Moving music files on HD while retaining iTunes info...

lirandlirand
Posted:
in iPod + iTunes + AppleTV edited January 2014
Hey there!



I've got a question for advanced iTunes users... I hope you'll be able to help me...



Anyway:



I've got my iTunes library all sorted nicely with info and rating on every music file. The problem is that I want to move my music files from the current directory on my HD to a different directory. After attempting to move a specific file to a diffrent directory - I saw that the iTunes ratings of the file get erased.



So here's the question - How do I move all my music files to a different directory while retaining their ratings?



Thanks!

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    areseearesee Posts: 776member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by lirand

    So here's the question - How do I move all my music files to a different directory while retaining their ratings?



    Easy;

    1. Move the iTunes folder from your Movies folder to its new location.

    2. Place an Alias of the iTunes folder in your Movies folder.

    3. Rename the Alias "iTunes"

    4. I don't know if this is needed using the Alias method, but.... In the iTunes Advance Preferences, tell iTunes to store your music in the iTunes Music folder in its new location.



    Hope this helps.
  • Reply 2 of 6
    lirandlirand Posts: 174member
    Sorry but I didn't understand.



    What's an alias? And where's the part where the ratings are updated and stored on the new location?
  • Reply 3 of 6
    gregmightdothatgregmightdothat Posts: 1,709member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by aresee

    Easy;

    1. Move the iTunes folder from your Movies folder to its new location.

    2. Place an Alias of the iTunes folder in your Movies folder.

    3. Rename the Alias "iTunes"

    4. I don't know if this is needed using the Alias method, but.... In the iTunes Advance Preferences, tell iTunes to store your music in the iTunes Music folder in its new location.



    Hope this helps.



    That's not easy, that's a pain. For every file? C'mon.
  • Reply 4 of 6
    gregmightdothatgregmightdothat Posts: 1,709member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by lirand

    Sorry but I didn't understand.



    What's an alias? And where's the part where the ratings are updated and stored on the new location?



    Are you using a Mac or a PC?



    On Macs you should be able to just move the file.



    On PC's, you can't just move files because Window's file system is a bit behind the times. What you can do, if you don't mind iTunes organizing things for you, is within iTunes to change the directory of the library, and then choose "Consolidate Library" from the Advanced menu. You'll then have to delete your original songs. I know, it's a pain in the ass. Get a Mac



    (An alias, or a shortcut in Windows parlance, is a really tiny file that just points to another file. When you double click the alias, you open the real file.)
  • Reply 5 of 6
    lirandlirand Posts: 174member
    I'm using a PC and iTunes isn't currently organizing my music library..... what's your suggestion?
  • Reply 6 of 6
    areseearesee Posts: 776member
    Sorry Iirand. My method is for the Mac. I don't know how you would do it in the PC. You might look inside the iTunes folder (or whatever its called on the PC) and see if it has everything you need. On the Mac there are three items in the ITunes folder. An 'iTunes Library' file (kind-iTunes database file), an iTunes Music Library.xml file and an iTunes Music folder containing your music. All the Mac iTunes library information is located there and can be moved.



    I keep my iTunes library on an external drive. And when I transfered to a new iMac I just connected the drive to the new Mac and replaced the iTunes folder in my Home account with an alias (i.e. Shortcut) to the iTunes folder on the external drive. -- I do let iTunes manage my library for me. That may make things go easier.



    gregmightdothat, I didn't understand your "every file" comment. You don't make an alias for every file. You copy the complete folder to the external drive and make only one alias for the folder.
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