Copy songs into iTunes and duplicates

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Copy songs into iTunes and duplicates

If copy songs into my iTunes library that are already there, will it write over them, or duplicate them, assunimg Meta data is the same between the two.

In other words, I have a Master Back-up of all my music outside of iTunes. Then I copy the music into my itunes library so it can be played with HomeShare. The problem is I can't recall what music has been added to the Master that IS NOT in iTunes. If I just drag ALL the music into iTunes, if it is already there, will it copy over or create duplicate songs?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3), Quad-Core i7

Posted on Nov 6, 2012 6:33 AM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

411,157 points

Nov 6, 2012 7:29 AM in response to J. Christopher Edwards

If you add a second copy of a file, even if it is identical to one already in iTunes but just a second copy of the file, it will add it to iTunes and you will end up with duplicates. So if this is truly a backup (which means a second copy of things) it will add those files too, and lots of duplicates. If you add a file that already exists in your library it will realize that files is already referenced in the library and not duplicate it. iTunes adds files and doesn't really pay attention to the actual contents.

There are other types and ways to end up with duplicates. See: Posts by turingtest2 about different types of duplicates and techniques- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3555601 and https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3293239?answerId=16042406022#16042406022 (Note: The DeDuper script is for Windows)

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