4RoLin
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Q: external drive music files now want to use itunes from external drive

So I have my music files in an external drive music files only (my old computer crashed bought a new one) Now I'm trying to use my music files with iTunes and use my external drive for the music. I don't want to use my PC due to storage size...

 

I've found many post on backing up iTunes to an external drive using an apple computer but all I have is files...

 

Any ideas?

iPhone 6s, iOS 9

Posted on Nov 15, 2015 7:02 PM

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4RoLin

Q: external drive music files now want to use itunes from external drive

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  • by sterling r,

    sterling r sterling r Nov 17, 2015 7:06 AM in response to 4RoLin
    Community Specialists
    Nov 17, 2015 7:06 AM in response to 4RoLin

    Hi there 4RoLin,

     

    It sounds like you have your music files on your external hard drive and want to use the external drive to store your iTunes library to save space on your internal hard drive of the computer. You can certainly do that. First create a new iTunes library on the external drive using these steps:

     

    Open a different iTunes Library file or create a new one

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201596

    Windows

    1. If iTunes is running, quit iTunes.
    2. Hold down the Shift key. Then, from the Start menu, choose All Programs > iTunes > iTunes.
    3. You'll see a message that says Choose iTunes Library. Depending on what you want to do, choose Choose Library or Create Library.

    If you don't see the message, try again. Remember to hold down the Option key if you're using a Mac or the Shift key if you're using Windows.

     

    Once that library is saved, it will open in iTunes. Then you will want to make sure that iTunes stores all the future content you import to that library on the external drive by changing the iTunes Media folder location setting in the iTunes preferences:

     

    1. Windows: Hold down the Control and B keys on your keyboard to open the iTunes menu bar, then choose Edit > Preferences. Learn more about menus in iTunes for Windows.
    2. Click the Advanced tab.

    From: Locate and organize your iTunes media files

                https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204668

     

    Then import your music to iTunes with the steps in this article to add them to your library:

     

     

    Import music and video from a computer into iTunes

    https://support.apple.com/kb/PH20507?locale=en_US

    • Drag a file or folder from the desktop to the iTunes window.
      If you add a folder, all the files it contains are added to your library.
    • In iTunes, choose File > Add to Library, locate a file or folder, and click Open.
      If your iTunes library is empty, click the Music icon in the top-left corner, click My Music, then click Scan for Media.

     

    Once the media has been imported you can confirm it by having a look in the iTunes library folder you created on the external drive by opening it in Windows Explorer and archive the media you imported to another drive, or delete it to save space.

     

    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.