iTunes folders and Files on Windows 10

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Level 1

4 points

iTunes folders and Files on Windows 10

I am trying to straighten out my iTunes library on Windows 10. Moving my iTunes library from disk to disk and creating backups so I don't lose anything has resulted in folder duplications, and file duplications. In some instances, Audiobooks or example, there are files in one folder that are not present in the other folder of the same name. For example, the Audiobooks folder under Music > iTunes contains entries that are not in the Audiobooks folder under Music > iTunes > iTunes Media, and vice versa.

What is the best sway to combine items that are spread out over multiple folders into one folder?
Under Preferences, the location of the iTunes Media folder is C:\Users\George\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media, so I assume that is where all media folders and files should appear and there shouldn't be any media folders/files in the top level iTunes folder. Is that correct?
If so, what folders/files should be in the top level iTunes folder?

Thanks.

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Jan 9, 2023 7:57 PM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

274,113 points

Jan 12, 2023 2:16 PM in response to gpag

See Make a split library portable - Apple Community for some background on library organization. Consolidating the library (File > Library > Organize Library > Consolidate Files) will bring anything outside the media folder into it. The originals outside can then be deleted. Your media folder appears to be set correctly now, but at one point it was set one layer higher than it should have been so you've got some cruft from that to clean up. These days the iTunes folder should only contain the subfolders Album Artwork, iTunes Media, and Previous iTunes Libraries, along with the library files.

Regarding your iTunes Media folder, Books, iPod Games, iTunes U, and Mobile Applications have been dead since iTunes 12.7.

Tones are no longer actively managed by iTunes, but it can still be a useful place to store them. See Create and manage ringtones - Apple Community.

Original Audiobooks looks like a separate folder you've made at some point. Is there anything still in it? Is it connected to the library? See Audiobooks on iPods for further advice on managing those.

I'd recommend enabling the Copy files to media folder option to avoid having the library connected to anything outside the media folder.

For advice on moving your library see Move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Community.

tt2

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Answer 2

Trish313

Community Specialist

Jan 12, 2023 11:27 AM in response to gpag

Hi gpag,

You can follow the steps on this article: Move your iTunes library to another computer - Apple Support to ensure you are following the best step to back up your library and media files.

By default, the iTunes Media folder is stored in your iTunes folder:

[User folder]\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media

1. In the iTunes app on your PC, choose Edit > Preferences, then click Advanced.

2. Note the location of your iTunes Media folder in the “iTunes Media folder location” section.

3. Quit iTunes.

4. Navigate to your iTunes folder in File Explorer.

5. Drag the iTunes folder from its location to an external drive.

Have a good one!

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iTunes folders and Files on Windows 10

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