Why do I keep getting these files and how do I stop it?

It looks like you're adding content to the Music folder inside your user profile, and then adding it to iTunes, which is then making a copy inside <Media Folder>/Music/<Album Artist>/<Album>. Ideally you would add the media via the Automatically Add to iTunes folder or place it somewhere inside the media folder before you add it so that no duplicates are made.

Essentially the copies in the outer music folder are redundant originals since iTunes is connected to the files it has made inside the media folder.

tt2

See Make a split library portable. My recommendation is that you keep your library in the standard layout, or at the very least organize your media inside the media folder rather than outside of it. Avoids duplicates and makes it easier to backup the library.

tt2

Chris Milligan wrote:

What should my iTunes settings be so that these files stop being created in my iTunes folders?

What are the recommended iTunes settings that does not make duplicate copies of my songs?

Chris,

You can turn off the "Copy" option at Preferences, Advanced tab. Then new files will be added to your iTunes library without copying. As tt2 notes this is not necessarily a good long-term answer. However, if you really want the audio files to stay where they are, this is the way.

Nowadays, most people add new files by dragging to the "Automatically Add to iTunes" folder. You will end up with only a single copy, and it will be in your designated iTunes Media folder.

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2