roccofrommullica hill
Level 1 (1 points)

Q: deleting itunes content from my imac

My IMac was full mostly from my Itunes library. I moved the contents from my Mac to a WDC drive. How do I delete the content still on my Mac without deleting it from my WDC drive?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Oct 24, 2012 11:51 AM

by Limnos,Solvedanswer
Limnos Limnos
Level 9 (54,635 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Sorry but I can't play that link with my computer.  If that link tells you to move your library by changing preferences then that link isn't really telling you how to move your whole library, and is titled incorrectly. Your library is more than just media files, and media's all you moved to the external.  Yes, you could just delete those from your internal drive but don't delete the other critical library files or you really will break your iTunes collection.

 

What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660

 

More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management

 

What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html


iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847

 

Again, make a backup of your computer first.  If you don't have a backup of all your files (those on the external too) in at least two locations then worry about losing files in this situation is only a starter.  You could start your computer tomorrow and find it is all gone, 100%.

Posted on Oct 26, 2012 7:31 AM

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roccofrommullica hill

Q: deleting itunes content from my imac

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Oct 24, 2012 11:55 AM in response to roccofrommullica hill
    Level 9 (54,635 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 24, 2012 11:55 AM in response to roccofrommullica hill

    First, how exactly did you do this move?  Many people do it the wrong way.

     

    The right way (for most):

     

    iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music [library] to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527

     

    Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings:  Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive.  Open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option (alt) key (shift on Windows), then guide it to the new location of the library.

     

    The wrong way (for most):

    Do not confuse moving your whole folder and library with moving just media files as in

     

    iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449

     

    If you are positive you are happy with what you did, drag the iTunes folder in your Music folder to the trash and empty the trash.  I would still make sure you backed up your computer first just in case you were wrong about being positive.

  • by roccofrommullica hill,

    roccofrommullica hill roccofrommullica hill Oct 26, 2012 6:57 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Oct 26, 2012 6:57 AM in response to Limnos

    I just moved the media library. I went to preferences under advanced I went under Itunes media folder location and i moved that to my exterenal hard drive. I clicked the two boxes under that, made a new folder and all the stuff did go over. I followed this link on Cnet.

     

    http://cnettv.cnet.com/move-your-itunes-library-external-drive/9742-1_53-5010991 0.html

     

    Everything is over on the external drive but before I mess this up I was hoping someone could help me.

     

    Thanks

  • by Limnos,Solvedanswer

    Limnos Limnos Oct 26, 2012 7:31 AM in response to roccofrommullica hill
    Level 9 (54,635 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 26, 2012 7:31 AM in response to roccofrommullica hill

    Sorry but I can't play that link with my computer.  If that link tells you to move your library by changing preferences then that link isn't really telling you how to move your whole library, and is titled incorrectly. Your library is more than just media files, and media's all you moved to the external.  Yes, you could just delete those from your internal drive but don't delete the other critical library files or you really will break your iTunes collection.

     

    What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660

     

    More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management

     

    What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html


    iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847

     

    Again, make a backup of your computer first.  If you don't have a backup of all your files (those on the external too) in at least two locations then worry about losing files in this situation is only a starter.  You could start your computer tomorrow and find it is all gone, 100%.