How to add to iTunes from external HD without copying to internal HD?

[hierobryan]

All of my music is now on my external HD. When I add the music to iTunes it automatically copies everything to my internal HD. I don't want that.

How do I add to iTunes without copying to my internal HD?

 

[overanalyzer]

In iTunes preferences, go to the Advanced tab and unclick "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library". This will keep it from automatically copying the files to your internal drive.

 

[Nermal]

Preferences > Advanced > General and untick "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library".

Edit: How dare you!

 

[overanalyzer]

Preferences > Advanced > General and untick "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library".

Edit: How dare you!

Ooh, I beat a moderator to the punch Isn't it funny how a lot of us seem to compete on answering questions quickly?

 

[hierobryan]

duh...I should've known that one. Thanks.

 

[Lynnieram]

How long should it take?

I have about 300GB of music on my external drive. I deselected copy music to itunes folder in Preferences and then added the folder into the library. Its been "organizing" for almost 24 hours and still not finished. Is this right? I don't want to copy music into my internal drive, but keep it solely on the external HD.

 

[txr0ckabilly]

will itunes still try to organize an external folder if you have "keep organized" ticked?

 

[craig1410]

Note that you can also hold down the Option key when dragging media into iTunes and this will have the effect of reversing the above config option for that import only. I find this handy because I like to keep all my Music on my internal disk and my DVD rips are on my external drive. I keep my setting set to copy media to the iTunes folder but hold down the Option key when importing video from the external drive.

Hope this helps,
Craig.

 

[thecoleorton]

Is there a way automate this? Say add an alias of where your media resides on an external hard drive to your iTunes Media Folder > Movies (iTunes 9).

I'd rather not hold down apple+option when adding media from my external HD as I have some content I want to copy to my Internal HD (say music I purchase from amazonmp3.com) or completely uncheck "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library".

Now that I think about it - I could point my amazonmp3 downloader to the "Automatically add to iTunes" folder and uncheck "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library".

I'm still curious on aliasing my media folder on my external HD to my local iTunes Media Folder though too.

Thanks in advance. Cole

 

[sou1 so1di3r]

Note that you can also hold down the Option key when dragging media into iTunes and this will have the effect of reversing the above config option for that import only. I find this handy because I like to keep all my Music on my internal disk and my DVD rips are on my external drive. I keep my setting set to copy media to the iTunes folder but hold down the Option key when importing video from the external drive.

Hope this helps,
Craig.

YES, found my answer. Thanks Craig.

WOO STILL WORKS AFTER 8 YEARS

 

[craig1410]

YES, found my answer. Thanks Craig.

WOO STILL WORKS AFTER 8 YEARS