Using one iTunes library with Vista and XP on a single PC

Since I have converted my whole CD collection into AAC, my iTunes library
is quite large. I have now installed Vista on a second partition as dual-boot
with my old XP. I would like to access my iTunes library with both OSs - but can (and how) this be done ? I already changed the location in both Itunes to the same path, but the second iTunes running under Vista isnt able to import the songs.
Any hints?
Thanks in advance,
Andy

It's the "itunes library.itl" file in Windows, and the same thing without the itl file extension on Macs.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
You might be able to get it to update both copies in each partition with something like TuneRanger or SuperSync. That would run into some money, esp a Tune Ranger license for both Mac and Windows.
Why not put your ITL file on a USB stick or external hard drive, and run your itunes library from that? You can tell the Mac to use the .itl for iTunes by changing properties on it. That's what I did so I can sync my iPods from either my XP PC or Mac and not get that dratted message about "iPod synced to another library".

Similar Messages

  • How to use one itunes library with 2 different ipods.

    I have had a 30gig for a year, with over 2000 songs in the library, I just bought my wife a nano for christmas, how do i get songs from my library onto her nano????

    You may find my answer to candlefind on the following thread useful to keep both you & your wife happy.
    http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=3799255#3799255

  • Can I share one iTunes Library with multiple computers on a network?

    Can I share one iTunes Library with multiple computers on a network?
    note: one library universally shared, not Home Sharing (one library each, shared to each.)
    I want to share one library stores on my server and access it through various local computers. When I buy a song from a computer (non-server), I want it to be added to the library (stored on server). I want it to auto copy to my server, for organization. I want to be able to sync my phone from any computer.
    Most of this I can do, if i figure out how to use one universal library for all my computers.
    Any ideas how I can do this?

    eyeinit,
    You can authorize your iTunes account on up to 5 computers at a time.
    However, purchased music is downloaded to the first machine to download it, but these articles have more information on moving your music between authorized computers:
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93063
    This one is for moving all your music using an iPod as a storage drive
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300173
    Hope this helps,
    Nathan C.

  • How to share one iTunes library with multiple computers AND Apple TV? Help?

    It seems like my dilemma may not be easily solved. Hopefully it isn't as complicated as I think it will be. Here's the situation:
    My wife hates that, in order to see or do anything with the images she takes, I need to have iPhoto open on my computer (Mac Pro), and she then has to connect to it over sharing.
    By the same token, I don't like that she buys iTunes content on her MacBook, which is sometimes a duplicate of content I already have. Now that the App Store is out, that is going to start getting really expensive.
    So instead, I want us to be able to:
    1) Have ONE iTunes library on the network, and ONE iPhoto library. Both of these would be accessible to any computer on the network. When you launch iTunes, you would get all the media that is in that library.
    2) Both be able to access iTunes at the same time to listen to / watch content.
    3) Both be able to purchase iTunes content, and when it it purchased, it updates that single library. If I buy a song, the next time my wife fires up iTunes, that song is there for her to listen to.
    4) Have our two Apple TV units be able to play content from this library.
    So, I know that we need something on the network. I have a Drobo with DroboShare, so that is one option. I also have a spare Mac Pro laying around, along with a copy of OS X Leopard Server.
    I just don't know what route we should take with this. All I want is for us to share a library, to be able to both use that library, for us to be able to sync content from that library to our portable devices, and for our Apple TVs to also see that library.
    Possible?!

    I'm sort of in the same boat. We've got an iMac with separate User Accounts set up and are currently sharing the same iTunes and iPhoto libraries along with streaming them to our Apple TV.
    Right now I'm the only one with an iPod, however she'll be getting one in a couple of weeks.
    We also just picked up a MacBook yesterday and I'd like to be able to sync certain libraries like iTunes and iPhoto so that no content gets duplicated on either the iMac or MacBook and so that we both have access to the current libraries for each program on our iPods and AppleTV.
    I have an external hard drive that I back up the iMac on and I assume I could manually keep things current with that but there's got to be an easier way...that's why these are Macs right?
    Bill

  • Using ONE iTunes library on an external HDD with TWO Separate Macs

    I have been battling for some time to run one iTunes library on my 160GB Passport between both my 12" iBook G4 and my 15" Macbook Pro.
    While I understand the concept of using the SHIFT-key when booting iTunes to Choose the Library it does not appear to work the way I imagine it should.
    The Library is managed on the Macbook Pro and merely used on the iBook.
    Updates done on the Macbook Pro do not carry across without doing a full consolidation with the Library.
    Please Help.

    *While I understand the concept of using the SHIFT-key when booting iTunes to Choose the Library it does not appear to work the way I imagine it should.*
    On a Mac you hold down the Option key:
    How to open an alternate iTunes Library file
    iLounge - Managing your iTunes Library on an External Hard Drive

  • Using same iTunes library with external hard drive (EHD) on different PCs

    I know some of the issues related to this question have been touched on in different discussions but I don't think I have seen a clear yes/no and if yes, here's how, answer to my queries, so here goes.
    Like another member, I would like to take my iTunes library with me when I'm away on holiday so that I can (for example) use an Apple TV with Home Sharing to watch movies in my library or pay albums in my music library while on holiday, in the same way as I am able to at home. I have a Samsung NC 10 notebook running Windows XP (which I would take with me with a Samsing Story EHD) and a Dell desktop. My iTunes media folders are now on the EHD and I think I have iTunes library files on the Dell and on the Samsung. Of course, if iTunes Match covered movies as well as music, I would use that and just take my Apple TV with me ... but it doesn't and seems not likely to.
    By messing around and not properly understanding some of the discussions about this topic, I think my iTunes library looks as I expect it to be, on my Dell - though I have yet to test this by doing a synch with my iPad or iPod Touch. However, when I plug the EHD into the Samsung and open my library, I am missing at least one movie and I don't have any artwork showing for any of the movies. This is inspite of clicking Get Album Artwork, Consolidate Files and clicking to add, as a file (or folder) to the library, the missing movie which is on the EHD in the Movies folder of the iTunes Media.  In iTunes on the Samsung "Preferences>Advanced", the iTunes media location (on my EHD) is correct.
    I have obviously messed something up trying to replicate my Dell desktop iTunes library on the Samsung. So:
    can/should I start again (if that is the best thing to do) with getting my iTunes library properly on to my Samsung notebook? And, if yes, how do I do that?
    is it really possible to have all that you need to run and use iTunes on an EHD (i.e. both media folders and the various iTunes library files (.itl, .itdb, .xml etc.)) so that whenever I plug the EHD into my Dell or Samsung I can access my iTunes library in the same way and via the same files? Or, do you always have to have the library files (at least) located on the PC you are connecting your EHD to (showing my ignorance here! )?
    if you can have all the library files as well as media on the EHD (i.e. all of your iTunes library), I assume there is more to moving these from the C drive in my Dell to the EHD, than just cutting and pasting them into the EHD and then deleting similarly named files in C drive in the Samsung?
    if all of my iTunes library can be located in the EHD, would I just access that (i.e. open my iTunes library) - whether on my Dell or the Samsung - by pressing the Shift key when clicking on iTunes as a programme on my Dell or Samsung, or - and I appreciate this is more basic computer knowledge than iTunes query - does the fact that I would need to access iTunes via some form of link on the relevant PC indicate why some iTunes library files would always have to reside on the PC rather than the EHD?
    if the iTunes library files have to stay on the relevant PC, how can they be kept in synch - i.e. the more portable Samsung offering the same access and picture of my iTunes library as the Dell does - or is iTunes just not set up to do this, in which case I might as well ignore trying to replicate my iTunes library on the Samsung?.
    Apologies for this long list of questions. Any pointers to where the answers lie or even better specific answers themselves would be very much appreciated.
    Many thanks.

    I think that's yes, yes, yes, yes, and not necessary...
    Make a split library portable
    Here are the typical layouts for the iTunes folders:
    In the layout above right, with the media folder (everything in the red box) inside the library folder, the library is considered to be portable. A portable library can be moved from one path to another without breaking the links from the library to the media, and being self-contained it is much easier to backup and restore. (You do backup, don't you?).
    You can rearrange things to make a split library portable by taking a number of small steps which don't break the library.
    Before you start any media files that are outside of the media folder will need to be consolidated. If the library is in the old style layout then it should be upgraded to iTunes Media Organization (Library > Organize Library > Rearrange files in the folder <Media Folder>) to ensure that iPod Games, Mobile Applications etc. are brought inside the media folder, otherwise the links to these won't survive changes in the path of the library.
    The basic non-fatal manipulations are:
    You can create or connect to an alternate set of library files by holding down Shift (Win) or Option (Mac) when starting iTunes. (Note iTunes will continue to use this library until you use the same method again.)
    You can move the library files to a new location and connect to it there as long as the media stays put.
    You can move the library files and the media together if the media folder is a direct subfolder of the library folder.
    If you have already moved/copied the media content from a subfolder of the library folder to a different location then you only need to copy the library files for it to appear as if you have moved the entire library in the way allowed above. I.e. just copy the library files into the parent folder of the media folder.
    You can rename the media folder to iTunes Media (if it isn't already) if the media folder is inside the library folder.
    iTunes uses the name of the folder holding the library files as the window title. Having made a library "portable" you may need to take a final step of renaming the library folder to iTunes or, if the library files have ended up at the root of a drive, moving all of the library files and content folders into a new folder called iTunes.
    IMPORTANT: After each change you need to open, test and close the relevant library before attempting another change. If a change broke the library, undo it or revert to using the previous set of library files.
    In essence all you need to do to join up a split library and make it portable is copy the library files into the parent folder of the media folder on the external/secondary drive and use the hold-down-shift/option-when-starting-iTunes method to connect to it. Other manipulations may be required to normalize the library so that the library and media folders have standard names.
    tt2

  • Using one music library with multiple user accounts

    I want to use one Music Library and be able to have all my computer user accounts be able to access it. Article 93195 does not work for some reason. It is easy to share music over a network but not on the same computer? This can't be. I have talked to several Apple "Geniuses" and they all scratch their head. One guy could do it in Leopard, but not in Tiger. Could it have something to do with the permissions of the Itunes Music Folder? Any help would be appreciated. This is driving me crazy.

    1 Quit iTunes.
    2 Drag your entire *iTunes folder* from /Username/Music to /Users/Shared.
    3 Log out.
    1 Log in on your other account(s).
    2 Start iTunes and immediately press an hold the Option key.
    3 iTunes will ask to *Create new library* or *Choose existing library*. Select *Choose existing library*.
    4 Select the *iTunes library file* in the *iTunes folder* in /Users/Shared.
    5 Now go to File -> *Add to library* and select the *iTunes music folder* located in /Username/Music.
    6 - iTunes will add all the music in from this account to the main iTunes music folder/library.
    7 Delete the *iTunes folder* in /Username/Music
    8 Restart iTunes normally (don't hold Option). Everything should be there.
    9 Quit iTunes and log out of the account.
    10 Do the above steps for all users. Don't do the first 1-3 steps. Start at the second series.
    Log into your account, start iTunes normally and all music should be there.
    Whenever any of you do anything in iTunes, it will be seen by all since you are using one and the same iTunes library file.
    Create a "main" playlist for each user with their own music. Create a smart playlist and set it to Playlist is not the playlist you created above. Select this and it will show you everything NOT in your playlist. Do the same for the others. This will help when adding only the music you want your own playlist.
    Note that iTunes can only be opened by one user at a time. If you have Fast user switching enabled, the other users must quit iTunes in order for anyone else to use it.

  • One Itunes library for Ipod and touch

    I have a 5th generation Ipod and plan on upgrading to the Ipod touch. Can I keep my one itunes library for both devices or does each device have to have its own itunes account/library?

    You can't do that.
    And before you decide to store any music that you own on a computer at work, talk to your IT department. Many organizations do not permit it for legal reasons. Standard policies are that anything stored on company owned computers is the property of the company. It could not be legally stored on their machines unless you transfer the licenses and all copies, physical and digital, to the company, meaning you no longer own the music. If they were to be audited and could not prove that they own the music, they would be subject to copyright violation penalties. Just use your iPod when you're at the office if you want to listen to music.

  • How do I use one iTunes account with multiple macs?

    I have a Mac mini and am getting a MacBook Pro.  I want to use my iTunes library that currently resides on my mini on my MacBook as well without jacking up anything.
    I have an iPhone, an iPad Air and a classic iPod that are all sync'ed to the iTunes on the mini.

    Hello blcampbell
    There are many different ways to handle this and the easiest way is to migrate you data is to use Migration Assistant. It will migrate not only your music but also other content from your Mac Mini. If all you want is music, you can always just select that as an option. The article below will guide you through that option plus a few others if you are unsure how you want to proceed.
    iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527
    Regards,
    -Norm G.

  • Share one iTunes library on MAC and Windows

    I want to be able to share one iTunes library that will be on a server between a MAC and a WIndows machine.  I know you have to rename one of the library files but not sure about how to go about it.  It will be a brand new library.  Not moving anything.  Anyone have any ideas or know how to go about doing this?

    The main library should be library.itl
    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

  • Easiest way to use one bt device with mac and iPhone?

    What's the easiest way to use one bluetooth device with both Mac and iPhone? (Not a the same time.) I have it working with a voip phone on my mac (x-lite), or with the Bria voip app and the ATT line on my iphone.  What I want is step by step how to accomplish the transition with the fewest clicks. I understand that I can't use it with both the Mac and the iPhone at the same time, and that's acceptable.
    But it's tedious, and I would like to switch it back and forth several times a day. 

    You might be thinking of Crossover. Not sure if Windows Media Player works under it, but their website has info on requested and working apps.
    Best of luck.

  • Can I use *one* iTunes library for both MacOS and Bootcamp/Vista?

    Does anybody know if there is a way to use and administer the same library both from MacOS and Bootcamp/WinOS?
    I have Paragon's "NTFS for MacOSX", so I could actually move the library to the NTFS partition and use it from both OSes.
    The thing is, the changes made on one version won't appear on the other system.
    Is there a way to make both iTunes clients read/write to the same files? Is the file format of the Mac-iTunes identical with the one used by the Win version?
    And isn't that an interesting question...?
    Thanks for replying and cheers,
    uu

    The music files are currently on the Mac partition of my MacBook. I plan to move them to the Bootcamp partition, so when using "NTFS for MacOS" I can both read and write there from either partition.
    To facilitate administration (e.g. when I add music files using the Mac iTunes, the Windows iTunes doesn't realize the change) I wonder if I can somehow teach both iTuneses (the one on the Mac side and the other one on the Windoews side) to write to/read the same (XML??) admin files.
    ...which then will have to reside on the NTFS partition as well to be readable/writable from either partition.
    Is there a way to change the default path for the library files?
    Message was edited by: Double-U

  • Use one iTunes Library for both my MacBook and Mac Mini

    Hi,
    I want to make a few changes in my configuration, but before something will go terribly wrong, I want to make sure I use the correct approach.
    Yesterday I got a and on an older Mac Mini Model (G4 - only 40GB hard disc). It runs Leopard. It does not have Wifi, but it is connected to my modem/router.
    I also have a MacBook. Currently I have my iTunes Library on an external HD (WD mypassport 320GB) that I hook up to my MacBook when playing music and syncing my iPhone and iPod.
    However; I want to use the Mac Mini as a 'Mediacenter' (Big term, because it cannot play HD movies (processor is too old; I mean I want to use it for iTunes and as a DVD player). I have another external HD (Lacie - 500 GB; bigger than the one first mentioned, but this one is not a mobile device). I want to hook this HD to the Mac Mini and put my iTunes Library on this HD so it can be approached through the Mac Mini. Subsequently I want to approach the same library on my Mac Mini on my Macbook…This to control and manage the iTunes library and to keep syncing my iPhone through my Macbook (this is easier to do, because the Macbook has a Keyboard….)
    Few questions;
    1: is this even possible?
    2: to transfer my library I will use this method http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751?viewlocale=en_US
    First copy the library from the WD HD to the Lacie HD; then choose the library on the Lacie in iTunes on the Mac Mini
    Then I will have my iTunes Library copied to the Lacie and connected to my Mac Mini.
    Then for the second and 'harder part'. The Sharing of one Library over two Macs.
    I think I can use the homesharing option. The above mentioned method transferred the whole current library and I can choose the option to automatically transfer new content from my MacBook to the Mini (correct?). But this leaves me with two libraries with the same content (one on the Mini (Lacie) and one on the Macbook (WD).
    Is it possible to use only one library (the one on the Mini) and approach and manage it on my Macbook and also syncing my iPhone through my Macbook? I understand that it will loose some speed as the data will be transferred through Wifi from the Mac Mini to the MacBook. But as I will not listen to the music on my MacBook, but only will use it to manage the library, I can handle this….

    I managed to transfer all music, movies and tv shows to the External HD (Lacie) and connected that one to the Mini. Then imported all files to the library on the mini. Quite easy!
    The second part I left out. It seems the home sharing option works fine for now. I can still 'manage'the library on the mini from my Macbook with the 'share screen' option.

  • Sharing one iTunes Library with Fast User Switching

    Last year, I started using one MacBook Pro for Office use and Personal Home use, by creating two user accounts on it, and enabling Fast User Switching. I did this when I gave up using two separate desktops macs.
    Now I have two rather similar music libraries, taking up too much hard drive space. Once I enabled Music Sharing in my Office iTunes Library, I realized that I could gain access to that Office Music Library when I am on my Personal Home User account. Since my Library on my Office account is the most complete, can I eliminate the iTunes Library on my Personal Home User account, to save hard drive space?
    If so, how should I do this?
    MBPro17, Pbk17 G4 1.67, Pbk G4 12 1.5, iMac G4, various G4&G5's   Mac OS X (10.4.8)   Airport Extreme & Express

    Glen
    Since my Library on my Office account is the most
    complete, can I eliminate the iTunes Library on my
    Personal Home User account, to save hard drive
    space?
    Yes.
    If so, how should I do this?
    Move the iTunes folder in Home/Music on the Personal
    Home User Account to the desktop.
    Launch iTunes. Unable to locate a library file, it
    will create a new one, empty one in a new iTunes
    folder at Home/Music.
    Connect to your shared library as usual. If
    everything is working as expected, trash the iTunes
    folder on your desktop.
    Regards
    TD
    My iTunes was created under an admin. user profile that I would like to delete. I created a second profile also with admin privlages but I want to delete the first because I messed up the shortname on the profile. So, if I delete this first profile, will I lose all of my music? Will I lose access to the music?

  • One itunes library with multiple macs (Wireless external HD)

    I just bought 3 macs and a 6TB External network drive. I would like to have all of my media on the external drive and have all 3 computers with the ability to add/access content. Can this work? I need the iTunes libraries to update when content is added from any of the three computers.
    Thank you in advance

    Don't just put the media on the external, put the whole iTunes folder, media and all, on the external.  That way any Mac getting access to the external will use the same library (but only one can do so at a time).  For each computer start iTunes and immediately hold down the option key to enable selection of the library location.

Maybe you are looking for