Can I add videos to iTunes without it copying them to another folder on my hard drive?

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Level 1

1 points

Can I add videos to iTunes without it copying them to another folder on my hard drive?

I am trying to import videos to iTunes from an external hard drive. The videos take up lots of space so it is not possible to create a copy of all the videos on my internal HD for iTunes to use.

Can I import and play the videos in iTunes directly from the external HD at all, without them being copied over?

Thanks.

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Jul 26, 2013 1:48 PM

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Answer 1

Zane W

Level 3

670 points

Jul 30, 2013 9:21 AM in response to elliswicks

yes, you just want to make sure that the "copy files to iTuens Mdia Folder when adding to library" is unchecked under iTunes > Preferences... > Advanced

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Answer 2

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Jul 30, 2013 9:34 AM in response to elliswicks

Option drag the video to iTunes will add it to iTunes but not copy it anywhere.

Alternatively, you can move yoru entire iTunes folder to the external and use everything there (my preference).

Quit iTunes.
Drag the entire/Music/iTunes/ folder to the external.
Hold Option and launch iTunes.
Select Choose library... and select the iTunes folder on the external.
iTunes will now use the external for everything.
Also, go to /iTunes/iTunes media/ folder on the external.
Make an alias of the folder Automatically add to iTunes.
Add new media to this folder and iTunes will add to iTunes and move (not copy) it to the iTunes media folder.
No more duplicates when adding to iTunes

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