How do I stop itunes from rearranging all my folders

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Level 1

12 points

How do I stop itunes from rearranging all my folders

iTunes is driving me crazy. I want all my music arranged in the folders they came in. When I turn on iTunes, it rearranges everything so some songs are listed under album directories and creates artists directories and puts another album directory there with some of the songs. After all this, I gradually begin losing songs completely. I like the user interface on iTunes but everything else about it *****. Is there any way to use iTunes without having it rearrange all my "stuff"?

Posted on Jan 3, 2013 4:53 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Steve Taylor1

Level 5

4,697 points

Jan 3, 2013 5:00 AM in response to EarlRide

If in preferences, Advanced you turn off Keep iTunes Media Folder organised then that should give you the control you wanted.

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Answer 2

EarlRide Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 3, 2013 6:46 AM in response to Steve Taylor1

That is what I thought too but it is not checked.I actually uninstalled iTunes, moved all my music to the my music directory and put them back in directories by individual Album names (minus the songs that dissappeared while being managed by iTunes). I reinstalled iTunes, verified that that box was not checked and selected add folders to iTunes. Do you think I caused the problem by asking iTunes to load the folders into my library? How else could I get the music in iTunes without doing that?

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Answer 3

Jan 3, 2013 6:48 AM in response to EarlRide

Maybe you also need to uncheck the copy to itunes folder in preferences as well?. Then dewlete from itunes and reimport from your organised folders. Itunes will not copy the file just put links in to your files

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Answer 4

EarlRide Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 3, 2013 7:14 AM in response to Steve Taylor1

No - that is not checked either. Those two items certainly appear to be what I need but iTunes seems to be behaving like either or both of them are checked. I wonder if there is some corruption or left over files that are causing iTunes to hehave like they are checked?

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Answer 5

Jan 3, 2013 7:19 AM in response to EarlRide

Beats me. Is there any way by which you could copy the itunes music to somewhere else just in case the delete the Music in itunes so it is empty. The File > Add folder to library and add the music from your organised folders.

Ideally the folder should stay put.

Maybe just try it with one Album first..

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Answer 6

turingtest2

Level 10

272,795 points

Jan 3, 2013 7:26 AM in response to Steve Taylor1

The "gradually begin losing songs" thing sounds like it could be something else moving things around, particularly if you have those two options turned off. Try searching your entire computer for one of the "missing" songs. If found, where is it? I take it there are still entries in the iTunes database but iTunes can no longer play the files.

tt2

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