Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT
How do you add music to iTunes without music being copied into an iTunes Media folder or anywhere for that matter?
From what I have read the answer is to go into advanced settings and uncheck "Copy files to iTunes Media when adding to library." Which is great and that option is not checked off but iTunes continues to copy music into an iTunes Media folder...
Windows 7
Anything ripped from CD, converted, downloaded from the iTunes Store, or added via the Automatically Add to iTunes folder is going to end up in iTunes Media. If you're adding a folder of files stored outside of the media folder, and the option is turned off, then iTunes shouldn't be generating copies in the media folder. Can you describe a specific example where you can see the new arrival before and after import?
As an aside backup and migration of an iTunes library is much easier if all content is organized inside the iTunes Media folder, but that's no reason not to try and find out why things aren't behaving properly for you now.
tt2
Anything ripped from CD, converted, downloaded from the iTunes Store, or added via the Automatically Add to iTunes folder is going to end up in iTunes Media. If you're adding a folder of files stored outside of the media folder, and the option is turned off, then iTunes shouldn't be generating copies in the media folder. Can you describe a specific example where you can see the new arrival before and after import?
As an aside backup and migration of an iTunes library is much easier if all content is organized inside the iTunes Media folder, but that's no reason not to try and find out why things aren't behaving properly for you now.
tt2
In my search I missed the part about it iTunes saving converted files. So it was not copying files it was just saving them after being converted into Mp3. Thanks for your help.
You're welcome. 🙂
Take a quick look at Make a split library portable if you have the time/interest. Even if you don't need it now you might want to look at it again if/when the time comes to move your library to a new drive or computer.
tt2
How to Add Music to iTunes Without Copying Music Files
