OLD HOME MOVIES GONE!

Thanks Chris.

I've had a quick look to make sure that behaviour is as I would expect. In both Windows and OS X if I add a random video file into iTunes it is absorbed into the Movies>Home Videos section of the library, and the file ends up in <iTunes Media Folder>\Home Videos.

Apple keep hiding things during updates. The Home Videos section I'm referring to isn't enabled from the view menu. You have to discover the hidden control which is used to edit the section list of each media source like this:

tt2

First, I sympathize with you - I can understand your frustration. I would hate to lose my home movies. Perhaps this excellent article from turingtest2 will help:

Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash

Hmm, iTunes shouldn't delete any content unless you tell it to. A corrupted library won't list what was in it before, but it won't remove media files from the hard drive. Ideally you would have a backup of your library from which you could restore anything deleted in error. If upgrading iTunes has caused media to be deleted you should report this to Apple via iTunes feedback.

What were the steps leading up to this? Did you move the library from one computer to another or reimport the media, or did you simply upgrade from the previous build?

tt2

See Make a split library portable for general advice on storing iTunes libraries on an external drive. Starting iTunes when the external isn't ready causes the media folder location to revert to the default path on the internal drive. If you store the database on the external too then if it isn't ready iTunes cannot open the library at all. You can then cancel, start the drive, reopen iTunes, and no preferences will be reset. Having everything on the external drive also makes it easier to backup the library as a unit and have the backup ready to be used as a standalone library if required.

If you used the Automatically Add to iTunes folder to add media to the library at some point check inside for a Not Added folder and see what is inside that.

tt2

The Home Videos section of the library may currently be hidden. To access it go to the Movies section, enable the sidebar, then click the word Edit that should appear to the right of the word Library at the top of the sidebar if you move the cursor there. Put a tick next to Home Videos, then click Done. Finally select Home Videos in the sidebar to see what is inside.

tt2

So, to be clear, you've enabled the Home Movies section of the iTunes library, but there is nothing listed in it, yet there was previously? If you look inside the iTunes Media folder, typically C:\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media, you should find there is a Home Videos folder and the files you're looking for should be inside it. If so then we're looking at typical case of library corruption during upgrade the link that javaliga posted should be just what you need. Ignoring all of the additional information regarding special cases the recovery process is really simple, make a copy of one file in a different folder, then rename two files. Try it and see.

tt2

Another common reason for preferences not sticking is interference from anti-virus software when iTunes updates the iTunesPrefs.xml file in C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes.

tt2

I'm only passing on what I've found out either personally or through conversations with others. McAfee for one has been noted for this at various times. FWIW what iTunes does when updating files is to write out a new temporary version, delete the original, and then rename the temporary file to replace it. Presumably the AV software blocks one of these actions, iTunes doesn't check or issue an error, but subsequently iTunes will start without a valid preference file so options are set back to default.

tt2

tt2,

FYI, when I check my latest version of iTunes after reading this thread, I notice some changes. I didn't have any of my home movies synced to my devices, but I had several loaded into my iTunes Library. I've also got my iTunes set to keep my files organized.

When I look where you indicated for a folder called Home Movies, that does exist in my iTunes library, however it is empty. I also do not have the option to select Home Movies in the View area of iTunes. I went to my iTunes folder and found my movies in the Movies folder, but it has been a while since I kept any home video on the devices that I could not be sure if anything else is missing there. I do see the 2 or 3 that I remember.

This may not help the OP, but they could check further in the iTunes folder to see if there is a folder titled Movies. It contained the Movies I got from iTunes, as well as the few home videos I had in my library. I haven't tested what would happen if I moved or copied them into the folder titled Home Movies. I'll try that in a bit, but I'm late to leave for an appointment.

Is this done when a device is connected to iTunes? I cannot seem to get that view you have, but I see you have a device attached. That could be my problem. I'll try later. The computer I do all of the work with my devices is upstairs, and I'm downstairs using my laptop here, and I'm working on grades and other schoolwork now. I'll check later and report back.

No, the device isn't important, I'm only looking at what is in the library with the sidebar is enabled. The device just happened to be connected when I made the gif. This is iTunes 12.5.1 btw, but those hidden menu options have been around for a few builds now. Audiobooks is another section that is initially hidden.

tt2