The iTunes Library file cannot be saved A duplicate file name was specified

Hi, I have been having the same problem, except without the difficulty with re-opening itunes. That is, I also keep my music on an external drive, and I get the same exact error message. Surely we aren't the only two people having this issue, right? Help us out? (Apple maybe?)

I am getting the same message the past 2 days. iTunes works fine. I have plenty of HD space. My Library is also on an external drive.

Same problem here, but Library is not on an external drive. iTunes will successfully open sometimes, after multiple attempts. Also commonly getting error code 13014.

I found the solution:

first you have to locate your last library file, you can do this by clicking Edit-preferences-advanced. it will show you the itunes media folder location. then close Itunes

open your folder and locate the last library (libraries are saved with date names, find the most recent one or the one that was last modified).
change the name of the library to today´s date following the format it already has. you will have to change the name for libraries: .itl, .xml, genius and extras.

once you have changed the name to today´s date on the 4 libraries you will have to delete all other libraries existing on the same folder or on a folder named "previous itunes libraries". it is also recommended to delete the itunes "preferences file" .dat (usually 1kb) and the "sentinel" file.

so, you will have on your itunes media folder only 4 libraries: .itl .xml genius and extras.

the next step is to click the itunes icon holding the "shift" key . itunes will ask you to either "quit, choose library or create library" click on choose library. then locate the library you just renamed with today´s date and extension .itl

done, itunes will open with the last saved version of your library. keep in mind that some changes or songs will not be present if you added any while getting the error "itunes cannot save the library file. a duplicate name has been specified" just locate the songs and add them again, if you have the option "copy files to itunes media folder when adding to library" checked. then go to file-add folder or file-and locate the songs missing on the itunes media folder.itunes saves the files on the hard drive but does not save the changes on the library.

hope this is clear enough.

thanks a lot. I just changed .xml to .itl now its working fine.