Problem with importing files to ITunes

Question

Problem with importing files to ITunes

I have had an issue with my laptop and as a result iTunes got deleted. I have downloaded my purchases no problem, but all my other music from an external hard drive . I have imported the folders and are now all on my iTunes library but will only play with the hard drive plug in. If I remove the hard drive it says unable to locate file? .

I saw one post that suggested consolidating your library , but that hasn’t worked.

Not sure if this helps or not ?

song 1 plays with hard drive in

copy song 1 to a file

delete song 1 from library

copy song 1 from file to library and now song plays with out hard drive, but I don’t want to have to do this 7000 times as it won’t let me copy as a group only individualy

Any ideas ?

Windows 10

Posted on Nov 29, 2018 11:19 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Nov 30, 2018 5:54 PM in response to phillipfrommaidenhead

Hi phillipfrommaidenhead,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. It sounds like you’re having trouble with your music and iTunes. I’m happy to provide some steps that might help.

I suggest following the steps in the article below. More specifically, you may want to try the steps under the section labeled “Copy items to your iTunes folder when you add them to your iTunes library”:

Change where your iTunes files are stored on PC - Apple Support

Take care.

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Dec 2, 2018 7:36 AM in response to phillipfrommaidenhead

See Make a split library portable for some background on library organization. Currently you have unconsolidated media on your external drive which only works while it is connected. Start iTunes when it is already connected, otherwise it may treat the tracks on it as missing in action. Make sure that the media folder referenced under Edit > Preferences > Advanced is on your internal drive, then use File > Library > Organize Library > Consolidate Files, to tell iTunes to make local copies of the content on the external.

See Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy to make a backup of your organized library.

tt2

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Problem with importing files to ITunes

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