“Hello guys. Is there any suggestions on moving iTunes library to external hard drive? I have to export my photos, videos and music in iTunes library, which take up huge storage space on my computer, to an external hard drive for more space. Thanks a million if someone could help me. By the way, I use a Windows computer.”
iTunes is a great tool to purchase and download wonderful songs, videos and apps, but the storage space on your computer is easily ran out by these files. Therefore, you need to transfer the iTunes library to external hard drive to free up space, and this post will display how to move iTunes library to external hard drive on Windows or Mac step by step.
Also in the Advanced Preferences windows, click Change. From the iTunes Media Folder Location windows, navigate to the new drive (Backup Plus for example). Select where you want to move your iTunes data then click OK.
Install iTunes on the new computer as well and go to its Music iTunes folder. Furthermore, copy the iTunes backup from the external hard drive and paste it to your new computer’s Music iTunes folder. After the backup is copied, launch iTunes on your system. If it is already open, then first close iTunes from running in the background. Dec 17, 2020 Connect your new external hard drive to the computer with your iTunes library on it and backup your iTunes library to the external hard drive. How long this takes will depend on the size of your library and the speed of your computer/external hard drive. You may need to Authenticate to make a copy of your iTunes folder; go ahead and do this.
Step 1: Locate and find iTunes library folder on your computer.
Move Itunes Library From External Hard Drive To New Ssd
To backup iTunes library to external hard drive, you need to find the iTunes library location in advance:
For Windows users:
- Tap on “Computer” > “C”.
- The detailed path differs according to different system:
Windows 10/8/7: UsersusernameMusic
Windows XP: Documents and SettingsusernameMy DocumentsMy Music
Windows Vista: UsersusernameMy Music
For Mac users:
- Please follow this path: “Home” > “Music” > “iTunes”.
What if the folder is not in the default location?
- Launch iTunes.
- Click “Edit” (Windows)/“iTunes” (Mac) on top of the iTunes screen, and then select “Preference” in the pull-down menu.
- Tap on “Advanced” and you will see the “iTunes Media folder location” on top of the new window.
Step 2: Consolidate your iTunes library.
To make sure everything in your iTunes library is stored in one place, you are suggested to consolidate the iTunes library before you copy iTunes library to external hard drive.
How To Move Itunes Library From External Hard Drive Back To Mac
- Run iTunes.
- Click “File” and then go to “Library”.
- Choose “Organize Library” in the pop-up window. Then tick “Consolidate files”. Finally, click “OK”.
Move Itunes Library From External Hard Drive To New One
Step 3: Move iTunes library to external hard drive.
Now you can start to transfer your iTunes library to the external hard drive:
- Close and quit iTunes on your computer.
- Connect your external hard drive to the computer, and wait until it is loaded up.
- Open the iTunes library folder, and drag it to the external hard drive.
After the transfer is completed, your iTunes library will be backed up on the external hard drive successfully. Then you can delete the iTunes files on your computer to save space.