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User profile for user: KATnLA
KATnLA Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

MkLink /J redirect not working with iTunes Backup

W'11 w/ iTunes. Object is to backup iTunes to an external HD. I have successfully created a link using "MkLInk /J". iTunes gives a error: "iTunes could not back up the iPad (device name) because an error occurred. If I place a file in the Redirect folder it does show up in the target folder.


Also, my MobileSync folder is in a different path than what is given in the instructions. It is:

"%UserProfile%\AppData\Local\Packages\AppleInc.iTunes_nzyj5cx40ttqa\LocalCache\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync"


Any help would be appreciated.


Windows, Windows 6

Posted on Sep 5, 2023 7:13 PM

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User profile for user: turingtest2
turingtest2
User level: Level 10
274,482 points

Posted on Sep 7, 2023 5:26 AM

KATnLA wrote:

Thanks for the reply. The path mentioned in the instructions, "%USERPROFILE%\Apple\MobileSync\Backup\", does exist on my system, but iTunes is not using it.


It has done on other MS store releases. This might be a recent change, or a Windows 11 thing. The traditional installer should use the other default location mentioned in the user tip.


To keep my playlists etc, Will it be enough for me to Export/Import the library (File|Library|Export), remove, then install iTunes from Apple, then use the "Import Playlist" utility? My music files are staying right were they are.
Please advise.


Always good to have a backup of the whole library, and a spare copy of the .itl file won't hurt. While you can export the library as an XML file if you were to reimport it all the date added values get reset, so better to have the actual database. All that said you can switch from one current version of iTunes to another without affecting your library. If you try to downgrade you may sometimes get an issue where the old version won't open a file made by a newer one, which is where the files in the Previous iTunes Libraries folder can come in handy.


tt2

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User profile for user: turingtest2
turingtest2
User level: Level 10
274,482 points

Sep 7, 2023 5:26 AM in response to KATnLA

KATnLA wrote:

Thanks for the reply. The path mentioned in the instructions, "%USERPROFILE%\Apple\MobileSync\Backup\", does exist on my system, but iTunes is not using it.


It has done on other MS store releases. This might be a recent change, or a Windows 11 thing. The traditional installer should use the other default location mentioned in the user tip.


To keep my playlists etc, Will it be enough for me to Export/Import the library (File|Library|Export), remove, then install iTunes from Apple, then use the "Import Playlist" utility? My music files are staying right were they are.
Please advise.


Always good to have a backup of the whole library, and a spare copy of the .itl file won't hurt. While you can export the library as an XML file if you were to reimport it all the date added values get reset, so better to have the actual database. All that said you can switch from one current version of iTunes to another without affecting your library. If you try to downgrade you may sometimes get an issue where the old version won't open a file made by a newer one, which is where the files in the Previous iTunes Libraries folder can come in handy.


tt2

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User profile for user: turingtest2
turingtest2
User level: Level 10
274,482 points

Sep 6, 2023 3:06 AM in response to KATnLA

From the look of things you are going to be using the Microsoft Store version of iTunes. Store apps are supposed to be sandboxed, which may well prevent a junction within that set of folders working correctly. I'd suggest removing that version and using the traditional installer at https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/win64. With luck that will allow you to set up a working junction.


tt2

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User profile for user: KATnLA
KATnLA Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Sep 6, 2023 4:51 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks for the reply. The path mentioned in the instructions, "%USERPROFILE%\Apple\MobileSync\Backup\", does exist on my system, but iTunes is not using it.

To keep my playlists etc, Will it be enough for me to Export/Import the library (File|Library|Export), remove, then install iTunes from Apple, then use the "Import Playlist" utility? My music files are staying right were they are.

Please advise.

Reply
User profile for user: KATnLA
KATnLA Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Sep 7, 2023 8:16 PM in response to turingtest2

Thank you tt2:

I exported the Library, Playlist and the database .itl files, just in case (always better safe, than sorry).

However, after removal and re-installation (using the install from iTunes) the correct paths were created and actively used by iTunes. I was then able to successfully create the junction and iTunes is backing up to the external drive as desired.

Your advise is much appreciated.

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MkLink /J redirect not working with iTunes Backup

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