When iTunes creates an iTunes library, does it copy all of the files?

Or does it just create a pathway to those files? I remember waaaaaaaay back when I tried putting my library into iTunes, it physically copied every single file and filled up my harddrive. That was years ago, granted. But I'm still gunshy about it happening again. I would hope they've fixed it by now.
Also, will iTunes be able to understand where my files are if they're located on an external harddrive? I keep all of my music on a WD Passport external drive and I plug and unplug it a lot. Will it be able to keep up with that these days?
Thanks.

It depends on how you have iTunes' preferences set. If you just use the default preferences, iTunes will copy any tracks you add into its own library folders. If you want to keep your tracks on your external drive, just turn off the "copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library" the iTunes -> Advanced preferences. You will also want to turn off the "Keep iTunes Music folder organized" option in the same preference. Then when you use the Add To Library command, iTunes will link to the tracks on your external drive rather than copying them to the internal.
You'll want to set the location of the iTunes Music folder in that same preference pane to your external drive if you want future purchases from the iTunes Store and imports from CD to be stored on your external as well.
Regards.

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When i go to sync my apps with my computer it tells me ''are you sure you want to sync apps ? all exsisting apps and there data on (iphone) will be replaced with the apps on this itunes library'' does this mean all my data will be lost if i continue ?

when i go to sync my apps with my computer it tells me ''are you sure you want to sync apps ? all exsisting apps and there data on (iphone) will be replaced with the apps on this itunes library'' does this mean all my data will be lost if i continue ?

Regarding your broken, previously authorized computer, here's how that works:
You would authorize your new computer -- maybe you've done that already. Then you will have two computers authorized. Apple allows you to have up to five computers authorized at any time. If you get to five, you can then go to your account details in iTunes and remove all authorizations.
Bear in mind this is not saying you can synch to more tham one library. Razmee209 and gdgmacguy's comments above are correct. But if Apple only allowed you to authorize one computer at a time, then having a broken computer would mean you could no longer use your Apple ID with iTunes.

When I try to play some of the songs in my itunes library, I get a prompt saying the file could not be used. When I hit the "locate" button, it still won't locate the file. I didn't delete any of these tracks and there is no common link between them.

When I try to play some of the songs in my itunes library, I get a prompt saying the file cannot be used. When I hit the locate button, the file cannot be found. I didn't delete any songs/files and there is no common link between the missing songs.

Hello there, Paso Kid.
The following Knowledge Base articles provide some assistance with locating content in your iTunes Library:
iTunes: Finding lost media and downloads
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1408
and
Where are my iTunes files located?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1391
If you have already reviewed those steps and still cannot find the songs you purchased from iTunes, delete the songs and download them again using the information in this article:
iTunes 11 for Windows: Download previous purchases from the iTunes Store
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH12491
Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Pedro.

HT1751 After "Restoring iTunes Library Backup" it wont link to the files in the iTunes folder. I've followed the correct procedure, and iTunes lists all my music correctly (but with no artwork), but can't locate any of the files. Using Windows 7. Help ple

After "Restoring iTunes Library backup" it wont link to the files in the iTunes folder. I've followed the procedure as described, and the iTunes folder is in the correct location. iTunes lists all my music correctly (albeit with no artwork), but can't locate any of the files.
I've been restoring my iTunes folder from a backup hard drive to a new computer on which I've downloaded the latest iTunes (10.7). If this is a newer version than the one I backed up with could this be the problem? (I had the latest (to my knowledge) iTunes when I backed up the folder about 3 weeks ago, was this version 10.7?)
Or is the version of iTunes (within recent updates) not an issue when restoring a library?
Using Windows 7.
Any help please?

From the top of the page where the scripts live...
The general method of use is to download the script to a folder of your choice, e.g. your Desktop, Downloads folder or create a folder at ...\iTunes\Scripts. Select a playlist or highlight some tracks in iTunes and then double-click on the script to execute it. If no specific tracks are selected the script will try to work with all tracks in the current playlist. Some scripts offer a choice of track by track confirmation of changes or fully automatic processing of the selection. Many of the scripts can optionally display a progress bar while running.
You are strongly advised to backup your entire library, or at the very least the iTunes Library.itl file, before use. Test the behaviour of your chosen script on a small group of files first to make sure it does what you want before applying it to large numbers of files.
Most builds of Windows will execute *.vbs scripts when you double-click them. If that doesn't happen then you might need to visit the Add/Remove Programs or Programs & Features control panel to enable the Windows Scripting Host. I can track down details if you have issues.
Backing up and restoring data is an area that is often glossed over. Most people don't try to learn much about it until they've lost something important. (Me too )
If your iTunes library was in the usual layout then normally copying the whole iTunes folder from the User's Music folder in the old computer to the User's Music folder in the new one will usually work fine. Ideally this is done before iTunes is installed so that there is no empty library to replace, and all settings are picked up from the old library. This post contains more details.
tt2

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On the HD is one thing.
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If you've renamed or moved your music folder, however slightly, the XML file will no longer recognize the "location" on your iTunes files. Then the Library.itl file is useless.
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iTunes prefs > General.
Tick Tones.

Im trying to open my itunes library but i cant, it say "The file "itunes library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of itunes." what do i do?

someone help me out please, thanks

Hello,
it looks like at some point you had a newer version of iTunes installed and then reverted back to an older one without noticing it.
The first thing to try would be to go to http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
Download and install iTunes 10.2.2 from there and see if the error message persists.
Alexander.

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hp Windows XP

i suggest that you only charge your ipod using a power charger, then it won't ever matter what songs are in your library.
however, you wouldn't be able to add any songs to your ipod in the future...because if you sync your library with your ipod, any songs that you deleted would be removed from your ipod.
hth
angie
dell dimension 4700 Windows XP

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Deleting the account on your phone only removes if from your phone. The account and it's data remain intact and doing so will not effect your daughter's phone.
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When i try to open itunes i get a message that says the file "itunes library .itl" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of itunes

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See:
iTunes Store: About authorization and deauthorization
iTunes repeatedly prompts to authorize computer to play iTunes Store purchases
Could the items be purchased by another account?

When iTunes creates an iTunes library, does it copy all of the files?

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