Ive just realised that i never had the "add files to itunes media folder when adding to library" box ticked.
I would like to know if im am still able to add all my music to the itunes media folder now that they are already downloaded and in my library?
I would like to know this because i would like to use some songs in windows movie maker and when i search for the music using wmm, i can find the itunes media folder but there is no music inside.
Can anyone help on this matter ,
Thanks scott

In iTunes parlance a file is consolidated if it is located inside the iTunes Media folder, and by extension unconsolidated if outside the media folder. The option you refer to, if enabled, ensures that all tracks added to the library thereafter are consolidated, though it won't affect tracks that are already part of the library when you make the change.
Having the files consolidated means that iTunes can, if you wish, also update the file and folder names to reflect changes that you make to tags. A fully consolidated library where the media folder is a subfolder of the main iTunes library folder is also portable making it much easier to backup, restore, move or migrate.
You can consolidate your entire library with File > Library > Organise Library > Consoldiate files, or selected files by right-clicking on them and clicking Consolidate files.
tt2

Setting correct Media Folder in 9.0.2

Since version 7 (or before) I had always set as Itunes Media folder location a share on my Nas like "Q:\Music" and the two options "keep organized" and "copy when adding" checked.
Itunes was able to create under Q:\Music the folder with the artist name and inside this the album folder etc.
Starting from 9.0.2 (I think...) with those setting I have a strange behavior.
If I leave Q:\Music as folder location, when I add a song he create the artist folder in Q:MusicMusic
Actually, he create a second "Music" subfolder inside mine.
So I though to cheat him setting "Q:\" as folder location, but in this case he create the artist folder on the ROOT of the disk !!
Is this a bug ? what can I do to restore the previous situation ?
Thanks in advance
Message was edited by: SandroRiz

@ Wakefields3 - Sorry not to have picked up on this earlier...
Wakefields3 wrote:
Hello tt2, I have been reading these posts and trying to get my head around how iTunes works.
Currently I have D:\music and all the folders beneath this, including a new iTunes\Album Artwork and iTunes\Media.
We previously had an earlier version of iTunes but have since purchased a new computer and loaded v9.
Today I was looking at my folder structure and noticed many duplicates and incorrect spellings, so decided to manually go through and tidy up (using Windows 7 explorer).
Now of course my iTunes library is showing many songs that it can't locate (go figure I should have just left the awful mess alone). I don't really want to have to go through and manually locate each file.
Not a good move - unlike Windows Media Player, iTunes won't watch your media folders and catch up if you move things about manually. Changing files names also has no impact on tag values so changing the name of the Artist folder won't correct what you see in iTunes or on your iPod.
I use iTunes Folder Watch (iTFW) to catch files that for one reason or another have been added or removed from the media folders. It's not so bad on adding new items but it rescans the libary after each delete which is rather inefficient. I've not used the feature but FolderWatch can try to maintain the rating if it can see a file has just moved location.
If you want a simple list of all files that can no longer be found in iTunes create an empty playlist called Found. Select the Music source. Select all items with CTRL-A. Drag this selection onto the new playlist and hover over it holding the mouse button for several seconds until a number displays how many items should be copied. Release the mouse button. Although the number will be the number of items in the Music source only items that can be found will be added to the list. Make a new Smart Playlist called Missing. Match all rules *Playlist is Music* and *Playlist is not Found*. This playlist should contain all the items that are not where iTunes expects them to be and thus have a little exclamation mark. They can be removed en masse from iTunes with CTRL-A to select and SHIFT-DELETE. You can then add the currently unlinked files using ITFW or just get iTunes to scan your entire media folder.
Note if you have any WAV files these don't support tags so data could be lost if you remove & add in this way. These are best reconnected by attemtping to Get info and then searching for the file in the new location before you worry about repairing the rest of the library.
We also have an AppleTV, some movies and some tv programmes, and an iPod Nano that we have to keep track of.
We have some old folders under Various Artist and Various Artists - no real consistency there.
iTunes likes to put compilations in a Compilations folder. It has a custom tag field not used by other media management tools called *Part of a compilation*, any file with this flag set will be put in *Compilations\<Album>\## <Name>* and may be treated slightly differently on various flavours of iPods. Everything else is sorted as *<Album Artist|Artist><Album>\## <Name>*.
For more gory details see my page at http://www.samsoft.org.uk/iTunes/grouping.asp - if you decide to let iTunes manage things then leave iTunes to tidy up as you update tags, otherwise I'd suggest standardising on Various Artists or using the Compilations folder before the tidy up described above.
What I want to know is how to make maximise iTunes and help it work best.
Use iTunes to manage your library where possible rather than Explorer or other tools. It's also a good idea to switch off the media update & organising features in Windows Media Player so it doesn't fight with iTunes.
Therefore:
1) Should I really change my folder structure to D:\iTunes?
Not unless you want to. If the library was in the standard structure as in the illustration moving from D:\Music\iTunes to D:\iTunes would be trivially easy, but given that things are slightly disorganised I'd leave that until later.
2) If so, can I just manually move the folders to be under D:\iTunes
You would just move the folder iTunes from D:Music to D:\ then delete D:Music. Note Vista/Win 7 make this trivial manipulation complicatated by calculating the size of all the files that are going to be "moved" instead of getting on with it. They should in fact all stay just where they are with the one folder entry being maipulated. When Windows finishes the folder move click the icon for iTunes and when prompted naviagte to the library file in D:iTunes.
3) How do I get the iTunes library to ignore the old path and look only at the new one (if I do move the folders)
When you move the library this way iTunes should realise that the media folder location has changed and update the preference accordingly. You can check under *Edit > Preferences > Advanced*.
4) If I do this I imagine I then let iTunes organise the albums - this is currently turned off.
You don't have to do this... I manage my library manually as I don't like iTunes truncating file & folder names and prefer to keep a few sections of my library separate. WIth iTunes set to "Keep organised..." any updates you make to tag info. in iTunes should get reflected in the file strcuture and there's a valid argument that the underlying files & folders don't really matter, what matters is what you see inside the various applications you use to manage the library.
5) And the big bug gear that got me into this trouble in the first place - when I import an album sometimes the artist's name is incorrectly spelt - is there a way around this?
You can edit details before or after importing from CD. If you let iTunes manage your files then file & folder names get updated (with some limitations on string lengths), otherwise if you want to manually manage then you should where possible update in iTunes, tweak track names in Explorer (or use another tool), remove from iTunes and then reimport. This should be done Album by Album or Artist by Artist and iTFW can help catch any strays.
6) And finally, I don't have the media for most of these songs - we left it in storage when we shifties countries, so I can't import again.
Backup, backup, backup... As long as you have the files you can rebuild the library. Once you get your library organised backup the whole thing...
*Fast backup for iTunes library (Windows Only)*
Grab SyncToy 2.1, a free tool from MS. This can copy your entire iTunes library & any other media folders onto another hard drive or network share. You can then use SyncToy periodically to synchronise or echo your library to the backup. A preview will show which files need to be updated giving you a chance to spot unexpected changes and during the run only the changed files will be copied saving lots of time.
tt2

ITunes consolidation creates duplicate files in iTunes Media folder

Hi,
I recently downgraded from iTunes 11.0.2.26 to 10.7 to get around an AirPlay bug i see starting in 11.0.
As a result I need to rebuild part of my iTunes library and am seeing some strange behavior.
I have some Movie files currently in the iTunes Media folder (where iTunes is pointed for the media) -- when I drag and drop these into iTunes and do "Consolidate Library", iTunes creates 2 files (1 is a duplicate) in the Movie folder. For example, if I have a movie titled "HomeMovie" I see the following folders:
"Movies --> HomeMovie" and within the HomeMoview folder I see the following 2 files: HomeMovie.m4v, HomeMovie 1.m4v
There is only a single listing (HomeMovie) in the iTunes interface, pointing to HomeMovie 1.m4v.
Strange.
I can get around this by deleting HomeMovie 1.m4v. and pointing iTunes to HomeMovie.m4v, but this is not desirable.
"Copy files to iTunes Media Folder" is disabled.
I am also seeing this behavior when dragging and dropping files from an external Hard Drive.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Kevin

Hi,
I have been doing some testing on this subject and I agree that PSE does leave unwanted temporary files around.
I checked out PSE 9, PSE 10 and PSE 11 and they all leave the temporary files there. I'm assuming that the files are created as a safety measure for when the main file is updated but as you have found out, PSE doesn't remove them.
By reading other forum threads, I get the impression that Adobe aren't really interested in it as they feel we should tidy up our own file system. It's like taking a walk through the park and dropping some litter - do you pick it up or leave it for the park keeper to pick up. I was always told to pick it up.
I'm not sure whether you are aware, but there is another Adobe forum for bug reports and feeback. I think Adobe may look there more than they do on this forum. I searched that forum and found a similar question asked but nobody has answered. I have added my count and comments with a link to this thread. If you can, it might be good for you to add your count.
http://feedback.photoshop.com/photoshop_family/topics/photoshop_elements_organizer_leaves_ temporary_files
Sorry it's not an answer to your problem, but you are not alone.
Brian

ITunes copies files without the "copy files to Media folder" checked.

I've never been a fan of iTunes. My dislike of its impositive ways is directly proportional to its version (10.1.1(4) currently), so I never allow it to do anything automatically for me. I really like it that way.
In recent years, after a couple of experiences filled with much tribulation, I have never checked either "Keep iTunes folder media organised" nor "Copy files to iTunes media folder when adding to library" under its Preferences, whenever I have been forced to use this accursed application.
But owning an iPod (a couple actually) makes it impossible to live a jovial iTunes-free lifestyle. So yes, I use it on occasion.
Those occasions almost exclusively mean copying music and audio books to and from it. No videos, no Pictures, no nothing else.
I'm using a 4th Generation iPod Touch.
My iTunes library is not on my computer but on an external HD.
Anything I drag and drop to the library comes from folders in that external HD.
Now, the few audio books I own are not even inside my iTunes media folder. They are elsewhere in a folder of their own. But everything had worked O.K.ish so far.
Today, while re-tagging some audio books I asked iTunes to show the file in Finder. And it did. It was indeed inside that external HD... BUT... on the iTunes media folder, not on the folder where I keep those audio books originally.
I checked the iTunes "Preferences" to see if the Gremlins had changed anything. It was as it has always been (with all pertinent options unchecked).
I checked the original folder to see if they had been moved. Nope, they were still there too.
The versions are not the same, since all that re-tagging I'd been doing had of course affected the ones in the "wrong" folder (the one I did not assigned nor agreed to create).
The music is fine (some of which comes from a folder similarly outside the iTunes media folder, although most comes from within), it's just the audio books.
An event of note is that a few days ago, that external HD had a problem and the data had to be moved elsewhere, the HD re-formatted, and the info placed back into it once more. But the paths remain identical since the HD has the same name and the folders are where they once were. I've no idea if this has any effect on anything at all, but I thought to mention it.
So this mystery is such. Any takers?
The questions are: Why does this happen? How can I stop it from happening again (aside from not using iTunes :-D).
It is not that big a problem since I have very few audio books thus the duplicate is not too large, but I'd like to know how to avoid it, if possible.
Thanks in advance for any information on this.

iTunes prefs -> Advanced. Uncheck *Copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library*.
Any reason you don't want them in the music folder? You could add them to iTunes and delete the from your documents folder.

ITunes won't copy music files to Media folder when songs are dragged

I am trying add songs from my external hard drive to my iTunes Library.
I have the following options checked:
"Keep iTunes Media folder organized."
"Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library."
In the past, I could just drag files from my hard drive into the iTunes song list and add them to the library. iTunes would successfully make a copy of the file to the iTunes Media folder so that I could disconnect the hard drive and still play the songs.
Suddenly, this no longer works. iTunes won't make a copy of the file anymore. It won't even make a copy of files located on my desktop.
I found a workaround -- copy the files from my hard drive to the desktop. Then I have to go to File > Add to Library in order for it to work.
It's an extra step, but it was VERY annoying to have to figure out.
So my question -- Is this an iTunes bug or some kind of deliberate attempt at making it hard to use files not purchased through iTunes?
I noticed this on one of the Apple support pages (my emphasis):
Copying music to and keeping the iTunes Media folder organized
You can select these options on the Advanced pane of iTunes preferences:
"Keep iTunes Media folder organized." Learn more about how iTunes 9 and later organizes your media.
"Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library." Select this option to store all your media files in the iTunes Media folder. Since it's all in one location, you can easily transfer or back up your media. When you purchase or import media into iTunes from a CD, it's automatically added to your iTunes Media folder. If you add media to iTunes another way (choosing "Add to library" from the File menu or by dragging an MP3 file into iTunes), it might not be added to your iTunes Media folder.
Well, why the heck not??

I have posted so many issues to APPLE on the staggering lack of basic functionality with itunes and each time they keep deleting it.
Automatically Addd feature does not work consistently if the library is on NAS or a drive not on the same bok as the Mac, iMac or PC.
iTuns will hang if you have the finder window open and the recently added playlist open
itunes will not add files automatically if more than three phases of adding folders to the automatically add to itune folder is refreshed
Once could even jump to the conclusion that the software testing and Quality Control in the iTunes development team had missed out whole chunks of tsting OR that the test designers wrote such basic test scripts which did not replicate real world useage.

Combing two large libraries (over 1.25 TB total) and music will not show up in library but does in media folder. Help?

I'm a Windows PC user, and I'm currently in the process of combining my 12,000+ song library on my laptop (we'll call it Library A) with a 180,000+ song library (Library B, and yes, one-hundred-and-eighty thousand) onto a new hard drive. I have successfully moved Library A from my laptop onto my new hard drive. The method I have tried so far to move the Library B music into A on the new hard drive is by using the "Add Folder to Library" and selecting only a small portion of the folders in Library B's media folders as not to overload iTunes and to be able to pinpoint problems.
This worked for a few small iterations but the moment I tried doing half of the "A" artists (alphabetically), most of the music doesn't show up in the library. Some of it doesn't show up in the regular library but in the "Recently Added" playlist, and some don't show up in either. I have even tried adding just single files now and those don't show up at all.
THEY ALL SHOW UP IN THE MEDIA FOLDER ON THE NEW HARD DRIVE. That is why I think this might be true but I'm not sure: I've heard that it is because iTunes needs to process all the songs before it shows up in the actual library. Is this true? I have waited over an hour for adding about 6,000 songs; half showed up right in the beginning and half haven't yet. When I added about 4,000 just before this, they all showed up without any problems.
Any help? And is there an easier, error-free way to add this many songs into a new library at once? I'll keep this updated for anyone trying. Thanks in advance!
I have tried signing out and signing in and that does not work either.

hey.
finally somebody with the same problem! i bought a new external drive because i was running out of space and backed up my entire library. then my computer crashed and i wanted to take advantage of a clean drive and not add my whole library back onto my computer. i'd love to be able to access my music folder on the external and have that show up as my library on iTunes when connected...
i followed all the steps as closely as possible and am pretty confident that my advanced preferences in iTunes are correct, but the library does not show these songs from the external drive. have you had any feedback or figured it out on your own?! i hope so, i'm at a deadend.

How do I change the iTunes media folder Location and save it?

I have a seagate drive where I store my music and have it shared as "M". Each time iTunes starts up, it defaults back to C:\...... and if there is a device connnected, it transfers the purchases from that device to this directory.
I need to manually go in and change the location each time iTunes starts. Is there a way to save this location as the default? I am on Version 10.
thanks in advance

If iTunes starts up and it can't get access to the location that you have declared as the media folder it will revert to the default subfolder of the library folder. Any downloads or rips will be put in that location until you correct the media folder location via Edit > Preferences > Advanced.
Either make absolutely certain the drive is active and available before starting iTunes or place the library folder on the other drive as well (see this post) so that iTunes either opens normally or warns that it cannot find the library. Note if this is a networked drive rather than locally connected USB/SATA there may be noticeable performance issues with the latter solution.
tt2

How do I get iTunes to scan my media folder and add missing files?

Hi All!!
I recently copied my iTunes library from my macbook to set up iTunes Server on my Sinology NAS. I did this by changing my iTunes Media Folder Location in the Advanced Settings tab, and then consolidating my library. I then changed my Media Folder Location back to my iTunes Media folder on my macbook to be able to play my local media.
However, now my local iTunes thinks some of my library is on my server and doesn't see the local, original file. Whenever I disconnect from the server my iTunes does not locate my local media content (which was not changed or modified during the process). The only solution so far is to individually locate each song. Is there a better way of doing this? Is there a way to make iTunes scan my iTunes Music folder to find the song locations, without duplicating the songs in my library and deleting the play counts/ratings???
I have already tried opening iTunes with the option key held, and selected my local iTunes media folder/library; however, I am still having the same problem
Any help is GREATLY appreciated.
Thank you!
PiotrowskiM

Hi Limnos,
Thank you very much for your prompt response!!
My goal, when I consolidated my files to my NAS, was to create a copy of my library on my NAS to be used for iTunes server, so I can stream the media to my PC's in my house. I did this following an instruction guide made by Synology. However, I did not intend for my macbook to stream media from the server. Ideally I would like for my iTunes in my macbook to just use my local files, which have not been changed/modified.
In summary, is there any way to point my iTunes to ONLY my local files???
Thank you again for all your help!

No audio for some files in the Final Cut Event/Original Media folder

Hi, recently, I noticed that some of the video files stored into the Final Cut Event/"Event"/Original Media folder had no audio. They do have audio when I read them into FCP X but not when I open them as ordinary files in the Finder. It worries me as it makes these files unusable in any other application, unless I "share" them from FCP X. It's no big deal but it's more work and on the principle, it's criminal: why FCP X would strip the audio off an original? Video and photo applications now work on the non-destructive principle!
I usually shoot videos with a DSLR (Canon 550D/T2i) and a GoPro 3. It seems that the files impacted are the ones shot with the Canon and optimized for FCP X. The GoPro files are fine, optimized or not.
Is there any solution to this problem or will I have to export the files from FCP X?

Thank you very much for the info.
I removed the Media Cache and Media Cache File folders. Didn't seem to make any difference. Also, there's no audio if I try to play it in Organizer.
I have a question regaring "import". What exactly does that mean?
Since all my MTS files are on hard drive already, what I did was:
1) Open a new project in PE9.
2) In the "Organize" tab, click "Get Media"
3) Choose "Get Videos/Photos/Audio from: Files and Folders".
4) In the pop-up window, navigate to my folder and choose the existing MTS file.
Was that called "import"?
Thank you again!
Michael

ITunes media folder on external HD issue...

So I have a quick question...
I've been using my external HD to house my iTunes library for over a year now. No issues, it's been working great. When I add new music to my library on my computer, it copies the files to my HD, or just reorganizes the files that are there.
Now.. suddenly.. it's having issues.
I tried clearing out the library on my computer to reimport some key albums I wanted. I notice now that my iTunes is creating a second Music folder inside my already designated Music folder to place the folders... it's now moving all the albums I import from one directory to the other, and I can't figure out how to make it stop.
I've already made sure the iTunes Music folder on my computer is empty, and I've changed the designated iTunes Media folder several times, working fine, then putting it back to External HD > Music .... and it decides no music shall be placed here.
For easy reference, it's creating a path like this: External HD > Music > Music
Eh? Help is appreciated... Thank you guys.

I've been using my external HD to house my iTunes library for over a year now.
I tried clearing out the library on my computer
I thought you just said the library was on your external drive. What's iTunes doing putting things on your computer?
How exactly did you do this move in the first place a year ago? What was it you did recently as part of this cleaning? I strongly suspect that's where things went wrong (maybe at both stages).
iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Quick procedure 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.
Do not confuse moving your whole folder and library with moving just media files as in
iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449
If you did the move using just preferences settings then you did not move the whole library, you only told iTunes where to start storing future media.

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

ITunes forgets media folder is on external hard drive

Hi
I have recently started using a Time Capsule with an external hard drive attached. I have moved my music and video to the external hard drive to free up space on my MacBook Pro hard drive. I have set up iTunes to play from the external hard drive (which works fine), however, although I have changed the location of the iTune media folder in Preferences it keeps reverting to the iTunes media folder on my Mac's hard drive. Is there a way to stop it doing this?
Thanks
Rob

If you have iTunes set to default preferences this is the way to move it:
iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Quick answer if you let iTunes manage your music: Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive. Start iTunes with the option (shift on Windows) key held down and guide it to the new location of the library.
While you can move just media (and leave the iTunes library files on the computer) I personally don't see too much advantage in doing just that, and several disadvantages. In other words I do not recommend: iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449
If you're starting to work with this, these link might help undertand:
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
iTunes 9: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847

Problems accessing iTunes media folder on external drive via Mac

I have recently got a Mac Book Pro and assumed it would be easy to access my iTunes library - which I store on a Buffalo external drive and normally access via my Asus vivobook laptop running windows 8 - by simplying plugging the external drive into the Mac Book Pro, opening iTunes while pressing on the Option key (as I understand it is called) and then selecting the iTunes library .itl file when invited to choose a library. However, when I do this, I get a message saying that "the .tl file is locked, on a locked disc or I do not have write permission for this file".
If I click on the .itl file in the external drive via my Mac, it takes me straight into iTunes but, of course, without any of the content of my iTunes media folder.
I can access the media on the external drive when it is plugged into my Mac and am not aware of ever having introduced any restrictions on the library .itl file (I normally switch the external hard drive between my Dell desktop and my Asus laptop).
I have restarted my Mac Book Pro and quite iTunes etc. I also have the media folder correctly identified on the external hard drive in my iTunes preferences, Advanced Settings.
I would be most grateful for any ideas as to what could be the problem here.
Thank you (in anticipation).
Best,
Michael

Get info on the drive. Check the format. If it says NTFS it is a format that Macs cannot write to, only read, unless you install special software. It is a common issue with using Windows drives on Macs. "Locked" may mean iTunes cannot open it for full use since it needs to write to the library file as well as read it.
Your solution may be to reformat the drive to something a Mac can use fully too, such as FAT (beware file size limits with large video files). or trying to work with a NTFS driver for Mac.
NTFS drivers for Macs (there may be others):
Paragon NTFS - http://www.paragon-software.com/home/ntfs-mac/ - recommendation: https://discussions.apple.com/message/18708633
Tuxera NTFS 2012.3.2 - http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/33122/tuxera-ntfs
NTFS for Mac OS X 9.5.3 - http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/26288/ntfs-for-mac-os-x
http://macntfs-3g.blogspot.com/ and http://i.vishalagarwal.com/post/30387627819/ntfs-write-on-lion-or-mountain-lion

How to change iTunes Media Folder location after Hard Drive Died

I have been trying to figure this out from other posts but can't seem to find what I am looking for. I store all my music files on an external hard drive. Recently, the external drive died on me. Fortunately, I had the external backed up on another drive using Time Machine. I bought a new drive for the music and transferred the files onto the new drive. My question is what do I do next? Currently iTunes still searches for the files on the dead drive and I get the exclamation marks next to each song which is obviously not a surprise. I want to change the Media Folder preferences to the new drive but will I then lose all my playlists? Basically what I want to do is direct iTunes to the new drive and keep everything else intact. Is that possible? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
j

You might read what this has to say about consolidate and dupes.
http://www.keyscorner.com/archives/2009/03/07/removing-duplicate-files-in-itunes /
More info here on consolidation:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive/
Message was edited by: Diane Wordsmith

Recent media folder/subfolder behavior

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