How can I get iTUNES library to display renamed files and folders (renamed with Windows Explorer)?

Question

How can I get iTUNES library to display renamed files and folders (renamed with Windows Explorer)?

How can I get iTunes library to display the new names and organisation of tracks and albums (ie files and folders) that I have renamed and reorganised (using Windows Explorer) having previously imported them using iTunes?

(Even when I relocate "lost" tracks in iTunes (using the drop down menu facility to view in Windows explorer), although iTunes will then play the track, and knows where to find it, it refuses to display the track with its correct (new) name, or show it the correct (new) album. That means I have lots of things called "Untitled" and "Track 01" etc, all of which have actually been renamed, but iTunes does not seem to have the capability to recognise the changes and update its library listing. Another example - a Tchaikovsky CD with 3 major works in 13 tracks insists on displaying in iTunes as 13 tracks in one album, despite the fact that I have reorganised the tracks into 3 albums - two being Swan Lake and The Nutcracker - and renamed the individual tracks to a more useable format.)

Windows XP

Posted on Oct 29, 2011 5:06 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 29, 2011 9:33 PM in response to ricky from new south wales

Further to my post:

a friend now tells me - very cynically - that Apple, in designing iTunes, treats the user as an idiot, and wants total control over what the user does with files. He says - don't bother with iTunes - that I can do what I want as I want with Windows Media Player. I'm beginning to wonder whether he is right, given that no-one has even replied, much less come up with a solution. (I should add that I'm not a big fan of Windows Media Player, since everytime it runs it racks the volume control on Music Publisher playback down to zero - I long for the day when software will be designed for all users, not for the software company's benefit, and will be properly market tested before being foisted onto the public.)

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Answer 2

Tgod1991

Level 1

30 points

Oct 29, 2011 10:20 PM in response to ricky from new south wales

So i wont be able to rename my tracks on itunes on be able to sync those settings to music on ipod? cause im sick of having duplicate artists cause of dumb errors i cant fix..

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Answer 3

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Oct 29, 2011 10:25 PM in response to ricky from new south wales

If you use Windows Explorer to change the name.

In iTunes delete those music files you've changed.

Drag the changed music files from Explorer into iTunes and it's done.

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Answer 4

Tgod1991

Level 1

30 points

Oct 29, 2011 10:43 PM in response to ckuan

Doesnt work that way?

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Answer 5

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Oct 29, 2011 11:10 PM in response to Tgod1991

I forget in my previous post after importing back to iTunes, you need to re-sync with your device again.

In iTunes: to group music together you need to change the Grouping field in Info tab (File > Get Info)

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Answer 6

Tgod1991

Level 1

30 points

Oct 29, 2011 11:21 PM in response to ckuan

I use to only have to drag songs from my computer folder into itunes to my ipod "music" let it copy then be able to rename those files correctly to how i would like them and then sync to ipod as how i edited them on itunes but in 10.5 that isnt working at all..And i do believe ive tried your way and many others nothing works. i downgraded itunes to 10.4.1 but now i cant connect ipod to itunes cause im on iOS 5...

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Answer 7

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Oct 29, 2011 11:41 PM in response to Tgod1991

Well, you could have rename the songs using iTunes with File > Get Info instead of using Windows Explorer or other 3rd Party file manager. The point is iTunes also kept a meta-file for all the songs (a database) so now the link to it are broken.

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Answer 8

Tgod1991

Level 1

30 points

Oct 30, 2011 12:29 AM in response to ckuan

That makes sense. Any possible way to delete them? And start fresh over?

Edit because the get info doesnt work and doesnt sync over what i did but if i could delete the old "memory" of thsoe files so it stopped auto filling artists i didnt even have copied over it should work again fine?

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Answer 9

Oct 30, 2011 5:43 AM in response to ckuan

Thanks for your replies ckuan

I agree with Tgod that your first solution does not work. It appears unpredictable whether the old or new file names are listed when you drag the folders into iTunes from Windows Explorer. The folder structure is completely missing. I reckon if you have to muck around spending days/weeks/months finding out how to fix links to a secret meta-file (obviously designed by some deep-cover microsoft worm working in the Apple!), then it's pretty obvious that almost any alternate way of doing this would be better. Bye bye iTunes!!

Incidentally, I tried several other things that (if the software was designed intuitively) should work, but give disastrous results:

1) when deleting the library listing in iTunes, it gives you two options - one is to remove the listings to the Recycler. Be aware that IF you select that option, it removes not only your library listing, but also your ACTUAL MUSIC FILES to the Recycler. Moreover, it does NOT remove the insidious secret meta-file that is what apparently keeps rewriting old names over your carefully renamed file names, and keeps totally ignoring your carefully designed folder (album) structure. OK - not a complete disaster, as I realised and went hunting through the chaos in the Recycler to recover all my files. No thanks to the genius who designed this brilliant feature!

2) after deleting the library listing in iTunes, I attempted to import just the folders that I wanted. iTunes refused to allow me to do that, and proceeded to try to import every frigging music file it could find on my whole hard drive, in apparently random fashion into the library. Whoever thought up that doozy either never ever tried to use or market test it, or has modified their mind rather too many times with artificial substances so their brain is like muesli chop suey.

3) oh why go on, it's too depressing ...

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Answer 10

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Oct 30, 2011 5:56 AM in response to ricky from new south wales

I feel your pain. Some of the magic is missing. What you can do is Export the iTunes' library somewhere for safe keeping and start anew. I know, it's a lot of work. (Or maybe use a 3rd party iTunes tool to help)

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Answer 11

Tgod1991

Level 1

30 points

Oct 30, 2011 7:43 AM in response to ckuan

Ill restart all and everything but how can i get this to work 100% and stay working.. =\

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Answer 12

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Oct 30, 2011 7:53 AM in response to Tgod1991

I can't promise anything but please don't use Explorer for that. The working chances will be higher. Good luck.

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Answer 13

Tgod1991

Level 1

30 points

Oct 30, 2011 8:11 AM in response to ckuan

There isnt a way to delete the old info from last itunes and restart? Cause how i have my music ordered in explorer isnt through the properties..That stuff is all messed up from it being pirated and dont have the time to fix all that. So i just rename "name" column to artist then song name Example: Wiz Khalifa - Reefer Parry. But when i transfer to itunes "music" on ipod touch it obviously copies differently over and i try to change the arist name and song title so it fits to other wiz khalifas but instead it shows like hotnewhiphop for artist when i look on ipod...ever since 10.5 and iOS 5 this stuff been messed up to max **** and been verying irratating. You under stand what i mean lol..I loved itunes for the reason of being able to organize my ipod very well and now i have like 5 wiz khalifas , websites showing up as artists..all cause itunes doesnt sync correctly to my **** ipod...hopefully that clears it all up and you can give me a fix fix cause no music for the past week ***** when driving around..

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Answer 14

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Oct 30, 2011 8:44 AM in response to Tgod1991

Like I've said. Export the iTunes Library somewhere safe. Create a new library. Do not drop folders (just songs) into iTunes. Use menu File > Library > Organize Library... > check Consolidate Files. iTunes will then create Folders for you. It will create folders for the artists and subfolders for the each album and in there the songs.

So drop some songs from one album from the same artist into iTunes. In iTunes, select them all and use Get Info > Info tab to change the artist, album, genre and Year (even add Album Cover image in Artwork tab if you wish that will make cover flow beautifully on your iPod Touch).

Repeat the procedure.

For your iPod create a playlist. Drop all the songs you want from your collections into the playlist and sync only the playlist. All the album artwork and info will be organize will be transfer automatically.

Good Luck.

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Answer 15

Tgod1991

Level 1

30 points

Oct 30, 2011 9:21 AM in response to ckuan

Thank you very much for the detailed steps will try this but one last question, why do i have to create a playlist? Something bugged in itunes now for that to be the only way? Usually only had to drag and drop songs to ipod's "music" then get info change info so its matching let it complete sync then able to browse artists or songs. But if i gta add all 2k songs to a playlist to beable to have them organized so be it lol. Thanks again.

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