When I delete a file, it doesn't ask whether to move to recycle bin

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Level 1

11 points

When I delete a file, it doesn't ask whether to move to recycle bin

When I delete a file from my library, iTunes isn't always asking me whether to save the file or move it to the recycle bin. I can't imagine why sometimes it's asking but usually it isn't.

This is very, very frustrating. At some point, I or someone did something which made copies of thousands of my music files. The copy is in the same folder with the original, but the copy has a track number as part of the file name and the original doesn't. I can't imagine how to delete the copies other than looking at my library in iTunes, choosing to view duplicates, and then deleting them one by one. This will take months!

*But when I delete a file, iTunes usually isn't asking me to delete the file from the folder. Deleting it from iTunes but leaving the file on my hard drive defeats the purpose of what I'm trying to do here. Please...does anyone know what I can do?*

Dell Inspiron E1505, Windows XP, I actually wish my computer was smaller. haha

Posted on Apr 20, 2009 7:39 PM

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Answer 1

iDeer

Level 1

45 points

Apr 20, 2009 8:09 PM in response to ballz97fm

iTunes will only ask whether to move the file to recycle bin if its in the iTunes music folder and is in the iTunes library (referenced).

Are you seeing duplicates in iTunes too? If yes, the only way is manually deleting them. If no, read on.

I have a thought why you have copies. At some point someone must have checked the "Copy music to iTunes folder" while the files are already in iTunes music folder. As regarding the files that have track number in their names, they were probably renamed by iTunes while copying and probably are the files which iTunes is accessing. So better not delete them.

There is one way of getting rid of the duplicates. Do you how to move the iTunes music folder? If not check this link ( http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive)

If you can move the iTunes music folder to a different location via iTunes it will only copy the files that matter and re-reference the database to the new location. To be sure that everything was copied, compare the number of tracks in iTunes with the music/movie files on the disk at the new location. Now you can safely delete the old folder.

Please do ask if you have doubts in the above.

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Answer 2

ballz97fm Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 20, 2009 8:11 PM in response to iDeer

Oh, I see what you're saying. The duplicates are showing up in my iTunes library so I should manually delete them and then move my iTunes music to a new folder. After verifying that it's created the files in the new folder, I can get rid of the old one. Good idea. The only problem is knowing which file is the one with the track number and which isn't! Yikes!

I can't believe my hard drive has had this much extra storage on it for so long! At least I'm freeing up space. But geesh... This is gonna take forever!

Thanks for the advice! 🙂

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Answer 3

iDeer

Level 1

45 points

Apr 20, 2009 8:19 PM in response to ballz97fm

Wait! If they are showing up in iTunes you know that you have use iTunes to delete the duplicates, right? That way you don't mess up the database. You can see the duplicates in iTunes by File > Show Duplicates. It will list all the probable duplicates. Its not perfect, but you will catch most of the culprits here. Sort by name to view identical tracks and deal with them. Or if you suspect a date after which the duplicates were created you can sort by the date added.

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Answer 4

ballz97fm Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 20, 2009 8:20 PM in response to iDeer

Yes. I know I have to delete them from within iTunes. That's what's so frustrating. When I click on one to delete it, it deletes without asking me if I want to send the file to the recycle bin.

So I'm thinking, I'll just have to manually check each of the duplicates (there are 3000+ duplicated files!) to find out which is the file name with the track number...then delete the one without the track number...and THEN follow the steps for copying the library to a new folder so I can delete the old one.

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Answer 5

iDeer

Level 1

45 points

Apr 20, 2009 8:26 PM in response to ballz97fm

Do you have any reason to keep a particular track out of the duplicates (like if its got ratings etc)? If not and if you are going to move the folder anyway it doesn't really matter which one you delete so you don't have to check manually in the explorer.

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Answer 6

ballz97fm Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 20, 2009 8:31 PM in response to iDeer

Well, it seems like iTunes wants to have the track numbers in the file names. I'm afraid that if I leave the file names that don't have the track names and the same mistake happens in the future, it will again duplicate all the files. I'd like to say that I wouldn't make the same mistake twice...but I don't remember making the mistake the first time so apparently I can do it without knowing I've done it!

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