iTunes Duplicates of Same File

Adding a folder full of files to the library that is located outside of the media folder when the copy files to media folder option is selected will make duplicates. ITunes is doing exactly what is asked of It. File path usually acts as a primary key to prevent reimporting of tracks within the media folder although if if the media is on an external drive and unavailable when iTunes starts it is possible to add the same set of track, both copies of which can work next time iTunes runs, while there being only one physical copy of each file.

tt2

Options:

1. Restore the iTunes Library.itl file from Time Machine dated just before the trouble started.
2. See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash to restore a recent library if you don't have an active backup.
3. Use the display duplicates option, show same album, sort by date added, select the more recent imports, delete, don't send to trash. Hmm, if you're not getting that prompt this one would not be so wise.

tt2

Hi raerae,

Okay, so let's walk through this. You're looking at the iTunes window — not a playlist but a display of your entire library — and you see two identical listings for the same track. If you select them (one at a time) and Edit > Get Info (or type Command-I) and then go to the File tab, the file name and location of the two tracks are identical — yes?

Now you select one of them and hit the Delete key. What happens next? Error message?

The link I gave in option 2 should include some pointers on making the state of the library reflect the media folder, but in general File > Add Folder to Library > {Media Fodler} will add in any recent purchases, rips, downloads, etc. without causing duplicates. The original issue is typically caused if iTunes is launched when the media folder isn't ready, e.g. a disconnected external drive, and the drive is then connected and the media folder imported. iTunes doesn't do its usual job of recognizing which items are already connected to the database and imports them again.

tt2

Okay, just to pursue this point, if you go ahead and choose "Delete Song," do you get the second dialog, giving you the choice to either Keep File or Move to Trash?

Also, from what you've said, it sounds as though deleting the first of the pair of duplicates causes the other to vanish as well. At what point in the process does that happen — after the first dialog, or the second (if you get that one)?

sooooooo, funny thing. i edited the id3-tags of hundreds of my mp3-files. since itunes offers no options to re-scan them, i used "file" > "add folder to library" to re-add all music to itunes. now i have hundereds of duplicates of the same identical files. haha, funny!

if someone programs a database for music, and allows multiple entries for the same files, that shows the complete incompetence of apple software-developers. i am at a total loss here. how can a multi-billon-dollar-company produce such incompetent ****???!!! that is completely beyond me!!

Do you get any kind of warning or dialog box, like: "Are you sure you want to remove the selected song from your library?"