Q: Windows suggests scan/fix (recommended) iPod nano 6?

Windows can not scan or fix an iPod, don't waste your time. Beware this may be a scam.

You should do whatever feels right to you.

If your iPod actually has a data corruption problem (that message keeps coming up), the actual fix is to do a Restore using iTunes.  This erases the iPod, reinstalls its software, and set it to default settings.  Erasing the iPod's storage gets rid of any data corruption.

Use iTunes on your Mac or PC to restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

After the Restore, re-sync your songs from your iTunes library.

iPods (except iPod touch) are simple media player devices.  It does not have a "OS" in the same sense as a computing device, like iPhone or iPod touch.  Corruption on the iPod (if it exists) is to its data, not its OS.  Like a USB thumb drive having data corruption - To fix that, you reformat it (like doing a Restore on an iPod using iTunes).

iPods (that are not iPod touch) are already backed up, because all of its data (song files) came from your computer's iTunes library.  So, you do a Restore and re-sync it.  If you are currently loading songs manually to the iPod, I suggest a different method.  Create a playlist (with your iPod Songs) in your iTunes library and set the iPod to use automatic syncing with that playlist.

To do this (after doing a Restore), select iPod in iTunes (click its device button on horizontal bar) to show its settings screen in iTunes window.  Along the left side (in the sidebar), under Settings, click Music.  To the right, the iPod's Music settings screen is shown.  Checkmark the box for Sync Music.  This turns ON automatic syncing.  Below that, choose the option to sync Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres.  Below that, under Playlists, find and select (checkmark) the playlist that you created in your iTunes library with your iPod Songs.  You don't need to select anything else.  Click Apply.  iTunes syncs your selection to the iPod.

Going forward, update that iPod Songs playlist (add/remove songs) in your iTunes library.  Your iPod does not need to be connected.  The next time you connect the iPod (or click Sync if already connected), iTunes automatically updates it with the same changes.  I use this method with my iPod nano, except I select multiple playlists (not just one) for syncing to my iPod (a few for running and my "favorites" playlist).

A key advantage of this method...  If (when) you need to do a Restore on the iPod, it just takes a few mouse clicks to set up automatic syncing again, because the playlists exist in your iTunes library.  Even if you lose or break your iPod, you can get a new one set up syncing exactly like your old iPod.

Markg2 wrote:

 

 

The real question is how does one ignorant to the ways of Apple filing clean their C:\Users\Mark\Music\iTunes...\? Particularly since this forum doesn't allow for uploading to provide screenshots?

 

Yes it does, that's what the camera icon is for.

If your iPod is still working (playing its songs) the way it is now, you should probably avoid connecting it to your iTunes library, until you get your iTunes library issues sorted out.

I'm sure I have ended up with lots and lots of iTunes library files

Does that mean you have more than one "iTunes" library folder in your user account Music folder?  If so, select a song in your iTunes music library, right-click it, and select Get Info.  It would be better to select a song you recently purchased from the iTunes Store or imported from a music CD, if you have such a song.  If you don't, pick any song (one that you can currently play in iTunes).  On the Info window's File tab, what does it say for Location?  Copy/paste the file path into your next reply.  If your real full name appears in the file path (for user account folder), you can substitute for it.  Oh, I guess you already said it's "Mark" 

some in folders some not and obviously only 1 that's 'active?

The path for a song file may point to the currently used iTunes library folder.  (Or it may not, depending on your iTunes settings.)

Don't worry about the Previous Libraries folder.  iTunes creates those files as backups, when you do a major iTunes application upgrade, in case there is a problem, and you need to go back to the previous version of iTunes.

The one that is at C:\Users\Mark\Music\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl is the default location for your iTunes library database file.  That's the important file.  That IS your iTunes library.  It hold information about where all of your media files are located, and supporting data such as playlists, date added, ratings, play count, etc.  The other files you listed are supporting files.  Unless you intentionally set iTunes to use a different iTunes library, that iTunes Library.itl file is your active iTunes library.  Check its last modified date, and it should be recently modified (if you ran iTunes recently).

The iTunes folder (in your user account Music folder) is where your iTunes data is normally kept.  But there are ways to set iTunes to store its data elsewhere.

Open iTunes preferences Advanced pane.  There is a location setting for iTunes Media folder.  By default, that points to an iTunes Media folder that is in your iTunes folder.  In your case, something like

C:\Users\Mark\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media

Does it?  There are also TWO checkboxes there for Keep iTunes Media Folder Organized AND Copy files to iTune Media folder when adding to library.  Are those settings currently checked or not checked?

The iTunes Library.itl file is only the database that defines your iTunes library.  It holds data about where all of your iTunes media files are located, and other supporting data such as playlists and ratings.  It does NOT contain your actual media files.  If you only back up the .itl file and your computer fails, you have no back up of your actual song files, which are stored elsewhere (usually in the iTunes Media folder).  If your iTunes Media folder is in your iTunes folder, then you can back up the iTunes folder, and that (probably) backs up all of your iTunes data.  However, I asked about how iTunes preferences Advanced pane is currently set up, because it is possible for your song files to be stored outside of the iTunes Media folder.

This Apple document describes how to back up your iTunes data to an external drive

Manage and back up your iTunes media library - Apple Support