How can I update my iTunes "folder" on a Win 10 PC without losing my existing playlists?

My library consists of 25 thousand plus songs, collected over many years on at least five external drives. I would like to consolidate all of my files onto one drive and update the I-Tunes "folder", that is always connected to a Win 10 PC. Are there best practices to employ in accomplishing this effort so that I don't lose my existing play lists.


Thanks in advance!


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Jun 8, 2024 9:38 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 9, 2024 5:21 AM

See Make a split library portable - Apple Community for background.


In brief, get a new drive that is big enough to contain everything, and another for backup. Copy your existing iTunes library folder to the root of that drive as X:\iTunes where X is the drive letter, press and hold down shift when launching iTunes, use the choose library option and open X:\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl. Reset the media folder (Edit > Preferences > Advanced) if needed to X:\iTunes\iTunes Media. Now with all of your other external drives connected use File > Library > Organize Library > Consolidate Files to copy in any files that are currently referenced outside of the main iTunes Media folder.


If you have more than one drive that only connects to the library when using the same drive letter (e.g. you have content on two drives that normally show as, say, drive F:) then connect one, make sure it is using the correct letter, consolidate, then repeat with the other. Consolidating can only copy in tracks that can be located.


Once the process is complete see Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy - Apple Community for thoughts on backing up.


tt2

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 9, 2024 5:21 AM in response to allen1159

See Make a split library portable - Apple Community for background.


In brief, get a new drive that is big enough to contain everything, and another for backup. Copy your existing iTunes library folder to the root of that drive as X:\iTunes where X is the drive letter, press and hold down shift when launching iTunes, use the choose library option and open X:\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl. Reset the media folder (Edit > Preferences > Advanced) if needed to X:\iTunes\iTunes Media. Now with all of your other external drives connected use File > Library > Organize Library > Consolidate Files to copy in any files that are currently referenced outside of the main iTunes Media folder.


If you have more than one drive that only connects to the library when using the same drive letter (e.g. you have content on two drives that normally show as, say, drive F:) then connect one, make sure it is using the correct letter, consolidate, then repeat with the other. Consolidating can only copy in tracks that can be located.


Once the process is complete see Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy - Apple Community for thoughts on backing up.


tt2

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How can I update my iTunes "folder" on a Win 10 PC without losing my existing playlists?

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