how to remove the track number in the song's filename

It is a preference in the Importing options. You need to uncheck "Create filenames with track number."

ted,

I am on iTunes 7.6, and it is in Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Importing.

Interesting. It looks like the ability to change/modify track names upon import (or consolidation/renaming) has been removed with iTunes 8. While I'm enjoying the 8.0 release, this habit of Apple making so many undocumented changes is really quite annoying. What does Apple have against a simple changelog?

I'm with you, Mr. Sung. I don't understand why a preference we've had for years now is suddenly missing. I have tens of thousands of song files in my iTunes library that were ripped without unnecessary, unattractive pre-pended numbers. Now my library is going to be mixed with both.

Worse, I also use DJ software, and iTunes seems to be doing this not only with rips but with digital files as well. When song files are transferred from my main library to my DJ laptop library, the laptop iTunes pre-pends them and Megaseg (DJ software) can no longer find them without re-pointing to them. Anyone have a GUI (or command line) workaround? Thanks.

Ted L.

I also have the same problem, apple has removed the three tabs system that let you adjust import, export, and other settings. Now itunes appends a track number to the file name by default, which just looks messy. ITS ENCODED IN THE FILE FOR A REASON! I despise apple and their habit of pandering to the people who want the simplest options.

The CD eject button is under Control- Eject Disk.

I found this... looks like it works for the Mac OS... but I still can't figure out how to do it for PC

http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20080930161619878

In addition to the other preference settings dropped in iTunes 8, the option for naming tracks on import without adding the track number to the front of the filename is missing; luckily, the preference is only hidden. If you find those track numbers annoying as I do, just quit iTunes, open Terminal, and enter this command:

defaults write com.apple.iTunes create-filenames-with-tracknumber -bool FALSE

On relaunching iTunes, you will find that track numbers are no longer added to filenames on import.

has anyone figured out a way to not add track numbers when importing with iTunes 8 for XP?

Fortunately, I discovered this issue before I upgraded to iTunes 8.
I have told it "don't ask me again" when it offered me the upgrade.
I will stay with iTunes 7.7 until this option is restored, or the
annoying default is changed.

I wish I'd discovered this before upgrading. It's a real pain. Does anyone know if it's possible to revert to iTunes 7.7?

The situation seems worse to me than I expected. I just upgraded my computer. I exported my itunes library. Installed Itunes 8 (I don't remember whether I had 8 before, but i think I did not.) When I did an import my tracks are not located. When I looked in the export xml file, I noticed that any track in which the folder had a track number in front was not listed as having that track number in the xml export file.

If any one has any suggestions it would be of great help.

It's amazing how Apple is behaving like Microsoft when it comes to its application software - take it or leave it. Unfortunately, I have invested so much in Apple's iTunes, iPods, and iPhones that I have no option but to be in sync with Apple's current releases to ensure that my iPhones behave properly.

I have 6 iPods (3 160GB, 1 120 GB, 2 80 GB) and 2 iPhones. My iTunes has about 50,000 songs distributed into the different iPods and iPhones so I find it very hard to manage these without the complications brought about by the auto naming of songs with the track number. Since the beginning, I have eliminated the track numbers from the song names and now I have to do it manually (rename the file w/o the track number) for every song, delete the iTunes entry and add the folder back into iTunes. Then I have to tag the song into the appropriate playlists that I have created so I can sync with the appropriate iPod/iPhone!

I thought Apple is known for its ease-of-use, but I guess being close-to-a-monopoly, arrogance is creeping into its culture!

Actually, because of the problem of loosing playlists, see below, and reading elsewhere about people loosing files, I just switched to Media Monkey which does sink with ipods/iphones. So far much better. The only issue is audible.com files if you subscribe to those.