HT201596: Open a different iTunes Library file or create a new one

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karlstad2

Q: How do I make this location the default?

How do I make this permanent so that Itunes DEFAULTS to the Itunes Library File at this other location?  I don't want to have to press shift every time I open Itunes to redirect it.

Windows 8

Posted on Jun 13, 2015 9:37 AM

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Q: How do I make this location the default?

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  • by hhgttg27,Solvedanswer

    hhgttg27 hhgttg27 Jun 13, 2015 10:58 AM in response to karlstad2
    Level 5 (5,407 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 13, 2015 10:58 AM in response to karlstad2

    iTunes will always open using the most recent active library, unless that location is unavailable (e.g., on a removable drive that has been disconnected or had its drive letter changed since the last time iTunes was run).  In other words, once you've used SHIFT-start to select a specific library that becomes the "default" library until you change it (or it is not available).

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jun 13, 2015 11:04 AM in response to karlstad2
    Level 9 (56,834 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 13, 2015 11:04 AM in response to karlstad2

    You can also go into iTunes and check the setting. Go to Edit>Preferences>Advanced, and that lists the iTunes library location.

  • by hhgttg27,

    hhgttg27 hhgttg27 Jun 13, 2015 11:18 AM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 5 (5,407 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 13, 2015 11:18 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

    "Go to Edit>Preferences>Advanced, and that lists the iTunes library location."

     

    Nope - that setting is for the iTunes Media folder, not the library database, and in any case is not (even though counter-intuitive) used by iTunes locate any existing media files.  The only thing that this setting does is determine where iTunes will place new additions to the library, in conjunction with other configuration options, as follows:

    iTunes Locations for new media.jpg

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jun 13, 2015 11:36 AM in response to hhgttg27
    Level 9 (56,834 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 13, 2015 11:36 AM in response to hhgttg27

    I'm sorry, but the information that I provided is for the Windows version of iTunes, since the OP's profile said Windows 8.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jun 13, 2015 12:03 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 10 (84,964 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 13, 2015 12:03 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    Hi Chris,

     

    hhgttg27 is right, changing the media folder location in preferences is a different operation from telling iTunes which .itl file to open. For some background see Make a split library portable. As given, shift-starting-iTunes and choosing or creating a new library makes that the library that iTunes will open every time until you use the same process to choose another. Setting the media folder tells iTunes where to put new media from this moment forward. In a split library scenario where the media folder is placed on an external drive iTunes may silently reset the media folder if the external drive isn't ready when iTunes starts up, but if the whole library is there you get a cannot load library error which is easier to recover from and doesn't have unwanted side effects.

     

    tt2

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jun 13, 2015 12:02 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 9 (56,834 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 13, 2015 12:02 PM in response to turingtest2

    Thank you. Sorry for the confusion. I guess I had not dealt with the issue, since I have mine set to consolidate.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jun 13, 2015 12:04 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 10 (84,964 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 13, 2015 12:04 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    No worries.

     

    tt2