Running iTunes through an external drive

I recently changed the path in itunes pref's to be able to play through my external hard drive to save space on my laptop. Trouble is, I noticed that all of the .m4a music files play but none of the .mp3 files show up in itunes. I can click on a track with .mp3 files and they do play. BUT I want to be able to see every album/track in itunes. So it all works but in Itunes I don't have my full music collection to choose from. any suggestions?
signed,
lost in iTunes land

There are multiple ways to resolve that issue, but I recommend the following as it is the easiest way (may take some time though).
Set iTunes to take control of the folder organization. Quit iTunes. Delete your library File. Open up iTunes again. your library will then be completely empty. Now simply drag the iTunes Music Parent Folder onto iTunes (in other words the Folder that contains all your music folders). iTunes should then start to build up a new library file including everything that is in this particular music folder. Depending on your Mac's specs and the size of your library this might take a couple mins to a couple hours.

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Want to run iTunes from an external drive, how?

I want to run iTunes from my external drive, I have already made back ups of my library and media files but I can't figure out how to save iTunes to the external drive? When you download itunes it just automatically downloads to the computer. Can you even do this? If not, how can I use the saved info on my external drive (library and media files) with my itunes on the computer. The problem we are trying to solve is a lack of space on our computer and we want to free as much space as possible. Thanks!

I want to run iTunes from my external drive, I have already made back ups of my library and media files but I can't figure out how to save iTunes to the external drive?
Drag the iTunes library to the external drive, launch iTunes with the Shift key held down, and point it there.
(56927)

How do I run iTunes off an external hard drive?

I have an 80GB laptop which is getting pretty full, so I've added a 500GB external hard drive with the intention of transferring my music files (amongst other things) to the external drive, freeing up space on the laptop. This has proved (almost) more trouble than it's worth...
Initially I simply copied iTunes over to the external drive using Windows Explorer. Surfing the apple discussions, however, convinced me that I ought to do the "consolidate library" thing as well (which resulted in me duplicating the files on the external drive). Finally sorted that out, deleted the music files on the hard drive, and discovered that my music library was allegedly "empty". Further surfing on apple discussions made me decide to copy the various iTunes library files from the main iTunes folder back to the hard drive. This has resulted in iTunes being unable to open, due to an "unknown error".
I'm ready to give up! Anyone out there successfully running iTunes off their external drive? How do you do it?

Follow up: My next move was to copy my iTunes folder back onto the hard drive. I had only been doing this for ten minutes (the process took twelve hours the previous time I did it) when iTunes was up and running again, and indeed "seeing" all my music files on the external drive. I cancelled the copy process, deleted all the newly copied iTunes music files from the hard drive, leaving all other files intact, and everything seems fine. The problem is now solved, but I'd nevertheless be grateful if someone could explain to me what was going on!
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Why can't I move my iTunes library and run iTunes from an external hard drive?

I've been having issues with space on my Macbook pro, so I wish to move my music in order to free up more space. I have been following the instructions on how to run iTunes from an external drive, but each time I attempt it only the 'Automatically Add to iTunes' folder copies to my drive - which has nothing in it.
What is going on?

Which exact set of instructions? Just about all of them are wrong, even the ones that specifically say how to move your library.
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 iTunes Library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.
For the record there's this reference for iTunes 11 but it really doesn't strike me as having the specifics you need. iTunes 11 for Mac: Move your library to another computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH12168

How do I run iTunes without my external hard drive?

Hi,
I have uploaded all my music to iCloud so am under the impression I do not need my local files which are all stored on a 4TB (not fun to move around) G-Tech drive.
I cannot run iTunes without the hard drive plugged in, if anybody knows a way for me to play my music through iCloud on just my internet-connected laptop that would be much appreciated.
Many thanks,
Michael.

Change where iTunes thinks your library is by opening iTunes with the option key selected and create a blank 'iTunes library' on your internal drive.

How to run itunes off an external hard drive using the new itunes

I have windows 8. I installed the new itunes and I want to know how to run itunes off an external hard drive.
thank you for your help.

Same way as before, hold down shift as you start iTunes, Choose or Create a library.
tt2

Can i download and run itunes from an external hard drive

can i download and run itunes from an external hard drive?

The iTunes application should be on the boot drive but you can keep the iTunes library on an external.
hold Shift when launching iTune sand select Create library and select the external.
This will create an iTunes folder on the external with all the library files and all media will also go into this folder.

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I am having a problem w/ my itunes working correctly due to accidentally running Itunes through my troubleshooting, running programs made for previous versions of windows!! How do I turn it off?!??

I am having a problem w/ my Itunes working correctly, after accidentally running Itunes through my troubleshooter to, Run Programs Made For PreviousVersions of Windows. It keeps popping up that the Compatibility Version is on, to make sure it's off before opening my Itunes Account. I've looked everywhere, Please, Please, How Do I Make This Right??!??

It sounds like either your hard drive or the SATA cable that connects it to the motherboard are failing. This could be heat related in your case, which is why you see it after it runs awhile. You can take it to the Genius Bar for a free evaluation. If you decide to test it yourself, I usually suggest moving the hard drive to an external enclosure. If it works there for awhile, the cable is probably the issue.
http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-2-5-Inch-Aluminum-Enclosure-EC-TB4P/dp/B005EIGUD4/ ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1397647657&sr=8-3&keywords=2.5+enclosure
http://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_13%22_Unibody_Mid_2009

How can I run iTunes on my external HD via a PC?

My 54 GB iTunes library was transferred from a Mac to an external hd. I want to run iTunes via the external on an old Dell PC Inspiron 700m. I don't have enough hard drive space to transfer that 54 GB.
I've tried changing the advanced preferences to point to the iTunes folder on the external, but that didn't work.
I tried the 'choose a library' option with the shift open, and found no .itl file in any of the iTunes folders on the external, though all my music, video, album artwork, etc are there on the external in the correct folders. Is this a translation issue of the Mac files not having file extensions the PC recognizes?
If you are kind enough to answer this request, please keep in mind that I haven't used a PC in almost 9 years, so I find doing anything on it challenging.

Thank you for the reply!
All the files were copied:
Folders (with content):
Album Artwork
Automatically Add to iTunes
iTunes Music
Mobile Applications
Previous iTunes Libraries
Files:
iTunes Library
iTunes Library Extras.itdb
iTunes Library Genius.itdb
iTuens Music Library.xml
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Try the following user tip:
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Question on iTunes libraries on external drives

Back a few years ago I put my itunes music library lived in a NAS drive. If the drive was not mounted however when you launched iTunes the library would reset resulting in a blank iTunes.
This was such a deal breaker for me in the end I ditched the nas.
Now I have my itunes library on an external USB Harddrive. If for some reason the drive is not attached when launched, all that happens is you see your library of music but when you select anything a little alert icon goes next to it with a warning the music could not be found. When you attach the harddrive all is well again.
A friend has an extreme base station with his music folder on. And has just explined to me the self same issue as I used to have.
Can someone explain why iTunes will sometimes work fine, and sometimes reset depending on how it feels? Is there a way to predict this, and more importantly ensure that iTunes simply says it cannot find the tune, and not reset the whole library. Which is a most odd behaviour anyhow.

Your iTunes folder on your Startup Drive (in your USER>MUSIC>ITUNES folder) contains a file that is the roadmap to all of your songs, ratings, playlists, etc. Your iTunes application (in the applications folder on the startup drive) is, well, the application (like an engine) that runs iTunes.
By default, your iTunes Library (where all your actual MP3 files are stored) is in that iTunes folder (in your USER>MUSIC>ITUNES folder). However, when you store it on an external drive, you usually change it's location (in Preferences) so that iTunes knows where the Library is located.
So.....what's probably going on is that you have iTunes set up right for an external drive and it will run properly when that drive is plugged in. iTunes knows where everything is because all that info is contained in the file I mentioned. When you start iTunes and your external drive is not plugged in, iTunes will default to the iTunes Library in the folder on your Startup Drive (USER>MUSIC>ITUNES folder), which is probably empty. It knows where all your songs are on that external drive, but can't access them b/c the drive is off or disconnected.

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Quit iPhoto and drag your iPhoto library to the external drive (just one big drag - do not drag components)
Then launch iPhoto while depressing the option (alt) key and point use the select library option to point to the external drive - verify your library on the external drive by using it for a while and then you can delete the iPhoto library on your internal drive or you can switch back to it and delete some photos by using iPhoto to move them to the iPhoto trash and emptying the iPhoto trash
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LN

Is it possible to run iTunes from a flash drive?

Hi Everyone,
I just would like to know if you could run iTunes off a flash drive? It takes up alot of space on my hard drive and was hoping to free some up. I have an 8GB iPod and currently it's filled with 6.08GB of music. I purchased a 16GB flash drive and was thinking I could run it off there. See I don't access iTunes all that often and hopefully won't kill the drive. I guess the next part would be how should I go about it if it's posible?
Thanks so much in advance!

You can certainly put your library on a flash drive, though I'd strongly, strongly recommend that you have another copy of your library elsewhere, as flash drives are easily lost, broken or corrupted. You cannot count on tracks always being available for redownload from the iTunes Store, if you have any such.
The easiest way to move your library is to just drag the entire iTunes folder (the _entire_ folder, _not_ just the iTunes Music folder) to your desired location. Then hold down the Shift key while launching iTunes. You'll be given a dialog box where you can select the iTunes library you want to use. Navigate to and select the iTunes folder in it's new location.
Note that this procedure assumes that all of your tracks are contained in the iTunes folder. If they're scattered around your volumes, moving them becomes much more complex. And don't launch iTunes with the flash drive not mounted or iTunes will default back to the internal drive. If it does, though, just mount the external drive and launch iTunes with the Shift key again.
Don't delete the tracks from the old location until you've confirmed that they're working correctly from the flash drive.
Regards.

I redirected iTunes to an external drive and moved my iTunes library and folder, but my hard drive is still low on space. How can I be sure that my music is all on the external HD ONLY, especially with the new iCloud technology?

I redirected iTunes to an external drive and moved my iTunes library and folder, but my hard drive is still low on space. How can I be sure that my music is all on the external HD ONLY, especially with the new iCloud technology? It doesn't look like I created any more space by doing this, AND I totally lost all my iTunes playlists. I'm not sure if because I added old library materials manually if this messed up my playlists, or if the new location is just not reading my moved library. In any case, I followed step by step instructions and found a few holes and thought I'd just "figure it out" but I guess I'm not as smart as I thought since I'm still scratching my head many hours later.
Thanks for any support ;-)
Eaglerocker

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) so you get a prompt to select a library, then guide it to the 'iTunes Library.itl' file in the moved iTunes folder.
If this is to a new computer and you put the copied iTunes folder in the default location of Macintosh HD > Users > *User Name* > Music then you don't even need to start with the option key held down, iTunes will automatically look for it there. (Make sure there isn't anything already in the iTunes folder there that you want to keep since you will be replacing it with the one you are moving.)
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.

Running iTunes through an external drive

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