Canadian Curtis
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Consolidate/Combine 2 iTunes Libraries - Windows to Windows

Hello!

I know this topic has been covered before, but I am having trouble finding answers that apply to my specific case, and I am a bit nervous around the management of iTunes libraries and licenses, etc., as I have had bad experiences with iTunes in the past. I want to make sure I am doing this right, and covering my bases.

 

My situation:

I have a large iTunes library on my Windows 7 laptop, under my own Apple ID. This laptop's operating system is metaphorically held together with duct tape and zip ties, and I want to get the music OFF of there before it dies.

My fiancee has a large iTunes library on another Windows 7 laptop, under her Apple ID. Her laptop is in perfect condition, and we would like to combine all the music from my library permanently to her library on her laptop.

We have a wireless network and a terabyte drive to work with.

 

My question:

- What is the best way to go about this process? (minimizing duplicate song issues, maintaining good organization, preventing license/authorization problems, etc)

- How can I work with the two Apple IDs? Can we still have both of our Apple IDs, but share the one library? (if either of us downloads new music, is it automatically listed in this shared library, for both of us?) This would be my ideal scenario, since our IDs are both already associated with our individual iPhone devices. However, if this is very difficult (or impossible), what do you suggest?? Should/can I create a new Apple ID just for iTunes that we would share, and leave our old ones for our phones and everything else Apple?

 

I like step-by-step instructions of course, but ANY tips/pointers would be very much appreciated!

Thanks for your time!

Laptop, Windows 7, Laptop

Posted on Apr 11, 2015 6:38 AM

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Canadian Curtis

Q: Consolidate/Combine 2 iTunes Libraries - Windows to Windows

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  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Apr 11, 2015 7:40 AM in response to Canadian Curtis
    Level 10 (87,841 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 11, 2015 7:40 AM in response to Canadian Curtis

    Preserve the data first. See Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy. An advantage of using this tool is that should there be files that won't read from the source drive, it will gracefully give up and move on to the next file. If you are copying using Windows Explorer then Explorer just crashes, and you have a major headache trying to find out what it has and hasn't done.

     

    An iTunes library contains both the media files and the database that organizes them. Some of the data in the library such as ratings, play counts, playlists membership, etc. is stored only in the database, while general information about each song, name, artist, album, etc. is stored in the tags of the files. Not all files carry tags, .wav being the prime example. Merging the two libraries by importing the media from one into the library of the other is easy enough. I have a script called DeDuper that can eliminate duplicates as long as they have been consistently tagged. Harder is capturing the playlists and other non-tag data though I have other tools that could help with that. The idea would be to temporarily connect to the library that is to be discarded, export all regular playlists (possible idea for a new script), export the metadata that needs to be preserved with ExportImport, switch to what is to become the main library, turn off the option to copy files to the media folder, add the other media folder, import the saved metadata and playlists, consolidate the library, then dedupe.

     

    The next thorny issue is app updates. iTunes and iOS devices don't easily cope with updating apps from multiple accounts. You have to sign out of one account and then into the other. I haven't tried it yet, but you may find that Family Sharing provides a way to make this easier.

     

    tt2

  • by ed2345,

    ed2345 ed2345 Apr 11, 2015 9:11 AM in response to Canadian Curtis
    Level 7 (24,975 points)
    Apr 11, 2015 9:11 AM in response to Canadian Curtis

    Curtis - And to respond to one other part of your question:

    Should/can I create a new Apple ID just for iTunes that we would share,

    Can you?  Of course.  Should you?  No!  As you see from your own post and many others on this Forum, multiple Apple IDs are the cause of many problems, and creating yet another is going to make an even worse mess.

     

    I agree with tt2's suggestion that you check out Family Sharing.  It allows sharing between members in a way that is pretty close to what you desire. With Family Sharing, you each keep your own existing Apple ID.  But read closely before you start, and be aware that the Ask To Buy capability only works with minors.  Adult members can buy whatever they want and have it billed to the Family Organizer's credit card.