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Adding music to iTunes isn't working...

I usually use a desktop to manage iTunes and my music (latest version, Windows 7), but I needed to switch over to a laptop. The laptop never had iTunes on it, so I've downloaded the latest version. On my desktop, I was always able to drag MP3s directly into my library and they would be added to my music. Then I would delete the file from my desktop or wherever I was adding the file from and a copy would remain in my iTunes. This is not working with the laptop. When I delete the file from the desktop or elsewhere, the file is reported as missing and I have to restore the file. Is there anything I can do?


I've imported all my other music via Home Share, if that affects anything.

Windows 7

Posted on Sep 1, 2014 7:34 PM

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2 replies

Sep 2, 2014 2:17 AM in response to allons-y123

Hi,


See this article for guidance: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1391.


Make sure you have the "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library." option selected.


  1. Mac OS X: Choose iTunes > Preferences.
    Windows: Choose Edit > Preferences.
  2. From the Preferences window, select Advanced.
  3. Select the option "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library." *


* Select this option to store all your media files in the iTunes Media folder. Since it's all in one location, you can easily transfer or back up your media. When you purchase or import media into iTunes from a CD, it's automatically added to your iTunes Media folder. If you add media to iTunes another way (choosing "Add to library" from the File menu or by dragging an MP3 file into iTunes), it might not be added to your iTunes Media folder.



Now when you add a song to iTunes library, it will be copied to the library and you can safely delete the original file.


If the option "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library." is not selected, it will only add the song info into the iTunes Library, not the song itself, so the original location of the song (Desktop in your case) still remains. If you delete the song, it cannot be played from iTunes as the song doesn't exist anymore.

Adding music to iTunes isn't working...

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