how do i move itunes from my "C" drive to my "E" drive?

just wondering if someone has a simple step by step for me to move all of what is itunes on my C drive to my E drrive...i have an old PC, my C drive is only 15Gigs, and is currently 95% full. i cant download pictures from my camera because of this...i would like it all on E drive which has 250G of free space...


or is it easier to uninstall itunes from my computer, reinstall it on my E drive (would i have to create a folder for it or would itunes do it itself?) and then use my laptop (with the same itunes account and library) to transfer everything back over?

Posted on Jul 31, 2013 11:22 AM

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14 replies

Jul 31, 2013 12:57 PM in response to TunesFan

The "official" support document describes how to create a split library with the database and supporting files remaining on C: and the media files being moved elsewhere. This is then harder to backup and/or move at a later date, and breaks if the secondary drive letter is changed for some reason. The advice given by Chris and myself is based on practical experience.


tt2

Jul 31, 2013 11:28 AM in response to mikesitunes

currently under <edit> <preferences> <advanced> the folder is listed as:

C:\Documents and Settings\Mike\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music


would i just make a folder on my E drive titled:

E:\iTunes


and then copy and paste something into it and then change the advanced prefernce to the folder i made?


if so what folders/ files do i need to copy so that itunes doenst look on my c drive for the files?

Jul 31, 2013 11:37 AM in response to mikesitunes

Don't go moving and renaming stuff, and changing all kinds of settings...


It is very, very simple...

  1. Copy the entire /Music/iTunes folder to the E: drive.
  2. Hold Shift, launch iTunes, select Choose library... and select the iTunes folder you copied to the E: drive.

This is all you need to do.



mikesitunes wrote:


just wondering if someone has a simple step by step for me to move all of what is itunes on my C drive to my E drrive...i have an old PC, my C drive is only 15Gigs, and is currently 95% full. i cant download pictures from my camera because of this

Make sure you are downloading your photos (which has nothing to do with iTunes) also to the E: drive.

Jul 31, 2013 11:43 AM in response to mikesitunes

If you haven't already done so use iTunes > Library > Organize Library > Rearrange files in the folder 'iTunes Music'. This moves any iPod games, mobile apps and ringtones into the main media folder, and moves music into it's own subfolder like other media types. If the option is greyed out it has already been done.


Once done you can close iTunes, rename iTunes Music as iTunes Media then reopen. This will make your library match the current layout. Check that media folder preference updated automatically. If not, change it, then close and reopen iTunes.


With iTunes closed you can now move or copy the entire iTunes folder to your E: drive as E:\iTunes. When the transfer is complete press and hold down the shift key as you click the icon to launch iTunes. Keep holding until asked to choose or create a library. Click choose and browse to the file E:\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl.


If you don't use the rearrange library bit above and your library is in the old layout (iTunes Music is a hint that it might be) then iTunes will still look for iPod Games, mobile apps and ringtones (now just tones) on the C: drive.


See make a split library portable for a more generic version of the instructions above.


See also this backup tip. Might be best to copy the current library after getting it in the right shape and not delete the original until you've made a backup on a separate drive.


tt2


Message was edited by: turingtest2

Jul 31, 2013 11:21 PM in response to turingtest2

okay i didnt see your post until after i copied and followed chris' instructions...now that i ahve done so should i somehow undo what i did and do your thing first? i havent deleted teh music folder containing itunes off the c drive yet...i dont have anything to do with mobile apps (cause i have a crappy black berry) and the only games are the ones on my daughters ipod touch...so i guess i dont want to mess them all up...so sadly those instructions werent quite laymen enough for me to follow...

Aug 1, 2013 7:02 AM in response to mikesitunes

I'm pretty certain that if you use Get Info. on one items in the Apps section of your library (daughter's iPod touch apps) and look at the summary tab you will find it is still pointed at the file on drive C:


To fix things first double-check under Edit > Preferences > Advanced that the media folder is reading as E:\iTunes\iTunes Music which it should be if you followed Chris's instructions.


Now open File > Library > Organize Library... and tick both boxes, then click OK.


{Optional, but I would] Close iTunes, rename E:\iTunes\iTunes Music as E:\iTunes\iTunes Media, start iTunes. Check media folder automatically updated to E:\iTunes\iTunes Media,


You should now be free to delete the original content on C:, though as before I'd recommend backing up to another drive first.


tt2

Aug 1, 2013 7:14 AM in response to turingtest2

okay that looks easy enough...now when i click get info on an app the "where" which i would think is what you are talking about points to E:\itunes etc etc...so does this mean i am ok to erase c drive files then if the apps already point to E drive..?


also under the organize library you point me to there are two options, consolidate files (which is black and available) and the reorganize files (which is greyed out and not available)


thanks for your help thus far...

Aug 1, 2013 7:25 AM in response to turingtest2

okay songs now point to

E:\mymusic\itunes\itunesmusic\music\(artist)\(album)\(songtitle)


and apps point to

E:\mymusic\itunes\itunesmusic\mobileapplictions\(name of app)


and i clicked on consolidte files aswell...


now you want me to close itunes, rename the \itunesmusic portion of the files to itunesmedia? i assume i do this in windows explorer and just rename that portion of the link (folder)

Aug 1, 2013 11:07 AM in response to turingtest2

Thankyou very much for your time, patience and understanding of my limited computer knowledge, everything iTunes related is now on my e drive erased from my c drive, and working just fine...folder also renamed and all is good...it is honestly very nice to find people helping for the sake of helping...yours and chris's advise is greatly appreciated...


now i have to figure out how to make it so my camera downloads to my e drive too...i am sure there is a Canon community i can bug for that...lol.


thanks again.

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how do i move itunes from my "C" drive to my "E" drive?

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