All MP3 files are showing in iTunes twice

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Level 1

8 points

All MP3 files are showing in iTunes twice

A few months ago, I bought a new PC and moved all my data and songs from my old Win XP computer to my new Win 8.1 computer.

After installing iTunes on my new Win 8.1 PC, all my MP3 songs are duplicated. They're shown twice and both of the instances do play. When I open each of the song's two instances and inspect their location, they do seem to be in two distinctly different locations:

C:\users\anthony\music\mp3\"song file name", and
C:\documents and settings\anthony\my documents\my music\mp3\"song file name"

The Microsoft community forum says that the C:\users\ directory is the actual directory and that the other location C:\documents and settings is basically an alias.

So it doesn't sound like they're actually stored in 2 locations, but fro some reasoniTunes thinks they are. I don't want them showing up twice in iTunes.

I'm looking for some guidance on how to correct this nuisance. Thanks, T

Posted on Jun 27, 2014 4:34 PM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jun 27, 2014 5:28 PM in response to TSwatek

Hi. I have a script for deduping tracks in iTunes but this particular scenario is the one I've failed so far to completely address. Were the two groups imported at the same time or one after the other? See this thread for background on the script but don't try to use it as it is. The current version will see the two copies as physical duplicates and in trying to delete one would delete the only real file. I can add in a quick hack to bypass the recycling routine so that no files are deleted but I also have an idea for detecting when this situation arises and ideally the script would keep the copy located in the true media folder path and discard the other.entry. Give me a nudge if I haven't got back to you by this time tomorrow.

tt2

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Answer 2

TSwatek Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 27, 2014 5:49 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks, Turingtest2. I've looked at several discussion - both on PC and on Mac - and there doesn't appear to be any easy solution.

One person suggested:

1. Rename the folder(s) you want to disassociate,and then

2. Delete all the songs that have exclamation points (meaning song not found).

I started that process, but the most difficult (and massively time consuming) thing is that the exclamation point doesn't show up until you try to play the song. So I have to dbl-click the song, hit cancel, dbl-click the next song, hit cancel, and so on... I have like 9000 songs from years of collecting. And since iTunes is showing them twice, that's following that process for the original and the duplicate.

I'm not sure how I managed to do this, but I think I may have inadvertently added the same folder twice when I was trying to get my new PC loaded with all my old data and reinstalling all my old apps. Being very unfamiliar with the Win 8.1 file structure, I may have added the same exact folder twice - first at the C:\users\ actual directory and then at the C:\documents and settings alias location.

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jun 27, 2014 5:53 PM in response to TSwatek

The problem with that method is that you can't rename the one folder without affecting the other. Don't worry, I'll cook up a solution, but 2am is the wrong time to start on it. 😉

tt2

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Answer 4

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jun 28, 2014 6:21 PM in response to TSwatek

I'm afraid it has been a busy day. I haven't managed to get down to writing new code as yet, but I think I've worked out what approach to take. Hopefully I will be able to put it into action tomorrow.

tt2

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Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jun 29, 2014 6:01 PM in response to TSwatek

I've uploaded a new version of my DeDuper script which should be able to detect when the same file is on two different paths and act appropriately. The script preserves ratings, play counts and playlist membership and can recycle real duplicates while keeping hold of an original copy each duplicated track. See this thread for background, this post for detailed usage instructions, and please take note of the warning to backup your library before deduping.

Test with the duplicated tracks of a single album first just to get a feel for it. It can take some time to run as it makes 5 passes over the selection, so you'll need to be patient if you are not able to use it with the progress bar active. If it detects the possibility (as it will in your case) that two seemingly different paths point to the same file it will prompt you to confirm the correct path to the media folder. This should be the C:\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media one, please correct it if it detected the wrong folder before proceeding.

tt2

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Answer 6

TSwatek Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 30, 2014 8:05 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks, tt2. I went ahead and solved my problem the long, tedious way over the weekend. I doubt your efforts will go to waste, though, since some other person with the same problem will likely need and find your script on this thread.

You seem to be very knowledgeable in this area and I have another question/issue, but it's unrelated to this thread so I'm going to start a new thread called "How do I avoid duplicates when adding MP3 folders". I hope you'll check it out and see if you have any ideas.

Thanks for your help and your service to this community. Tony

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Answer 7

TSwatek Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 30, 2014 8:32 AM in response to TSwatek

My other post about duplicates from added folders... How do I avoid duplicates when adding MP3 folders

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