Want to create a 2nd iTunes library and select from existing

I have iTunes match - how do I create a 2nd library and want to use some of the music on the original?
I created a new playlist and couldn't figure out how to make the playlist a library.
Thanks,
Don

Several ways. Easiest it probably copy whole iTunes folder to a different location. Start iTunes while holding down the option/alt key, select the iTunes Library.itl file in the duplicated folder then delete what you don't want.
Yu can also create a new, blank library using the above method. Export playlist from library 1, restart iTunes with library 2, import playlist.
I don't have iTunes Match. I'm not sure how it will react to a second library.

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I want to remove a friends itunes library and account from my hp netbook

A friend set up their original account on my pc; how do I remove it? I don't want their library or account on my hardware... a reinstall of itunes made no difference.
Thanks

Several ways. Easiest it probably copy whole iTunes folder to a different location. Start iTunes while holding down the option/alt key, select the iTunes Library.itl file in the duplicated folder then delete what you don't want.
Yu can also create a new, blank library using the above method. Export playlist from library 1, restart iTunes with library 2, import playlist.
I don't have iTunes Match. I'm not sure how it will react to a second library.

What is causing this? The file "iTunes Library.itl" does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has created a new iTunes library and renamed this file to "iTunes Library (Damaged) 4". This happens everytime I start iTunes lateley. Help!!!

Everytime I open iTunes lately...I get all my music thrown out of the library and this annoying message come up...The file “iTunes Library.itl” does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has created a new iTunes library and renamed this file to “iTunes Library (Damaged) 4”. Is this how an apple works? It doesn't? Why all of a sudden is it doing this? Please help. Thank you.
David

Did you happen to bring this iTunes library over from a windows machine? You might read this kb article to see if it helps http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1451

Why has this occurred The file "iTunes Library.itl" does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has created a new iTunes library and renamed this file to "iTunes Library (Damaged)".

My itunes library suddenly that the file “iTunes Library.itl” does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has created a new iTunes library and renamed this file to “iTunes Library (Damaged)”. I use an external hard drive for my Itunes.

The library file appears to have been corrupted. You say you use your external drive but is the whole library on it or only your media? No matter, you will have to rebuild the library file:
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451

I have tried and failed to copy my iTunes library and playlists from my Windows 8 desktop to my Windows 7 laptop using an external hard drive. Can it be done? Help would be appreciated.

I have tried and failed to copy my iTunes library and playlists from my Windows 8 desktop to my Windows 7 laptop using an external hard drive. Can it be done? Help would be appreciated. I have followed instructions found online but the library of music doesn't pull in. Thanks!
Nate

Migrate an iTunes library from one computer to another
These are two possible approaches that will normally work to move an existing library to a new computer.
Method 1
Backup the library with this User Tip.
Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer want to access protected content on it.
Restore the backup to your new computer using the same tool used to back it up.
Keep your backup up-to-date in future.
Method 2
Connect the two computers to the same network. Share your <User's Music> folder from the old computer and copy the entireiTunes library folder into the <User's Music> folder on the new one. Again, deauthorize the old computer if no longer required.
Both methods should give the new computer a working clone of the library that was on the old one, with ratings, play counts, playlists etc. preserved. As far as iTunes is concerned this is still the "home" library for your devices so you shouldn't have any issues with iTunes wanting to erase and reload.
I'd normally recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library and unlike copying with Windows Explorer the process can be resumed if it is interrupted and it will continue to the next item if there are any read/access errors.
Note if you have iOS devices and haven't moved your contacts and calendar items across then you should create one dummy entry of each in your new profile and iTunes should merge the existing data from the device.
If your media folder has been split out from the main iTunes folder you may need to do some preparatory work to make it easier to move. See Make a split library portable.
Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library or a backup then then seeRecover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device for advice on how to set up your devices with a new library with the maximum preservation of data.
tt2

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How can I transfer my iTunes library and playlists from one computer to another?

Copy the iTunes folder (Mac: Home\Music or PC: My Music) to the same location on the new computer. If an iTunes folder already exists on the new computer (it will on a Mac) replace it with one you copied.

I have a Powerbook G4, an iPhone 4 and a new Macbook Pro. How do I get my iTunes library and apps from iPhone over to the new Macbook pro without losing anything?

I have a Powerbook G4, an iPhone 4 and a new Macbook Pro. How do I get my iTunes library and apps from iPhone over to the new Macbook pro without losing anything?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

I created a new iTunes library and now cannot find the original one, which has a thousand albums on it! What happened?

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Hello b dean jones,
Thank you for posting in the Apple Support Communities. I found an article that lists the default locations for iTunes files:
Where are my iTunes files located?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1391
If you looked in the default locations and are still having trouble finding the files, I recommend following the steps in this article:
iTunes: Finding lost media and downloads
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1408
I hope this helps get you back on track!
Best,
Sheila M.

If i create an additional itunes library and delete the content will the content remain on the original itunes library?

I just created an additional itunes library for my son by holding down shift while opening iTunes. It created the new library but has all of my music listed. If I delete the content in the additional library will the content still remain on the other library?

Make sure your new computer is authorized in iTunes. Disable autosync in itunes, connect your ipod, right click on it in the device list and choose backup.
This will save data, pictures and settings to itunes. See what's included in this backup here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766
Transfer your purchases the same way to copy all apps and bought media from the Store to your computer.
Set up at least one contact and event on your computer to be able the merge your calendars and contacts after your ipod got wiped during the first sync.
The rest of the data can be restored from the backup you made.
Restoring: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414
Music is one way only, from the computer to your device, unless you bought the songs in itunes and transferred your purchases.
There is 3rd party software out there to copy other media, but not supported by Apple, see this thread: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2013615&tstart=0
Message was edited by: Ingo2711

How to move iTune library and iPod from old XP PC to new Vista PC

I am upgrading from an XP PC to a new Vista PC and would like to know where I can find instructions on what I should do to transfer my iTunes library and my iPod to the new computer. Thanks for any help.

I purchased Copy/Tran and, as you described, it was awesome in transferring all 2538 songs to the new computer.
The only problem remaining is that even though it transferred all songs including the 83 that I had purchased from iTunes, when I synced my iPod with the new computer's iTune library, I got a message saying it could not put the purchased songs on the iPod because they were "not authorized".
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I currently own 2 external 1TB hard drives. I am running iTunes directly from one since my laptop memory is very small. However, I have no backup in case of failure. I would like to duplicate my iTunes setup on my 2nd drive but I don't just want to do a "backup". I would like to be able to run iTunes from either harddrive so essentially I need to know how to create a duplicate iTunes setup on my 2nd hard drive.
Then, even if one drive entirely failed, I could just run iTunes off the other one seamlessly. Also, I can take one drive home and use it on my home PC. Obviously, over time there would be small changes occurring to either library but I would handle these manually, duplicating on one what I did on the other.

Organize the iTunes library from within iTunes and then create a duplicate of the entire iTunes folder on the second drive. The library can be moved between computers, but iTunes Store authorization won't be moved automatically and rented movies can't be played on other computers.
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Transferring iTunes library and iPhoto from 15inch MBP to new 13inch MBP

I have just taken delivery of a new MBP 13inch and wish to transfer Itunes
( 5,ooo tracks) and iPhoto( 4,000 photos)from the older 15inch MBP.
I have moved documents via IDisk as there were only a few.
I have a firewire but it is a 400 at each end.The new 13inch requires an 800
I have backed up the old 15inch to a little Lacie external hard drive but the inputs on the hard drive are a different size on the 13inch so can't go that route.
Do I have to buy a firewire with 400 at one end and 800 at the other, with delays and delivery charges ( i live a day's journey from an Apple store)?
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I am a Mobile me memeber so mail, contacts etc are not a problem.
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Otherwise you could connect both computers to your home network and transfer data that way using File Sharing - select Mac Help from the Finder's Help menu and search for "file sharing." If you have an Ethernet cable you can connect the two directly by Ethernet cable and create a computer-to-computer network (could also do the same wirelessly.)

Should I create a new iTunes Library on my new iMac?

I have been using a MacPro with multiple hard drives. One such 2TB drive has been the location of my MacPro iTunes library and media files. It takes up about 1.5TB of space with all the music, video and books. I use EyeTV from Elgato to record TV shows/movies, then convert them and transfer to iTunes. I also backup my iPhone and iPad to this iTunes library. I don't use iCloud for this backup.
I then purchased a new iMac with a 3TB Fusion drive. I plan to hang on to the MacPro to use on my home network as a file server, running "headless" perhaps.I plan to continue to use it for recording TV shows/movies in EyeTV and converting the output to iTunes videos.
Now I don't know what I should do about an iTunes library on my new iMac. When I got my iMac I migrated my User over to it. However, when I open iTunes, it is asking for me to either create a new iTunes library or open an existing one.
In my mind I have these options:
1. Create a new library. Setup up iTunes Sharing. This could work for me to access my large library of music and videos. However if I start backing up my iPhone i will then have backups on both computers. I suppose I could dump or ignore the MacPro iPhone/iPad backups and just create new backups on the iMac iTunes? What about new content I want to add? EyeTV will still be adding new content to the MacPro library. My iMac has no optical drive so if I want to rip a CD/DVD I would still need to use the MacPro for this. So from that perspective, this option may work out the best. What am I missing?
2. Open the iTunes library on the MacPro and make it my iMac's iTunes library. This seems problematic. If I understand correctly, I can't open this library on both Macs at the same time as this would likley cause issues. So I'd have to make sure I close out of one Mac's iTunes before the other Mac can open iTunes. This would be a pain given that EyeTV opens it up automatically when it is converting video recordings to iTunes video. For iPhone/ipad backups, I'm not sure what would happen here. Would it still backup to the MacPro iTunes library? I suppose it would. Another concern is the the MacPro would always have to be mounted on the iMac before I could access and use the iTunes library. So this options seems potentially frought with issues? On the plus I think this would retain the star ratings and other meta data, right?
3. What about creating a new library on the iMac but then go into preferences > Advanced and selecting the iTunes media folder that is on the MacPro. This is similar to option 2 above but retains access to the existing library I have on the MacPro. However, I'd lose all my star ratings, and other meta data.
Is there another option? Which way should I go? I am guessing option 1 is the best option. If you agree, please list caveats and downsides of it. If you disagree, please let me know the best strategy I should use and why.
Thanks.

Yes. Just copy all your music to a folder on your external. Then delete the music on your computers hard drive.
It is not quite that simple. If you do that you will end up with many broken links and will have to re-create your library from scratch . iTunes does not like it when you move or rename files or folders and doing so between drives is guaranteed to result in exclamation marks indicating you have broken the links to all your media files.
If you are content with moving the whole library to an external drive (usually the best thing for most people), try:
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 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.

Why is apple this stubborn about not creating a new iTunes library in my Mac without telling or asking me? Does it think i'm that ignorant?

Why is apple this stubborn about not creating a new iTunes library in my Mac without telling or asking me? Does it think i'm that ignorant?
After consulting all the forums, I see that Apple is not answering this simple question: so disrespectful!
Please do something about it! All it takes is to write a little code: in the "Advanced Preferences (advanced????) give us an option that just asks you IF you want to create a replacement iTunes library before doing it! is this hard for you Mac guys????? To me, and to others, many, this arrogant attitude is just disrespect. Do you know the difference between making love and rape?

OK, OK,
I read a little. I just tried the "Music alias" thing. It seems to work!!!
Thanks to whoomever wrote this.

My computer The File "itunes library.til" does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has attempted to recover your itunes library and renamed it to "iTunes Library (Damaged itl)"

My computer crashed when I was using Itunes. I got everything up and running and got this message "The File “itunes library.til” does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has attempted to recover your itunes library and renamed it to “iTunes Library (Damaged itl)” Everything loads up put in takes 10 min. then my music playlists are deleted everytime I turn Itunes on. What can I do to solve this problem? Thanks.

Hi shyanne23,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. If your iTunes library file has become damaged in some way, you may want to try recreating your iTunes library and playlists by following this article:
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
Cheers,
- Ari

Want to create a 2nd iTunes library and select from existing

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