Q: Windows iTunes w/ external drive -> Mac iTunes w/ external drive?

That link leaves out one important step.

First need to make sure iTunes prefs > Advanced - iTunes media folder location is set to the default location.

It kinda hints at it but it does not tell you to change it if it is different.

Even after copying the main iTunes folder to the Mac, specifying the new Media folder location as the Mac external drive, and then copying my media files to that location

Thus the problems of keeping the media files separate from the iTunes library files.

It is simplest if everything reamins inside the iTunes folder (which can easily exist on an external).

Do this...

1. Quit iTunes.
2. Copy the entire /Music/iTunes/folder  to the external.
3. Hold Shift and launch iTunes.
4. Select Choose library... and select the iTunes fodler you copied to the external.
5. Go to iTunes prefs > Advanced.
6. Set iTunes media folder location to the iTunes folder you copied to the external (the one you just opened).
7. Tick both Keep iTunes folder organized & Copy files to ITunes media folder...

8. Now go to iTunes menu File > Library > Organize library and tick Consolidate. This will copy everything in iTunes into the iTunes media folder location you set in step 6 above.

9. After it finshes, quiti iTunes and connect the drive to your Mac.

10. Hold Option and launch iTunes.

11. Select Choose library... and select the iTunes folder on the external.

That is all you need to do. Everything will be the same as your other computer (because it is the same library)

The iTunes library consists of all the media files (wherever they are, which is now inside the iTunes folder) and all the files inside the iTunes folder (iTunes library.itl, Artwork, Genius, etc.)

With everything inside the iTunes folder, it is very simple to move the library around.

FYI: Once you consolidate iTunes, you can delete everything in the original location (your previous iTunes media folder on the external.

Verify the files are in the new /iTunes/iTunes media/ folder on the external.

jsa307 wrote:

 

One other question ... I had intended to use the Mac (and copied iTunes) as a dedicated music server. Do you think I'll take a performance hit when using iTunes (from an audiophile perspective) due to having the library on an external drive? I guess the program itself will still be running off the main hard drive (a faster SSD)?

Yes the application is on the main drive and the library files and media are on the external.

I have no problems and I don't anticipate you seeing any either.

Glad to help!

Very useful information.

Not to hijack this thread, but if I wanted to copy from Windows to external, but instead of using external as my library location what would I need to do to replace the Library on my mac with the library on the external drive.

robec1347

In just about all cases it is best to start your own topic since your question does diverge from the requirements of the original poster.

In your case you copy the whole consolidated iTunes folder to the Music folder on the Mac, presuming the iTunes folder there is empty and you don't mind overwriting it.  Start iTunes.

You are correct and I apologize.