{"id":5914,"date":"2008-07-21T09:22:27","date_gmt":"2008-07-21T07:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/how-to-move-your-itunes-library-on-an-external-drive\/"},"modified":"2025-07-02T02:29:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T09:29:08","slug":"how-to-move-your-itunes-library-on-an-external-drive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/how-to-move-your-itunes-library-on-an-external-drive\/","title":{"rendered":"How to move your iTunes library on an external drive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

iTunes is an incredible repository for music, movies, and TV shows across your Apple devices, but no device lasts forever. This is why it\u2019s always good to have a backup plan for when you inevitably get a new device or something happens to your current one. Moving your iTunes library<\/strong> between devices that run on Apple\u2019s software is super easy. <\/p>\n\n\n

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However, if you use iTunes on a Microsoft device, the process won\u2019t be quite as effortless. The article below will show you how to move your iTunes library to an external drive<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving your iTunes library on an external drive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a few steps involved in this process, so be sure to follow each one attentively. We\u2019re going to show you 4 main steps, namely:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Consolidate your iTunes library<\/li>
  • Find your iTunes media folder<\/li>
  • Backup your iTunes library and media folder<\/li>
  • Restore your iTunes library from a previous backup<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Now that you have a roadmap of your iTunes backup and restoration journey, let\u2019s get started.<\/p>\n\n\n

    1. How to consolidate your iTunes library<\/h2>\"How

      Consolidation, in this context, is just a fancy word for moving all of the files that iTunes uses<\/strong> to one folder. This way, you don\u2019t have to go hunting through your entire C: drive for files associated with iTunes. Here\u2019s how to do it:<\/span><\/p>\n

      Step 1: Open iTunes<\/span><\/h4>\n

      A lot of the steps involved with the process of moving your iTunes library<\/strong> happen within the file explorer utility. This first step, however, takes place directly in your iTunes for Windows app. Head to wherever your iTunes icon is on your computer, and click on it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Step 2: Organize iTunes<\/span><\/h4>\n

      Now, you\u2019ll need to organize your iTunes media<\/strong> folder. Don\u2019t stress though, the app will do the heavy lifting for you. All you need to do is head to the menu bar at the top of the iTunes interface and click on <\/span>File<\/b>. Next, you\u2019ll want to hit <\/span>Library <\/b>from the drop-down menu, and then click on <\/span>Organize Library<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Step 3: Consolidate iTunes<\/span><\/h4>\n

      You should see a new window open up with the heading <\/span>Organize Library<\/b>. Here, you\u2019ll see two available options, depending on the state of your iTunes library. Check the box next to the first option – <\/span>Consolidate files<\/b>. This will begin the process of moving every file associated with iTunes into one neat folder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Step 4: OK<\/span><\/h4>\n

      All you need to do now is hit <\/span>OK <\/b>and you\u2019re done!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Just to be clear, while the term used in this process is \u2018move\u2019, the app actually creates a copy<\/strong> of any file associated with iTunes that isn\u2019t in your iTunes media folder. Therefore, it\u2019s a good idea to go around your PC and delete the original versions of these outsider files once you know that the copies are safe and secure in the new consolidated folder. If you\u2019re not much of a fan of saving space, feel free to chuck this pearl of wisdom back into the ocean. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

    2. How to find your iTunes media folder<\/h2>\"How

      Not everyone knows their way around a Windows PC – especially the filing system<\/strong> outside of \u2018Desktop\u2019 or \u2018This PC.\u2019 If you\u2019ve ever messed around with mods or custom content for PC games, you\u2019ll know that while most games save a sub-folder to your Documents folder, the real treasure of the inner workings of the game are nestled in your User folder. iTunes also uses your <\/span>User <\/b>folder for storage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      By default, you should find your iTunes folder under <\/span>User > Music > iTunes > iTunes Media<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      If, for any reason, your iTunes media folder is not the above location, we\u2019ve got a way for you to track it down:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Step 1: Open iTunes<\/span><\/h4>\n

      Yip, you\u2019ll need to head back to the <\/span>iTunes app<\/b> for this one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Step 2: Preferences<\/span><\/h4>\n

      Preferences are all the rage right now. In this step you\u2019ll see what kind of preferences your iTunes app has. Head to the menu bar again, and click on <\/span>Edit<\/b>. Now, hit <\/span>Preferences <\/b>and then click on the <\/span>Advanced <\/b>tab.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Step 3: Location<\/span><\/h4>\n

      All you need to do now is look at the big block toward the top of the <\/span>Preferences <\/b>interface. You\u2019ll see a heading – <\/span>iTunes Media<\/b> folder location. Below that, you\u2019ll see the exact directory path to follow on your computer. On any default iTunes configuration, it should read something like:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      C:\\Users\\YourNameHere\\Music\\iTunes\\iTunes Media<\/span><\/p>\n

      Whatever your directory path says, if you follow it, you should find your iTunes Media folder. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

    3. How to backup your iTunes library and media folder<\/h2>\"How

      Once you\u2019ve consolidated all of your files<\/strong> associated with iTunes, you can back the folder up to an external drive of your choice – supposing it has enough space for all the music you listen to while living your best life. My music folder on my PC spans years, genres, and so many memories.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Step 1: Exit iTunes<\/span><\/h4>\n

      Sorry iTunes app, you\u2019ve outlived your usefulness<\/strong> for this guide. We\u2019re just going to go ahead and close you up really quick. Click the red <\/span>X <\/b>icon at the top right-hand side of the iTunes interface to close the app.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Step 2: Locate your iTunes folder<\/span><\/h4>\n

      Your iTunes Media folder and iTunes folder are two different folders in two different places. The one you\u2019re looking for now will be in<\/span> This PC > Music<\/b>. It\u2019s that simple to find. This folder will contain your entire iTunes discography.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Step 3: Move your iTunes folder<\/span><\/h4>\n

      This next step is as easy as hitting right-click and selecting <\/span>Copy<\/b>. All that\u2019s left is to head to your external drive of choice and then click <\/span>Paste<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

    4. How to restore your iTunes library from a previous backup<\/h2>\"How

      Once you\u2019ve got your iTunes library saved to an external drive<\/strong>, you can move it to any device. Just keep in mind that if you intend to restore your iTunes library on a different computer to that where it was first saved, you\u2019ll need to ensure that the new device has the latest version of iTunes. With that out of the way, let\u2019s head into how to restore your iTunes library.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Head to <\/span>This PC<\/b> and locate your external drive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Next, find the iTunes folder you moved to your external drive in the previous main step and right-click on it. Select <\/span>Copy<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Now, you\u2019ll need to go to the location on your computer where you\u2019d like to save your iTunes Library, and then right-click and hit <\/span>Paste<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Your next step is to hold down the <\/span>Shift key<\/b> while you open the iTunes app. You\u2019ll see a window pop up prompting you to choose your iTunes library. Click on<\/span> Choose Library<\/b>, and then select the<\/span> Library.itl<\/b> file associated with your itunes library.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Lastly, click <\/span>Open<\/b>, and your iTunes library will be restored. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ol><\/div>