How to Tweak iTunes library using Vista or Higher
Before we get started read this very carefully
This guide assumes you are at least semi efficient with computers. FAIR WARNING, symbolic links can get you in trouble if you are not careful. If you decide to venture away from my simple script take care not to make a loop of symbolic links or your AV and/or Backup software will run an endless loop. In other words, don't create a symbolic link that refers back to the parent folder the symbolic link is in.
This guide assumes you are using the default library location
This guide also assumes you have upgraded to the new iTunes Library to the new format and have iTunes manage your files. The menu location for the upgrade is under Library Org.
Have you ever wanted to add to iTunes library automatically? Well now you can in iTunes 9 thanks to help finally adding a monitored folder. This folder can be found inside the default location of your iTunes Library.
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Now you may have noticed that this folder is burred way down in your Music folder. While it is true you just drop a shortcut on your desktop anywhere else to ease access, programs will not be able to make use of these shortcuts.
This guide will walk you through on making what is called Symbolic Links. The only requirement is that you have Windows Vista or newer as well as administrator rights. These Symbolic links are the much toted new virtual folder feature in windows 7. The good news Vista already has them, the bad news is you don't have a GUI interface to make them easily. I've already taken care of that for you by including a batch script you can that will create default symbolic link locations for you if you will.
Open command prompt with administrator rights. This can be achieved by easily by opening the search box on the start menu and typing cmd and either right click on Command prompt on the search results above and selecting run as administrator or hold left ctrl + left **** + enter.
Paste the following line into the command prompt and Hit Enter.
You know have a Symbolic Link on your desktop that you can drop files in to add to the library and your programs can access as well.
Nerd Notes on the command you ran
MKLINK is the command.
/D tells it to make a symbolic directory. Files is the default if you don't have this.
"%userprofile%\Desktop\Add to iTunes" is the link name and location use quotes for spaces
"%userprofile%\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Automatically Add to iTunes" is the target of the link. Use the quotes for spaces.
Using this you can create symbolic links anywhere you or a program can drop files to automatically add to the itunes library.
Bonus Commands
This will create a Symbolic link in your profiles video folder to iTunes TV Shows.
This will create a Symbolic link in your profiles video folder to iTunes Movies
Before we get started read this very carefully
This guide assumes you are at least semi efficient with computers. FAIR WARNING, symbolic links can get you in trouble if you are not careful. If you decide to venture away from my simple script take care not to make a loop of symbolic links or your AV and/or Backup software will run an endless loop. In other words, don't create a symbolic link that refers back to the parent folder the symbolic link is in.
This guide assumes you are using the default library location
This guide also assumes you have upgraded to the new iTunes Library to the new format and have iTunes manage your files. The menu location for the upgrade is under Library Org.
Have you ever wanted to add to iTunes library automatically? Well now you can in iTunes 9 thanks to help finally adding a monitored folder. This folder can be found inside the default location of your iTunes Library.
Now you may have noticed that this folder is burred way down in your Music folder. While it is true you just drop a shortcut on your desktop anywhere else to ease access, programs will not be able to make use of these shortcuts.
This guide will walk you through on making what is called Symbolic Links. The only requirement is that you have Windows Vista or newer as well as administrator rights. These Symbolic links are the much toted new virtual folder feature in windows 7. The good news Vista already has them, the bad news is you don't have a GUI interface to make them easily. I've already taken care of that for you by including a batch script you can that will create default symbolic link locations for you if you will.
Open command prompt with administrator rights. This can be achieved by easily by opening the search box on the start menu and typing cmd and either right click on Command prompt on the search results above and selecting run as administrator or hold left ctrl + left **** + enter.
Paste the following line into the command prompt and Hit Enter.
Code:
mklink /D "%userprofile%\Desktop\Add to iTunes" "%userprofile%\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Automatically Add to iTunes"You know have a Symbolic Link on your desktop that you can drop files in to add to the library and your programs can access as well.
Nerd Notes on the command you ran
MKLINK is the command.
/D tells it to make a symbolic directory. Files is the default if you don't have this.
"%userprofile%\Desktop\Add to iTunes" is the link name and location use quotes for spaces
"%userprofile%\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Automatically Add to iTunes" is the target of the link. Use the quotes for spaces.
Using this you can create symbolic links anywhere you or a program can drop files to automatically add to the itunes library.
Bonus Commands
This will create a Symbolic link in your profiles video folder to iTunes TV Shows.
Code:
mklink /D "%userprofile%\Videos\iTunes TV Shows" "%userprofile%\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\TV Shows"This will create a Symbolic link in your profiles video folder to iTunes Movies
Code:
mklink /D "%userprofile%\Videos\iTunes Movies" "%userprofile%\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Movies"