Moving my iTunes Library to a new folder

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Moving my iTunes Library to a new folder

I recently followed instructions in Article: HT1364 trying to move my iTunes folder because my HDD is running low on space and I need to move it to an External HDD. I followed the directions and it went through the process of copying my iTunes folder, etc. But when I delete (rename) my old iTunes folder and then start iTunes it is as if I've just installed iTunes, none of my Media is there. If I put back my old iTunes folder it is there again. In Tools/Preferences Advanced it says my iTunes folder is in the new/desired location but something else is still relying on the old iTunes folder location.

I am using iTunes 10.2.1.1

Any ideas on what to try?

iPhone 4, iOS 4, iPhone 4

Posted on Apr 7, 2011 5:37 AM

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Answer 1

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Apr 7, 2011 6:15 AM in response to LJE_NC

I recently followed instructions in Article: HT1364 trying to move my iTunes folder

That does not move the iTunes folder. It moves the *iTunes media* folder.

But when I delete (rename) my old iTunes folder

Do NOT delete the iTunes folder. The article tells you to delete the *iTunes media* folder inside the iTunes folder.
Please reread the article.

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Answer 2

LJE_NC Author

Level 1

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Apr 7, 2011 12:14 PM in response to Chris CA

Thanks for pointing that out. That is a good point.

However, I notice in my C:\Documents and Settings\{USERNAME}\My Documents\My Music\iTunes folder, there is NOT a folder called Itunes Media.

The folders in there are:
gsdata
Album Artwork
iPod Games
Itunes Music (6+GB)
Mobile Applications (3+GB)
Previous iTunes Libraries

Can I delete Itunes Music and Mobile Applications? Those are the ones I need to get rid of to free up disk space.

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

272,743 points

Apr 7, 2011 1:05 PM in response to LJE_NC

Here are typical layouts for the iTunes folders:

If you have upgraded from version 8 (or earlier) to iTunes 9 (or later) at some point, then your media folder (everything inside the red outline) may still be called *iTunes Music* instead of *iTunes Media*. The extra Music folder inside the media folder is used if you have allowed iTunes to *Upgrade to iTunes Media Organization* (iTunes 9) or used *File > Library > Organize Library > Reorganize files in the folder "iTunes Media"* (iTunes 10). Depending on your choices for *Keep iTunes Media folder organized* and *Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library* plus a little bug in which one build changed the name of the file storing the choice of layout it is quite easy for some of your files to be organized according to one layout and some the other.

So... if you use the kb suggested method to move the media folder then you need to choose your new media folder on the external and consolidate everything to it. This copies all content inside the red box to the new folder. If your library was in the iTunes 8 layout and you also want iPod Games & Mobile Applications on your external drive then you need to *Upgrade to iTunes Media Organization* (iTunes 9) or *Reorganize files in the folder <Media Folder Name>* (iTunes 10). Only when you've checked that media, iPod Games and Mobile Apps are all being referenced on the external drive is it safe to first move those folders from their current location on the internal before testing the library again and then deleting the redundant folders.

The library files, Album Artwork and Previous iTunes Libraries folders should be left where they are, although you can probably delete all but the latest of the backup libraries in the Previous... folder.

If you want +even more+ room on your internal drive it is also possible to relocate the library files on the external drive. Details on request.

tt2

PS - I've no idea what qsdata is, I've never seen it before.

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