How do I move an iTunes library?

[majordude]

I just bought a new external drive for my MBP. I want to move my iTunes library from my MBP HD to the external drive. How do I do that? Just drag all the files over to the new drive and hold "option" while starting up iTunes and pick the new folder?

Will that save all my artwork and stats (like how many times I've played something or my ratings)?

Thank you!

 

[TEG]

I just bought a new external drive for my MBP. I want to move my iTunes library from my MBP HD to the external drive. How do I do that? Just drag all the files over to the new drive and hold "option" while starting up iTunes and pick the new folder?

Will that save all my artwork and stats (like how many times I've played something or my ratings)?

Thank you!

You should just be able to specify the new library location in iTunes, then have iTunes compact the library. It should be able to move everythin en masse.

However, your idea also works. However, you could just copy the library file, point iTunes to it, then have it compact your library, that would do it all with out involving Finder.

All your information is stored in the iTunes Library.xml file in your library, so as long as you move it along with the rest of the library, then choose its containing folder for your new library location (it is the only way to save the stats, ratings, and playlists). All your metadata and artwork are stored in the files themselves.

TEG

 

[majordude]

You should just be able to specify the new library location in iTunes, then have iTunes compact library. It should be able to move everythin en masse.

Compact library? What dat?

 

[majordude]

Ah! It's "consolidate" library... not "compact". I'll try that.

 

[TEG]

I was at work, so I wasn't entirely sure what it was called.

TEG

 

[majordude]

I was at work, so I wasn't entirely sure what it was called.

Tsk, tsk. Surfing MacRumors at work? Shame!

 

[Mechcozmo]

Linkety to your answer.

 

[majordude]

Linkety to your answer.

Thanks. I am doing it the "consolidate" way. Pretty slow. We'll see how it goes. It has taken almost two hours over an 800 Firewire and there is still about 25% left to go! (Lossless is great -- IF you have a big enough disk!)

 

[skybolt]

Here's what Apple has to say:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301748