Where is my ITunes Library Saved?

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Where is my ITunes Library Saved?

My ITunes Library is supposed to be saved to:C:\Documents and Settings\Cliff\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music, which I believe is the default. When I go there the library backed up at some point but new additions are not being backed up. There is also a folder C:\Documents and...\iTunes\iTunes Library - If I click on iTunes Library it opens up the iTunes program with my music. This folder does not, however, list the artists as in the iTunes music folder. Hope this all makes sense. Anyway, I am not convinced that my library is being backed up on my computer. Any comments/clarification/help would be greatly appreciated...thanks

dell

Posted on Aug 28, 2008 3:02 PM

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Answer 1

Katrina S.

Level 7

24,131 points

Aug 28, 2008 7:39 PM in response to IpodUserzx

The itunes library file has a file extension of ITL.
Maybe you need to turn on Windows Explorer folder options to see files extension.

The iTunes music folder is a different thing - it is a folder that holds all the actual music files. You set where this is in
itunes menu > Edit > Preferences > Advanced tab > General tab
Make sure it is still the default; if it was changed, the music files are going somewhere else.

Also, what do you mean about your library being backed up?

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Answer 2

IpodUserzx Author

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Aug 29, 2008 6:18 AM in response to Katrina S.

Thanks for a response...Here's my concern. When I open up C:\Documents and Settings\Cliff\My Documents\My Music\iTunes in Explorer I find a file called iTunes Music. In it is a list of artists and if I click the artist get the albums and songs. This no longer is updated despite it being the default location in iTunes. So if a song is added to iTunes it is not ending up in this file.

There is also a file called iTunes Library which when clicked on opens up the iTunes program. Finally, there is a file called iTunes Music Library which opens up in IE rather than Firefox, which is my browser, and this file is all in code.

My concern is that when I need a new computer I will not be able to move my library if it is not 'saved/backedup' in Explorer.

Finally i could not locate a file extension of itl. Did a search even and didn't find anything. What do you think?

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Answer 3

Katrina S.

Level 7

24,131 points

Aug 29, 2008 9:09 PM in response to IpodUserzx

Maybe you need to turn on Windows Explorer folder options to see files extension.
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=193

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Answer 4

Katrina S.

Level 7

24,131 points

Aug 29, 2008 10:09 PM in response to IpodUserzx

+This no longer is updated despite it being the default location in iTunes. So if a song is added to iTunes it is not ending up in this file.+

Well, for one of those songs, in the main iTunes library listing, right-click on it and choose "Show in WIndows Explorer". That will tell you where it is filed on your hard drive.

Also you can check your iTunes preferences for copying the files to the itunes folder:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iTunesWin/7.6/en/15308.html

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Answer 5

IpodUserzx Author

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Aug 30, 2008 6:55 AM in response to IpodUserzx

Thanks for all the help so far...when I right click on a song an exclamation point appears. Sometimes get the message can't be found. In either case does not bring me to windows explorer. If I do the same on 'older' songs, no problem and brings me to explorer.

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Answer 6

IpodUserzx Author

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Aug 30, 2008 7:06 AM in response to IpodUserzx

OK...think the problem is resolved but not resolved. Seems that copy files to iTunes music folder when adding new songs was not checked. It is now and added a song and it was put in appropriate spot. Problem is i have lots of songs that have not ended up in the iTunes folder. They are on the iPOd and in the itunes Library program but not in explorer. Is there anyway this can be solved or I am afraid when I do need to go to a new computer this will be a problem?

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Answer 7

Katrina S.

Level 7

24,131 points

Aug 30, 2008 3:34 PM in response to IpodUserzx

For the files that have the ! next to them, search your hard drives to see where they are. I don't know how you name your files, though - do you let iTunes managed them?

(the preference setting just above the "Copy files...." that you just changed)

If you let iTunes manage your files, then search on a song name or artist name.

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Answer 8

IpodUserzx Author

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Aug 30, 2008 4:51 PM in response to IpodUserzx

Yes, the keep itunes folder organized box is checked.

Did a search...ends up being an xml document which opens in IE despite my using Firefox as my browser. It is all in code...

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Answer 9

Katrina S.

Level 7

24,131 points

Aug 30, 2008 8:49 PM in response to IpodUserzx

You did a search for an MP3 song file and all it found was an XML file?
Then the songs files are missing from your hard drive. You need to get out your backups.

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Answer 10

IpodUserzx Author

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Aug 31, 2008 7:06 AM in response to Katrina S.

Thanks..that's what I was afraid of. Songs were put into the library but it was not checked to copy to the itunes library file when songs were added. So the songs ended up on the ipod but were not 'backed up'. I assume that is fine for now but I willhave a problem if I go to another computer. True?

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Answer 11

Katrina S.

Level 7

24,131 points

Aug 31, 2008 4:33 PM in response to IpodUserzx

Your best bet is to spend some money on a 3rd-party iPod manager that will allow reverse syncing the iPod files to your PC.

I tried a free one and it wasn't very good, and using Apple discussion directions on iPod as a hard disk are slooooow.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparisonof_iPodmanagers

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Answer 12

IpodUserzx Author

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Aug 31, 2008 4:51 PM in response to Katrina S.

Again, thanks for all your help. any recommendation for the best iPod manager?

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Answer 13

Katrina S.

Level 7

24,131 points

Aug 31, 2008 4:57 PM in response to IpodUserzx

No, I've never had to use one, thankfully. Maybe someone else will pop into your topic here and tell you.

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