HT201596: Open a different iTunes Library file or create a new one

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xefned

Q: What is the purpose of multiple iTunes libraries? Is it because iTunes is slow with a large library?

I found the link on creating multiple itunes libraries

   Open a different iTunes Library file or create a new one - Apple Support

        searching on a way to make iTunes faster.

 

Normally a different itunes library would be tied to a different user account.

Is this feature Apple's response to iTunes being painfully slow with a large library?  Is it the right solution?

Posted on May 4, 2016 10:24 AM

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Q: What is the purpose of multiple iTunes libraries? Is it because iTunes is slow with a large library?

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  • by turingtest2,Solvedanswer

    turingtest2 turingtest2 May 4, 2016 2:37 PM in response to xefned
    Level 10 (85,152 points)
    iTunes
    May 4, 2016 2:37 PM in response to xefned

    xefned wrote:

     

    Is this feature Apple's response to iTunes being painfully slow with a large library?  Is it the right solution?

     

    No, and probably not. Some may choose multiple libraries as a way of managing multiple devices. Personally I have my main library, another that I use only with iTunes Match, and several that I might use for testing iTunes behaviour when I'm answering questions and I want to get the details right. Most activity in iTunes causes it to update the .itl file, and the .xml if it is being created. There is likely to be some kind of non-linear relationship between the size of the library and the time taken to process updates. Each smart playlist has to be updated when data changes. The more smart playlists and playlist folders you have the longer that activity takes. Avoid creating the .xml if you don't have any need for it, the control is under iTunes > Preferences > Advanced.

     

    tt2

  • by Meg St._Clair,Helpful

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair May 4, 2016 2:37 PM in response to xefned
    Level 9 (58,397 points)
    iPhone
    May 4, 2016 2:37 PM in response to xefned

    Like tt2, I have two because my main library is too large for iTunes Match. I had to create a second, smaller one in order to subscribe.