R.P.H
Level 1 (4 points)
iTunes

Q: [BUG] iTunes modifying files for no reason ?

Hi, I've just recently noticed that whenever I open the properties file of a track in my iTunes library it automatically "modifies" the file (i.e. it changes the modification date in the file properties). It definitely never used to do this, so I'm not sure if a recent update caused this problem.

 

The problem for me is that it is causing havoc with my backup software which uses the modification date of my files to back them up to an external HDD.

 

Just to be clear, even if nothing is modified in the iTunes properties dialog box and I click "cancel", it STILL updates the "date modified" property of the file.

 

Please, is there a fix for this ? Thanks

Posted on Oct 21, 2016 6:09 PM

by turingtest2,Solvedanswer
turingtest2 turingtest2
Level 10 (88,247 points)
Apple TV
A:

It is doing it for me too. I stepped through a few consecutive tracks in Get Info and the date modified values changed as I did so.

Use iTunes Feedback or Apple Bug Reporter.

 

tt2

Posted on Oct 21, 2016 6:35 PM

Close
R.P.H

Q: [BUG] iTunes modifying files for no reason ?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by turingtest2,Solvedanswer

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Oct 21, 2016 6:35 PM in response to R.P.H
    Level 10 (88,247 points)
    Apple TV
    Oct 21, 2016 6:35 PM in response to R.P.H

    It is doing it for me too. I stepped through a few consecutive tracks in Get Info and the date modified values changed as I did so.

    Use iTunes Feedback or Apple Bug Reporter.

     

    tt2

  • by R.P.H,

    R.P.H R.P.H Oct 21, 2016 7:13 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 21, 2016 7:13 PM in response to turingtest2

    Thanks for confirming...This should not be happening right ?

     

    I accidentally marked the question as solved on my phone...is there anyway I can remove it ?

     

    Thanks

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Oct 22, 2016 2:22 AM in response to R.P.H
    Level 10 (88,247 points)
    Apple TV
    Oct 22, 2016 2:22 AM in response to R.P.H

    No, it should not be happening. And no, you cannot undo a solved or helpful.

     

    It is also happening on the Mac version of iTunes 12.5.1.21.

     

    tt2

  • by R.P.H,

    R.P.H R.P.H Oct 22, 2016 4:13 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 22, 2016 4:13 AM in response to turingtest2

    Alright, I'll try the links you posted. I really hope they fix this for the sake of my backup software.

  • by turingtest2,Helpful

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Oct 22, 2016 5:53 AM in response to R.P.H
    Level 10 (88,247 points)
    Apple TV
    Oct 22, 2016 5:53 AM in response to R.P.H

    Likewise. I thought I'd spotted some unexpected overwrites with mine too but hadn't got around to investigating so thanks for the heads up.

     

    tt2

  • by R.P.H,

    R.P.H R.P.H Oct 22, 2016 6:59 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 22, 2016 6:59 AM in response to turingtest2

    I have also noticed that when I sync my ipod with iTunes, it modifies the "date modified" of my playlists in my library. Is this normal behaviour ?

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Oct 22, 2016 8:33 AM in response to R.P.H
    Level 10 (88,247 points)
    Apple TV
    Oct 22, 2016 8:33 AM in response to R.P.H

    Where are you seeing a date modified property for a playlist? Or do you mean that all synced tracks get their date modified values updated when you sync just as they do when you inspect them with Get Info?

     

    tt2

  • by R.P.H,

    R.P.H R.P.H Oct 22, 2016 9:15 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 22, 2016 9:15 AM in response to turingtest2

    Sorry it's because I exported the iTunes playlist to a .m3u file. Not sure why its modification date changed since it should have no affiliation to iTunes after its exported. Seems that for some reason Windows marks the playlist as "blocked" (from another source) a little while after the playlist has been exported and that of alters the modification date.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Oct 22, 2016 9:20 AM in response to R.P.H
    Level 10 (88,247 points)
    Apple TV
    Oct 22, 2016 9:20 AM in response to R.P.H

    Do you have any other software running that might be keeping an eye on your media or playlists? E.g. Plex or Last.FM. Certainly once iTunes has exported a .m3u file it should have no further interest in it (unless you import the folder where it lives to the library).

     

    tt2

  • by R.P.H,

    R.P.H R.P.H Oct 22, 2016 6:52 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 22, 2016 6:52 PM in response to turingtest2

    None, except for WMP and Groove music obviously. The playlist is in the managed iTunes music folder though.

     

    What's weird is why Windows marks the playlist as "blocked" (as if it came from the internet). It's been doing this for the past few months ever since one of the iTunes updates came out. It also seems that Windows doesn't mark it as "blocked" right away, hence why I think the playlist file got "modified" even though I didn't touch it and it just so happens was around the same time I synced my iPod. I'll have to check properly though.