Sharing only works if the desktop PC (always on) is also running iTunes.

Question

Sharing only works if the desktop PC (always on) is also running iTunes.

When I'm down the garden in the workshop, using the Windows 7 laptop that lives there, I can only play music on iTunes if the (Win 7) desktop in the study upstairs in the house (always on) is also running iTunes. Normally it won't be. Is there a way for iTunes on the laptop (on the home network) to access the iTunes library on the desktop without me having to go back to the house, unlock, go upstairs, and start iTunes on the desktop?

At the moment, I don't bother - I just run Windows Media Player which plays the iTunes music library fine, but not the playlists.

There's no spare space on the laptop to download the music library to that.

iPad 2, iOS 7.0.4

Posted on Jun 11, 2015 2:14 AM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jun 11, 2015 7:25 AM in response to Keithjillings

No, home sharing requires that iTunes is running. If you just want access to the media you can make a library on the laptop that is connected to a shared media folder on the desktop, but again you don't get to see the playlists or update ratings & play counts.

tt2

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Answer 2

Jun 11, 2015 7:39 AM in response to turingtest2

Thank you. That was what I suspected.

The iTunes music folder on the PC is shared on the network, so I can play the music using Windows Media Player. I'd lilke to be able to use the playlists that I put together, but if I can't, I'll live with that. I just play the folders, which gets half way to the same result.

It's a pity Apple weren't clever enough to make this possible - the playlists are on the desktop and accessible to the laptop. iTunes just doesn't read them. Maybe there's a sneaky way to set up a symlink to make it think the playlists on the desktop are really on the laptop... I'll have a play later on...

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jun 11, 2015 7:45 AM in response to Keithjillings

As long as the library itself is in a portable shape (see Make a split library portable) then you can access the whole thing remotely, but performance is usually poor, and the library can only be accessed by one system at a time.

tt2

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Answer 4

Jun 11, 2015 8:04 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks again. In that case, I'll stick with the WMP option. It works!

Somewhere around, I have an old iPod. That may be about to become workshop music centre.

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Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jun 11, 2015 8:27 AM in response to Keithjillings

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2

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Answer 6

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Jun 11, 2015 9:10 AM in response to Keithjillings

Keithjillings wrote:

When I'm down the garden in the workshop, using the Windows 7 laptop that lives there, I can only play music on iTunes if the (Win 7) desktop in the study upstairs in the house (always on) is also running iTunes. Normally it won't be.

Why not?

The computer is always on. Just leave iTunes running.

You don't need to have anything playing..

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Answer 7

Jun 11, 2015 12:06 PM in response to Chris CA

Ah, if only I had the nous to go upstairs and turn on iTunes before I go down to the workshop. It doesn't often happen like that.

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Answer 8

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Jun 11, 2015 4:10 PM in response to Keithjillings

Keithjillings wrote:

Ah, if only I had the nous to go upstairs and turn on iTunes before I go down to the workshop.

I never suggested you go up and launch iTunes before you go to the workshop.

Right now go up and launch iTunes.

Your computer is always running. Just leave iTunes always running.

Don’t wait until you go to the workshop to launch iTunes.

I never turn off my computer or quit iTunes. It is always running.

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