Copying music files from iTunes playlists to iMac desktop folder

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Copying music files from iTunes playlists to iMac desktop folder

Hello, there. I have a 2013 iMac with 30 music playlists in my iTunes library. I would like to copy them to a desktop folder in my iMac with the name PLAYLISTS containing 30 subfolders, one for each playlist. Each subfolder/playlist would contain the actual music files (this means the "explore playlist" routine in iTunes probably won't work). I did it once, but somehow I cannot make this work anymore. Can anyone please help me? It would be much appreciated. Many thanks for everyone's time and attention. Luciano

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013), iOS 9.3.5

Posted on Sep 3, 2016 5:48 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 3, 2016 5:54 PM in response to neo-breakz

I know dragging tracks from iTunes to an external drive copies the files to the drive. I do not let iTunes manage my media, plus I use iTunes 7.5 so I don't know what will happen if you do the same to a folder actually on the computer. If you let iTunes manage your media it is possible that will do the same for you. I'd try it with one track then see if the original is still in the iTunes folder. If it is then set up your folders and drag your playlists to them.

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Answer 2

neo-breakz Author

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Sep 3, 2016 6:35 PM in response to Limnos

Many thanks for your reply, but I have tried dragging (1) the files within the playlists and (2) the playlists individually, yet it does not work.

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Answer 3

Sep 3, 2016 9:02 PM in response to neo-breakz

How about holding down modifier keys while dragging? Command, option?

I use various scripts for doing things similar to what you are doing but not exactly that.

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Answer 4

neo-breakz Author

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Sep 4, 2016 6:02 AM in response to Limnos

Thanks, Limnos, but it does not work: I tried dragging and dropping while pressing COMMAND, ****, OPTION, CONTROL and various combinations thereof, yet nothing happens.

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Answer 5

Sep 4, 2016 8:32 AM in response to neo-breakz

I don't know then, sorry. It may be something with a newer iTunes version. I just dragged a track from a playlist to the desktop. A copy of the file was put on my desktop but the original is still in its old folder. Unless somebody else can point out something obvious you may need to use a script. This one does not do what you want but it does something similar: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5894657?answerId=25138577022#25138577022

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