How to update your iTunes library and remove old file references

Recently I had this problem with iTunes.   I moved all my music from a folder on my Desktop to inside My Documents. I had updated the Preferences section and iTunes decided to keep 2 copies of each file. One that worked and one that was a ghost entry.

So, I looked on instructions on how to update your itunes library and remove old file references. It took me an age and they were all very techie. So, I have tried to make a simple guide for the lay-man.

1. Exit iTunes
2. Backup your music if it is inside the iTunes folder (just in case)
3. Open the “iTunes Library.itl” file with something like NotePad or Wordpad. Select all text (Ctrl+A) and delete. Make sure this is completely empty. Mine was located here  C:\Documents and Settings\aland\My Documents\My Music\iTunes
4. Open the “iTunes Music Library.xml” with something like Notepad and do a global search and replace of your old location with your new location. E.g. Find “C:\Documents and Settings\ProfileName\Desktop\Adrian’s music” with “C:\Documents and Settings\ProfileName\My Documents\Adrian’s music”.
5. And Save the XML file with the same name in the same location.
6. Open iTunes. You will get a prompt that iTunes is rebuilding your library. It will take a while if you have a big archive. It will tell you that the library file is corrupt. Just follow the prompts and allow it to rebuild it all.
7. Use iTunes as before. It should of kept your ratings, last played etc. It did for me.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.

Tags: Apple, iPhone, iTunes