You can copy or move the library files (the 5 files listed at the bottom of the image above together with the Album Artwork and Previous iTunes Libraries folders) to a new location, then connect to them there with d.This is what we want in a "portable" library but if it happens when it isn't wanted you can reset the media folder to the correct path which should repair any broken links in the library. In some cases having chosen an alternate set of library files will automatically change the path to the media folder. If you don't get a prompt to choose or create a library close iTunes and try again holding the key down until the prompt appears. You can connect to an alternate set of library files by holding down Shift (Win) or Option (Mac) when starting iTunes then using the option to choose a library.This option may be available even if all media is already consolidated. You can consolidate any media stored outside of the media folder using File > Library > Organize Library.This option is not available if the library is already in the new layout. You can switch the library from the old layout to the new one using File > Library > Organize Library.Connect to the library in the new location with step d. You can move the library files and the media together as a unit if the media folder is a direct subfolder of the library folder, the library is in the "new" layout, and if all media is consolidated, i.e.The basic non-fatal manipulations of an iTunes library are: Which depends on the starting conditions. In each case only a subset of these operations are likely to be required. See Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy for a suggested strategy (Windows only, but similar tools exist for OS X). Backup the current state of the library, or at the very least, the iTunes l file, before you start. You can rearrange things to make a split library portable by taking a number of small steps which don't break the library. More recently Ringtones was renamed as Tones. The principle difference between the new layout, once referred to as "iTunes Media Organization", and the old one is that iPod Games, Mobile Applications and Ringtones have been moved inside the media folder instead of being in the library folder, and artist folders have been moved down a level into \Music. there are no items stored outside of the media folder), the library is considered to be portable. In the layout above right, with the media folder (everything in the red box) directly inside the library folder, in the "new" layout, and with all media consolidated (i.e. Here are the typical layouts for the iTunes folders: If you backup a portable library by cloning the library folder to another drive then, should the source copy fail, you can start using the library on the backup device immediately. You can even move a portable library between Mac and Windows machines. No preferences will have been changed.Ī "portable" library can be moved from one path or computer to another without breaking the links between the library and the media, and being self-contained is much easier to backup. At this point you can cancel, connect the drive and then start iTunes as normal. When a library has been relocated in this fashion if you should start iTunes with the host drive offline, iTunes will complain that it can't find the library and ask you to choose or create one. Rather than splitting the library seasoned iTunes users will move the entire working library to a new location and then connect to it there. Split libraries are usually created when a user runs out out room on the source drive and reads advice to move their media to a new media folder on an external drive. iTunes will continue to use the default media folder for all new content until you change the location again via preferences, and then you need to remember to consolidate the media that is stored in the wrong location, and clean up any originals left in the wrong place. iTunes will silently reset its media folder to the default path, a folder called iTunes Media in the library folder, and won't be able to access your media until you connect the drive and restart iTunes. There are also unwanted side effects with a split library if iTunes is ever started up while the drive holding the media folder is offline, or Windows assigns that drive a different drive letter for some reason. Once a library has been split like this it becomes harder to move the library to a new path or computer without breaking the connection between the library and the media files. The aim of this tip is help you get a split library into a portable form, or convince you not to split up the library in the first place.Ī "split" iTunes library is one where the active library file is stored in one place, typically the iTunes folder inside your user's Music folder, while the content has been stored somewhere else like an external drive.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |