Sharing I tunes music library between different user logins on same PC

Due to my computer crashing I recently bought a new PC running Microsoft Vista. I am attempting to set the PC up so that different members of the family can have their own login. I have downloaded I tunes 7 and it shows on each desktop. My problem is that I cannot figure out how to share the music library between each login.

the following document may be of some assistance with that:
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer

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Can I share iTunes library between different users on the same pc

I want to know if and how I can share an iTunes library with other user accounts on the same laptop? Can anyone help please.

Jim, sorry, I should have mentioned that permissions issue.
I have a similar setup on a Mac mini. I have the entire iTunes library in the shared folder and on each user account, I point it to that iTunes library file. That way there isn't a permissions problem when multiple accounts are connected to it.
The only problem with that is that each user account connected to that iTunes library can make changes to the library file (ratings, playlists, etc.)

How can I sync the same iTunes 11 library between 2 users on the same Mac?

With iTunes 10 I was able to have one main iTunes library under one user and have a second user (on the same Mac) access it by putting an alias of the iTunes Libray.itl and iTunes Music Library.xml files in the second user's iTunes folder. This ensured that the library remained synced regardless of which user added or made changes to it. With iTunes 11, I am no longer able to do this. If I try I get the following error pop up: 'The iTunes application could not be opened. An unknown error occured (13014)'. If I delete the aliases in the second user's account the error message goes away but nothing shows up in the main iTunes window.
I've been able to at least access the iTunes library (which is stored on an external drive) with the second user by changing the iTunes media folder location in advanced preferences to the main iTunes library and then selecting file/add to library and selecting the iTunes media file which (eventually) pulls up all the song/movie/apps etc. information. However, the 2 libraries do not remain synced (i.e. a change in one does not show up in the other).
Anyone know of a way to get one library to remain synced between 2 user accounts on the same machine with iTunes 11 or am I going to be forced to delete and recreate the second user's iTunes info frequently to 'catch up' with the original?
Any help would be appreciated.

I'm surprised the alias method worked, and it certainly isn't the prescribed method.
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 - relocating iTunes' media folder to a shared area but leaving separate library files - extra tip at https://discussions.apple.com/message/17331189
Chris CA's instructions on sharing one iTunes music library between multiple user accounts - https://discussions.apple.com/message/8974074 - Multiple users using a single library file - similar post at: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3753008
Suggestion by Turingtest for multiple users and one library - http://discussions.apple.com/message/9117622 - use smart playlists and tags to isolate groupings.
Discussions on using purchases from multiple AppleIDs in one iTunes library - https://discussions.apple.com/message/19543804

Hello there - how can I share my iTunes library between two users on the same computer? I put the library in a shared folder between both and have selected this library on both as well, but when I update iTunes with music etc it only appears on one?

Hello there - how can I share my iTunes library between two users on the same computer? I put the library in a shared folder between both and have selected this library on both as well, but when I update iTunes with music etc it only appears on one?

Thank you Joe - I tried this but it's only showing a teensy amount of music - the stuff on the second users account as opposed to the giagntic library on the 'main' account. I actually went to a Genius Bar and they said that apple doesn't really want you to share music between accounts - parents don't want to hear their kids music etc. Which seemed strange, but it might be the case sadly Thanks anyway!

HT3819 How do I share music between different users on the same computer?

I understand Home Sharing helps me share music across different computers. How do I share between different users on the same computer? We have a few instances of iTunes on a single computer and have to download from the same CD each time. I must be doing something wrong - seems crazy to have several copies of the same song on one hard-drive when Home Share allows for sharing across computers - how do I share within the same computer? Please outline specific steps. THANKS.

Hello Whigged-out,
It sounds like you would like to share one library between two different users on your iMac. I found an article with steps you can take to accomplish this:
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1203
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.

What is the best way to share a iTunes library between 5 users on the same computer?

What is the best way to share a iTunes library between 5 users on the same computer?
Currently I have a common itunes library in a shared folder that each user is linked to. The problem is that when one user adds music to the shared file, it does not automaticaly appear to other users when they open their iTunes. They have to go to the shared library and select the new music in order to make it visable in their iTunes.
Would iTunes file shareing fix this problem?
Thanks

aapl.up wrote:
Rick, are you saying that if you try to share a folder outside of home and use sharepoints, then the other mac wont prompt you to log in? Have you tried that? It is hard to believe that is the case
I am sort of saying that. Have you tried it? I know it's hard to believe, but you really need to help us out by trying some steps that you don't believe.
We can't see what your exact situation is. We sort of know what's worked for us out here. Just trying to help you get this going in less than 24 hours!
Sharepoints manages the samba configuration file. It's free software that puts a pretty face on an otherwise cumbersome config file.
Give it a shot.
windows will not prompt for passwords, I have tried this with multiple computer at home for both vista and xp
As I stated. You will not get prompted on windows, if you have set up sharing in an insecure fashion. You are not using a secured sharing situation.
No argument with your statement.

Share a library between two users on the same mac?

It is possible to share a library between two users on the same mac?

It's doable. As it's been pointed out Aperture has no provisions for file locking so you can't have two users accessing the library at the same time. This includes having one user having the library open only for browsing. Aperture doesn't have a +Read Only+ mode, when it opens the library, even if you make no changes to any images, the library will be written to.
This also means you can't have one user open the library and then stop using Aperture but still have the library open and then have another copy of Aperture open on the library.
Of course if you have two copies of Aperture running even they are on different libraries you'll be in violation of the license and you'll have bigger problems to worry about then a toasted library.

Sharing one Aperture Library between multiple users on the same machine

Is there a way of setting up Aperture so that two different users on the same machine have full rights to do everything?

Ian,
Thanks for the suggestion. It certanly better than nothing, but in my case there is no partition with permissions off and there are other users to whom I wouldn't want to give full rights to the library. As an alternative I thought of simply creating a special user and do all editing from it.
At any rate, it would have been useful if Aperture had something like that built in - like a preferences option, where one could specify a MacOS group name, and Aperture would do all its file/folder create operations within a given library with setgid()/setegid() of that group and corresponding umask() to give rw permissions to that group. Not too hard to do, either.

Sharing iTunes library between different user accounts

I recently purchased my imac and made the leap from the PC world. I set up another user account aside from the general administrator and followed the steps of having itunes folder go to the users/shared folder in an effort to be able to share files between users. I am able to now share the library between users but find that when I load new songs onto one user I then need to go into the other user's account and manually copy the new songs from the shared folder into itunes.
Anyone know how I can have it so when I load songs into one users itunes they will automatically appear in library of the other user's itunes without having to take the step of copying/importing?
Also when I was downloading and importing over 4000 songs my imac had the transparent black box which informed me I needed to shut down my computer at least twice. Should I be concerned? I'm assuming this notice is very similar to the "blue screen of death" known in the PC world so that can't be good especially when I paid the extra $ for fully loaded imac.
Thanks for the help!

DANMAC808, Welcome to the discussion area!
See KB 93195, iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer.
Also when I was downloading and importing over 4000 songs my imac had the transparent black box which informed me I needed to shut down my computer at least twice. Should I be concerned?
That is not normal at all.

Sharing one music library between two users on a mac

I want to set my wife up as a separate user on my mac and share my music file with her so we no longer mix up our iPhone apps. I don't want a second copy on my hard drive. I've tried one method on here HT1203 but it makes a second copy and fills up my hard drive. I do not want to share the whole media library just the music. There must be an easy way to use two iPhones with separate user ids on one Mac so we don't mix up our apps. I would have though that the great Apple would have just sorted this out when you plug in a different device.

First, back up your computer in case it does things you don't like. I'm not testing this on my computer.
You'll have to deactivate iTunes managing your music (deselect in preferences having iTunes organize your music and copying it to your media folder when adding to iTunes). Do the same for iTunes in her account.
Go to your iTunes folder and drag the music folder in Media to the Shared Users folder at the top level of the drive. You may also need to get info on the music folder and change permissions on it and all enclosing items so she has permission to use it too.
It is just possible your copies of iTunes may track all the moves. It would be good if it does. I know I have manage music disabled on my computer and iTunes is good at tracking when I move things around in Finder, unlike when iTunes is totally terrible at tracking when you let it manage music. If it doesn't track then you may have to face rebuilding your libraries using the music in the new location.
You will have to come to an agreement in deleting music. Fortunately in the manually manage mode you are using if you delete a track in your iTunes it will not delete the actual file. You have to manually delete it in Finder which is good because she may still be using the file.
If one of you renames the file, it will affect both. Haven't tried this but in theory you would each retain your individual ratings and last played.
Let us know if it works.
Edit: Found this; compare with my concept piece above:
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 - relocating iTunes' media folder to a shared area but leaving separate library files - extra tip at https://discussions.apple.com/message/17331189

ITunes Library between different users on Same Mac

Hi,
If I create multiple users, say one for me and one for my wife and probably another for a guest, How do I share the music library among all the users? I am a new Mac user and would appreciate your help.
Thank you
Dinesh

iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer describes two methods.
Each method has it's (dis)advantages.
Fast user switching enables listening to each others music, but iTunes of the acount you're listening to, has to be active.
By using this method, you can't mess up each others library.
Putting the music in a shared folder (second method) gives each user full access. If one user adds or deletes files, the others have to do the same.
Hope this helps.
M
17' iMac fp 800 MHz 768 MB RAM Mac OS X (10.3.9) Several ext. HD (backup and data)

Sharing libraries between different user accounts on same Mac

I am having difficulty sharing the same library between two different user accounts. I thought it would be simple matter of allowing the second user account access to the itunes folder in the first user's home folder and then changing location of second user's library in Advanced menu of second user's iTunes. However, second user iTunes still acts as though it is pointed at its default library. Can anyone help me here?

thanks, zevoneer. apparently, I gave up too early in my own search. I'm trying it now - the copy process is taking some time. Well, I had hoped to narrow the access down to only one other account but at least this should provide the access that is needed.

Problems using one music library between two users

I followed to a T the instructions listed under here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 . This was echoed by a Macworld help topic and after several attempts I was able to get the primary user account to recognise the new location of the music files in the Users/Shared folder. I then switched over to the other user account and again tried changing the location and still no luck.
I would like it that all the files are in one location but the two different user accounts for my wife and I maintain separate playlists and ratings so that she can sync her new nano and I can sync my older iPod photo separately.
I tried the alias deal, but it does not keep separate listings and playlists and because I synced my ipod photo first it only shows her nano as a playlist.
Please help, I'm at my wit's end.

Under her account I then started iTunes to do the same. I pointed the app to where the files could be found, but it never populates her library with the songs.
That's normal. Resetting the location of the iTunes Music folder in the iTunes preferences, by itself, only sets where future purchases and imports go. In and of itself it won't reset where iTunes looks for tracks already present. What you need to do now is use the Add To Library command in iTunes and select the iTunes Music library in it's new location. That will then get the tracks into iTunes.
Note for the future that iTunes has no "folder watching" feature, so any new tracks you add from one account will have to be manually added in the other. There is a third-party utility called Hazel that says it can watch a folder and add new content to iTunes automatically, but I haven't tried it myself.

Sharing files and iCal events between different users (accounts) on one Mac

Hi,
I have a new iMac with Leopard. I have two accounts on this machine: one for myself and one for my girlfriend. I want to share files with her such as iPhoto events (so I don't have to import photos twice), iCal events (so I don't have to send her an email to synch our calendars), music from iTunes and other files.
Does anyone know how to easily do this? I have tried the drop folder for sharing but it only appears across a network if I am logged in and won't transfer to different users.
Daniel

thanks, zevoneer. apparently, I gave up too early in my own search. I'm trying it now - the copy process is taking some time. Well, I had hoped to narrow the access down to only one other account but at least this should provide the access that is needed.

HT4914 Can I use iTunes match to share my iTunes library across different users on the same computer?

I'm a teacher and I use my MBP in school and, while I've not had any issues with students looking through my computer, I'd like to use a seperate 'school' user just in case. I need to have access to my iTunes library and I tried moving it to a shared folder but, possibly because of the size of my library, itdoesn't seem to work. Is there a way I can use iTunes match to enable my 'school' user to access my library in the same way I can with my iPhone?

Hey darkmavis86,
Great question, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.
I believe you would benefit from the following article:
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
However, if you do decide to use iTunes Match the answer to your question is "Yes". iTunes Match can be used to "sync" your iTunes library across multiple devices / computers / users.
Thanks,
Matt M.

Sharing I tunes music library between different user logins on same PC

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