Consolidating iTunes Libraries

· by · Tips

Not everyone has the luxury of nearly limitless storage space for their iTunes library, and even if you do, itis kind of tough to cart around terabytes of storage when your primary computer is a laptop. Thanks to iTunes 7is Consolidate Library feature, you can add music and videos to iTunes even when your music library hard drive isnit available.

Letis say, for example, you use a MacBook Pro, and your iTunes library lives on a large external hard drive that stays behind when you travel. While you are out and about, you add a new CD you just bought to your iTunes library. Now you have two libraries: One on the hard drive that stays on your desk, and another on your MacBook Prois built-in hard drive.

When you get back to your desk, hereis what to do:

  • Reconnect your iTunes library hard drive to your Mac.
  • Launch iTunes 7.
  • Choose Advanced > Consolidate Library.


Putting your iTunes libraries back together.

iTunes 7 will move the library from your MacBook Pro and add it to the library on your external hard drive.


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Jeff Gamet

Jeff Gamet

Jeff is the Mac Observer's Managing Editor, and co-host of the Apple Context Machine podcast. He is the author of "The Designer's Guide to Mac OS X" from Peachpit Press, and writes for several design-related publications. Jeff has presented at events such as Macworld Expo, the RSA Conference, and the Mac Computer Expo. In all his spare time, he also co-hosts the We Have Communicators podcast, and makes guest appearances on several other podcasts, too. Jeff dreams in HD.

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