Why are there strange files in my music library when I add music to iTunes?

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Level 1

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Why are there strange files in my music library when I add music to iTunes?

My music files were in the "My Music" folder on my laptop (Windows 7) just minding their own business. When I added them to iTunes, though, the program decided to vomit dozens and dozens of small files into the music folder to mix with my mp3 files. They're all titled with numbers and letters like code. If I delete them, they just come right back as soon as I open iTunes.

Here's what it looks like:

I really, really, really, really do NOT want to have to sift through hundreds of files to choose a song or mess with my Library (I'm still in the process of building it up).

Can someone please help me out here? This is one of the reasons I'm debating on whether I even want a new iPod. Obviously, there are so many things I love about Apple. But I've looked this up online and, judging from experience with Apple, I have the bad feeling that either 1. Nobody will answer this question or 2. Everyone will say "Just deal with it."

Windows 7

Posted on Jun 16, 2012 8:21 PM

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Answer 1

Belleindigo Author

Level 1

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Jun 25, 2012 8:53 PM in response to Belleindigo

Guess my first fear was right on the money! But bump, just in case there's anyone online tonight who knows what they're doing.

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Answer 2

wiclee

Level 5

6,992 points

Jun 25, 2012 10:13 PM in response to Belleindigo

These are Album artwork files created by iTunes. If you delete them iTunes will recreate them as it needs them.

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Answer 3

the fiend

Level 7

23,454 points

Jun 26, 2012 2:29 AM in response to Belleindigo

Belleindigo wrote:

I really, really, really, really do NOT want to have to ... mess with my Library

Then don't!

As wiclee says, those are the artwork files and the metadata that goes with them. You cannot open those file types yourself. I had to use the Search facility in my Windows 7 before I could find them. My guess is that they're hidden so that you don't find them and start deleting them (Well done for mucking that up then!)

When I looked online for the file extension (which can be clearly seen in your picture), I found out exactly what they are, very quickly, so heaven only knows where you were looking if all you found was judging from experience with Apple, I have the bad feeling that either 1. Nobody will answer this question or 2. Everyone will say "Just deal with it."

Apparently not.

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Answer 4

Belleindigo Author

Level 1

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Jun 26, 2012 2:41 AM in response to the fiend

What do you mean apparantly not? I posted this question a week ago! And I had to bump it today to get anything at all!

No offense meant at all to you, "the fiend", but I did not have to search anywhere for these files. They are right there in my music folder. If they weren't getting in the way, I wouldn't be here. Again, no offense, but how hard is that to understand? I'm sure I made it clear in my question.

So, basically, it was option two. "Just deal with it."

-_-

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Answer 5

the fiend

Level 7

23,454 points

Jun 26, 2012 2:57 AM in response to Belleindigo

Actually the option is to leave things alone!

The search I did was to look up itc2 to find out what the files are. Did you do that?

A simple Google got me to http://www.fileinfo.com/extension/itc2 .

In the last 24 hours, there have been apporximately 207 posts added to the iTunes for Windows discussions. It's very easy for someone on the other side of the world to you (whjo may have been at work or asleep when you posted), to miss new posts and those of us who do contribute here, do so because we want to help. So to bump a post with belligerence ...

Belleindigo wrote:

1. Nobody will answer this question or 2. Everyone will say "Just deal with it."

.. isn't the best way to get (friendly) help. But you did get help though, didn't you?

... and it was not "just deal with it", it was an explanation and suggestion that you should leave the files intact.

If you think I'm rude, then look at it from the point of view of those who try to help. It isn't often satisfactory or rewarding.

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Answer 6

Belleindigo Author

Level 1

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Jun 26, 2012 3:11 AM in response to the fiend

I'm not ordinarily so passive aggresive and rude - honest! I'm just fed up. I hate asking for help with Apple software, because I seem to always get the same response nomatter how nice I try to be. The length of time doesn't bother me; I patiently waited a week to bump this question to give it some time.

Anyway, call me a noob, but to me it sounds like the solution is just to deal with it, because there isn't anything I can do to make my music folder easier to go through.

I appreciate the time taken to answer me, though.

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Answer 7

turingtest2

Level 10

278,103 points

Jun 26, 2012 3:21 AM in response to Belleindigo

Those files should be being created in folders of the form:

<User's Music>\iTunes\Album Artwork\Cache|Download\<GUID>\<##>\<##>\<##>

The <GUID> in your case is 0CDB362F24AD473A...

If they are appearing anywhere else I would suspect a permissions problem. iTunes just spits them out where it can. Similar problems can sometimes cause it to drop files on the desktop.

Repair Permissions

Right-click on your main iTunes folder and click Properties, then go to the Security tab and click Advanced. If necessary grant your account and system full control to this folder, subfolders and files, then tick the option to replace permissions on child objects which will repair permissions throughout the library. This is the XP dialog but Windows 7 shouldn't be too different.

Once you've repaired the permissions search for all files of the form *.itc2 in the music folder and delete them, then start iTunes. iTunes will rebuild the artwork cache in the correct location as you scroll through your library.

tt2

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