Like many iPod owners, I was frustrated with the inability to move my music library. I have about 3,800 songs in my collection; most of them MP3s I ripped from my CDs. Every once in a while, I need to move them. Last time, a vicious virus wiped out my computer. I have back-ups, but iTunes did not know that I lost my files.
I have a cumbersome way to move play lists. I manually edited them to reflect the new location then re-import them one by one.
This time, my C drive is full (yes, I am a PC user). So I bought myself a bigger disk, put it in as a second drive, and started to move files onto the new D drive, except for my music. Cursed iTunes to be overly protective on digital rights.
Then, I found the magic shift key.
- Locate the directory that holds the file iTunes Library.itl Copy this whole directory to the new location.
- Copy all your music files to somewhere in the new location.
- Bring up iTunes while holding the SHIFT key. iTunes will ask you to choose a library. Point it to the newly copied iTunes Library.itl file.
- Select from the menu Edit->Preference and choose the Advanced tab. Click Change to select the new home of your music.
Hours I spent editing XML file by hand and Apple has put all this in the simple SHIFT key. I am actually upset. Apple knew that users need this feature. They tarnished their reputation by making this task not intuitive, not friendly, and actually hidden. I am sure it is from the DRM concern. Sigh, how much RIAA has made my life less enjoyable.