Re-organize iTunes

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Level 1

6 points

Re-organize iTunes

I have 894 songs stored in iTunes. They are all over the place...2 users, many folders and many many subfolders. Lots of the music files were downloaded a long time ago from CDs, and many have been purchased from iTunes. I don't know how it got so messy.

I use a Sonos system to play my music. I recently had to update my Sonos system and in the process, Sonos is now having trouble finding many of my songs.

It occurs to me that this might be a good time to clean up. Maybe I should re-organize all my music in iTunes into a single location on my computer? Then I can tell Sonos to point to just one location. Sounds simple but...

I am TERRIFIED of losing any of my music! It took me many years to accumulate all of it. And I have created many great playlists.

I have found a Help article entitled Consolidate your files in the iTunes folder. It says to go to File>>Library>>Organize Library, then "Consolidate Files".

Then it says "Files remain in their original locations, and copies are placed in the iTunes folder". Perhaps this is the assurance I need that I will not lose any files in this process?

But which iTunes folder will it want to use? I seem to have many of them. I don't want to create a bigger mess than I already have.

If this is a good idea, I will need specifics about how to do it. Having 2 users on my computer makes it complicated. I don't know why I have 2 users.

Can someone please advise me?

Thank you in advance.

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Aug 17, 2023 1:29 PM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Aug 18, 2023 9:43 AM in response to jktjs

Your iTunes library has a folder designated as the media folder. This is typically C:\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes\ITunes Media but could potentially be some other path that you have chosen under Edit > Preferences > Advanced.

When you use the consolidate function iTunes looks at each item connected to the library. If it is already inside the media folder, nothing happens. If it is outside the media folder then a new copy is made inside the media folder, the database is connected to the new copy, and iTunes forgets the old file exists. You however might want to manually clean up afterwards so you don't accidentally add duplicates to the library at some later date.

tt2

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Answer 2

javaliga

Level 10

120,179 points

Aug 17, 2023 1:42 PM in response to jktjs

This link should explain what you want to know:

Make a split library portable - Apple Community

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Answer 3

jktjs Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 18, 2023 12:43 PM in response to turingtest2

OK, the paths are just as you describe.

I have just backed up all my iTunes folders and files, just to be safe.

I am going to leave iTunes alone for the moment, and start by working on Sonos, without touching iTunes at all.

If I can't fix things there, I will consolidate iTunes.

It scares me to make changes, but the system is unusable as-is so I have no choice. I can't imagine how iTunes will make sense of the 2 Users I have in Windows.

Thank you for responding. If I hit a snag, you will hear from me again.

Thanks!

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Answer 4

jktjs Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 18, 2023 1:50 PM in response to jktjs

I worked on Sonos and now it is working.

My Sonos system is hooked up to my 22-year-old built-in Bose speakers. It is very finicky, often requiring reboots and resets of Sonos, my wifi, Bose, and my router. I am sick of it--I just want to turn it on and have it work!

I will go looking for a new system. This setup is just too much of a pain.

Thank you for your help!

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