What do I do with old iTunes folders? Is it safe to delete them?

Hello.


I'm cleaning up my computer and came across three old iTunes folders. They take up about 10GB of space on my hard drive and I'd like to get that space back. I've added some pictures of the folders too. I think the "Mobile Applications" folder is what is taking up most of the space. I've gone through the folders and taken out my music from them. Is it safe to delete these now?


Folder "iTunes 3":


Folder "iTunes B":


Folder "iTunes old":

Have a nice day.

Windows, Windows 6

Posted on Nov 9, 2020 11:10 PM

Reply
7 replies

Nov 11, 2020 7:09 AM in response to madelain_

I learned something that you may be aware of, that there are different things you can do before deleting a file or folder as a precaution. I suggest renaming a file or folder and then rebooting your system worst case scenario your system may not boot! depending on the file you you renamed! But at least you’ll be able to boot from an external device and rename the file or folder back to what it was. OR If you have dozens of files you can make a temporary folder and move all the files inside the folder so the system doesn’t see them at all if it works for a week or so without a problem you may delete them but be very careful! As a general rule if a file is known as a system hidden or read-only I won’t touch it in most cases.

finally as a standard disclaimer I am not a technician, just someone who enjoys computers so take my advice at your own risk because I can’t promise you this would prove harmless to you or your system.

good luck!

PS I have found sometimes to the PC may find the file you renamed or moved and use it from its new location so beware!

Dec 12, 2020 8:40 AM in response to Fredy

Thank you. I was meaning to post an update here soon.


At first, I put everything back in a compressed zip file again. I waited for around two weeks and everything was working fine. Then, after that, I deleted almost everything in those folders and I waited for about another two weeks and yes, my computer is still running fine.


The Mobile Applications folders were the ones taking up most of the space so once I deleted most of them, I got my space back.


Thank you for your help.

__________________________________________________________


P.S If anyone is reading this, make sure you actually don't need whatever it is you're deleting before deleting it. It never hurts to double check.

Nov 11, 2020 7:39 AM in response to madelain_

Well since they’re not being used at the moment and your PC use running satisfactorily I would guess that you’re OK deleting it but do you really need that space that bad if so delete it and cross your fingers if you can spare the space that it’s taking leave it alone. I’d also like to mention that it is possible that there’s some obscure app or utility you haven’t used it since moving the files so there’s been no issue, but if that’s true Then eventually you may run into a problem if you use that obscure app. Once again good luck!

Nov 11, 2020 7:24 AM in response to Fredy

Hello! Thank you for your reply! I have heard this advice before and because it's such good (and important) advice, I like to see it again from time to time. So, thank you!


As for my iTunes folders, I zipped them using 7zip and kept them that way for a long time, at least a month or more and nothing happened. My computer is running fine. I think it is safe to delete them but again, I wanted to ask here just to make sure.

Nov 12, 2020 10:44 PM in response to Fredy

" I’d also like to mention that it is possible that there’s some obscure app or utility you haven’t used it since moving the files so there’s been no issue, but if that’s true Then eventually you may run into a problem if you use that obscure app. Once again good luck!"


An obscure application or utility, huh. How about if I went through the Mobile Applications folder and check if there's any application I want to keep? If there isn't, then it should be safe to delete them all, I think.

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What do I do with old iTunes folders? Is it safe to delete them?

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