I can't add music folders to iTunes

Hello 'Dallandra'

You can still add folders, Apple have just decided to make it harder to find.

In iTunes, click the top left > Show Menu Bar > File > Add Folder To Library

And you're off....

Oh my gosh, iTunes gets more and more annoying to use with each update.

I was setting up a new computer, couldn't find the option to "import" my 120 gb worth of music files, so I assumed they changed it to some other naming convention. All I could find was the preference setting of selecting where the iTunes music directory should be. So I set it to my music folder. It quickly wiped out all 120 gb of my files. My entire library since 1996 including countless irreplacable rare electronic music songs. Luckily I'm a software engineer so recovering the deleted files wasn't hard, but I sure feel sorry for others that run into this situation.

Hopefully Apple will get a clue and start to treat customers better with their new update iTunes specs.

These are two possible approaches that should work to move the existing library to a new computer.

Method 1

1. Backup the library with this User Tip.
2. Restore the backup to your new computer using the same tool used to back it up.
3. Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer want to access protected content on it.
4. Keep your backup up-to-date in future.

Method 2

Connect the two computers to the same network. Share your <User's Music> folder from the old computer and copy the entire iTunes library folder into the <User's Music> folder on the new one. Again, deauthorize the old computer if no longer required.

Both methods should give the new computer a working clone of the library that was on the old one. As far as iTunes is concerned this is still the "home" library for your devices so you shouldn't have any issues with iTunes wanting to erase and reload. Done properly there is no "import phase" on the new computer. If you want to store the library on a different path use the hold-down-shift-as-you-start-iTunes method to connect to it.

I'd recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library.

Should you be in the unfortunate position where an old computer has died with no backup then see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.

tt2

Thanks

I have this same problem - even if i follow these steps the option to add folders doesnt' show - only file.... it is driving me up the wall. I am currenlty hating I Tunes with a passion and hoping beyond hope that transfering myfile to a new laptop hasn't lost me all my music.

rathound wrote:

I have this same problem - even if i follow these steps the option to add folders doesnt' show - only file.... it is driving me up the wall. I am currenlty hating I Tunes with a passion and hoping beyond hope that transfering myfile to a new laptop hasn't lost me all my music.

Enable the menu bar with CTRL+B.

tt2

it was my birthday 2 days ago, and i got the new edm album, it came in three cd's and disk 2&3 uploaded fine, but disk 1 uploaded as -track 1 -track 2 -track 3 ect ect, so i copied the songs off the cd and put them onto my laptop and named them as they should be, but now they will not go onto my itunes no matter what i try and i really do not know what to do.. iv been on different websites and tried quite a few ways of putting them on but none of them have worked... i want the old itunes back!!! my dad payed £400 for an ipad but i cant even put songs on it!!!!

How do you add a folder to itunes