Forming an iTunes library means grouping the music stored on your computer into the iTunes folder. This means that iTunes can directly access every song on your computer. On Mac computers, this consolidation will be done automatically. On computers with other operating systems, all this must be done manually. This article will show you how to perform such a consolidation. Some of the steps may vary slightly depending on your version of iTunes and your computer's operating system.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Preparing for Consolidation
Step 1. Open the main iTunes dropdown menus from your dock menu or menu bar
Step 2. Select "Settings"
Step 3. In the "Settings" menu go to the "Advanced" tab
Step 4. Select the options “Keep iTunes Music Folder Organized” and “Copy Files to iTunes”
Check each box.
Method 2 of 2: Consolidating iTunes Library
Step 1. From the drop-down menu, click the "File" button
Step 2. Click the "Library" button
Step 3. Select "Organize Library"
Advice
- Referring to the images in Part 2 of this article ("Consolidating iTunes Library" is not visible here) - Click on "Show Menu" to display a more complete menu bar of your iTunes. Then click File -> Library -> Organize Library.
- If the "Copy Files to iTunes" option was already selected in the "Advanced" menu, then most likely your iTunes library has already been created.
- Consolidating your iTunes library before transferring your library from one computer to another would be a good solution. This is not a strictly necessary step, but you won't miss anything.
- The library interface simply displays the iTunes media - music or video - on your computer. Just clicking on a file from the iTunes library does not mean that it is available in the iTunes folder, only after you consolidate the iTunes library will you be able to open the file.
- In iTunes 10.2.1, to consolidate, go to File> Library> Organize Library> Consolidation.
- When you consolidate your iTunes library, the files will be copied to your iTunes library, the originals will not be moved. This is an advantage because you can always access your files from their old location. But if you do not have free disk space, then it may be better to delete the old copy of the file and use only the files from the library.
- In some versions of iTunes, you can find the Consolidate Library command in the iTunes Advanced menu.