Not many iTunes users know that it is possible to use multiple iTunes libraries on the same computer system. There is virtually no information about running multiple iTunes libraries once iTunes has been started. Before we explain how to setup multiple iTunes libraries we should analyze why someone would want to work with several iTunes libraries instead of just one.
The main reason to use multiple iTunes libraries would be to divide specific data into different libraries. This can be dividing losless and lossy music, libraries for specific occasions, specific music genres or types like bootlegs or live music only.
It is actually very easy to create a second iTunes library. All that needs to be done is to press the Shift key (Alt on Macs) before launching iTunes. A small popup window will be displayed asking the user to choose or create a library.
Selecting the create a library option will create a new iTunes library that acts independently of all other iTunes libraries. It should also be noted that iTunes will always open the library that has been used the last time iTunes was executed. Switching libraries would again require pressing the Shift key during launch.
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Hmmm…if my wife and I want to maintain separate libraries…but we each want “The Fray” in our respective libraries…will iTunes create duplicate copies of that album, or just tie that single album to both libraries?
Thanks for the tip! I have a question though: do these libraries have their own settings, with wich I mean: can one give 2 libraries a different location?
I’m running out of hard disk space on my 110GB macbook, and was thinking of using a external HD for my iTunes library. But since I use my external HD for backups, I don’t want to carry it around all the time with the risk of losing it.
Another means to do this, which I’ve used for years, is Libra (http://homepage.mac.com/sroy/libra/)
is there a command line switch to launch iTunes with this dialog every time? that would be much more convenient than using the Shift key.
i would like to set up multiple libraries for me and my wife on our media PC since we don’t like the same music…
@ marcus – iTunes will only create duplicates of your music if you have the preference to copy music to your iTunes folder when adding to your library set. if you don’t have this set, iTunes will just associate your music with your library and not move it at all.
i did that and i lost my other itunes library with all the music in it and i cant get it back can you help
did you try using the SHIFT thing to go back to your original library tomzy? You probably didnt lose it, i know this is late though.
Just did the same and am afraid I lost my original library too. On a Mac, where does iTunes usually store the library file?
Never mind, just found out you just have to navigate to the folder containing your original *.xml file and you’re good.
What it doesn’t do though is to create different preference files, prefs changed in one library will carry over to the other one.
RE:…It is actually very easy to create a second iTunes library. All that needs to be done is to press the Shift key (Alt on Macs) before launching iTunes. A small popup window will be displayed asking the user to choose or create a library.
Followed the easy steps.
created new library.
LOST ORIGINAL
Shift + itunes doesn’t offer a choice
only directs to “new” (and empty) library !
help
This was a very useful tip! Thanks for the info.
It’s pretty common to have multiple iTunes libraries scattered across different machines, and it’s a real pain to keep them in sync!
We created Echodio to solve this exact problem – it works with iTunes to sync your music, ratings and playcounts across all your machines!
It also backs up your library to the cloud, and lets you stream music to your Boxee setup.
Give our beta a try and let us know what you think! You can get started at http://www.echodio.com
Thanks,
Niall
I have a laptop and a desktop. i created an itunes library on my laptop first and now i’ve done the same with my desktop. the problem is that itunes says i cannot have two seperate librairies and I cannot sync the songs I bought on my desktop to my ipod. To add to this, when i try to log on to the itunes store now, it freezes.
I tried to remove itunes from m laptop but, that didn’t work. Help please!
Pault,
You should be using iTunes 9 – if so, activate Home Sharing which allows you to share iTunes music between the computers on your local (home) network. You can then copy the music files between computers. Also, make sure you “Authorize” each computer to play songs you’ve purchased (you can authorize up to five computers). Since it sounds like you purchased the songs on your laptop, then you will need to authorize your desktop to play any songs purchased under your iTunes account.
Not sure about the iTunes freezing part – haven’t had that happen yet.
Hope this helps!
I have a laptop with iTunes installed. How can I use just one i-Tunes installation for two different people/i-Pods (myself and my son)?
The iPods have different storage capacities, and we are not interested in the same music.
It doesn’t work for me, I’m using Itunes 9 on Windows 7. Any other options?
I made another library for all my holiday music (I got tired of avoiding it in my everyday music library) but now all the information about the songs (date downloaded, playlists) are missing – can I get those back?
This is doable. The shift-open trick happens to work for me (itunes 9 w/ Vista), but there would be a work-around. If you have Win 7, you might try creating a new shortcut for iTunes, then try the Shift-open on that new shortcut. If that doesn’t work, take this route:
Basically, you’d be creating a batch file that would swap the active itunes library between two different versions, then it would open itunes. Each time you open itunes, it would be the other library. This has it’s down-side, but eliminates the possibility that changes made to library get over-written. If someone out there knows vb scripting, it might be cleaner in vb.
1. Close itunes
2. Locate the drive location of your itunes library files. We’ll assume that this is the pc library, not the ipod library.
3. Note this drive location, let’s say it’s “c:\my music\itunes\”
4. create two sub-directories to that directory. Name one “cache”, and the other “standbyLibrary”
5. We need to create a new ipod library. Move all of the files (not any of the sub-directories) from this itunes directory to your newly-created “standbyLibrary” directory.
(An alternate solution would be to copy (not move) the library files, then use itunes to wipe out the files from the itunes library that you don’t want on your ipod, but you risk sending files to the recycle bin for keeps, so choose your own path. The this alternate solution would, however, retain any music ratings, play counts, playlists, itunes accounts, etc.)
6. Open itunes, use “add file to library”, to add one file. Don’t bother to manage this library at this time. This will just give your ipod library something to start with.
7. CLOSE ITUNES
8. Right-click on your desktop, pick “New”, then “Text Document”
9. Open your new text document, copy and paste the text below. It assumes that your itunes program is in “c:\program files\itunes”. If you choose to type in the text below, you may mistake a line change for a carriage return, and it won’t work, so COPY AND PASTE!
move “D:\My Music\iTunes\*.itl” “D:\My Music\iTunes\cache\”
move “D:\My Music\iTunes\*.itb” “D:\My Music\iTunes\cache\”
move “D:\My Music\iTunes\*.xml” “D:\My Music\iTunes\cache\”
move “D:\My Music\iTunes\standbyLibrary\*.*” “D:\My Music\iTunes\”
move “D:\My Music\iTunes\cache\*.*” “D:\My Music\iTunes\standbyLibrary”
“c:\programs\itunes\itunes.exe”
STOP HERE (do not copy this line) Be sure to hit “enter” after the last line above.
10. Close your text file, saving the changes.
11. Re-name your text file, let’s go with “iTunes Swap”.
12. Change the file type from .txt to .bat, you’ll have to be able to see the file extension to do so. Some people like to see file extensions, (like me), some folks seem to prefer to hide the extensions. You’ll have to change your preferences in Windows Explorer to NOT hide the extensions of known file types.
When you change the extension to .bat, you’ll get a warning from windows, just click “Yes”. You’ll still be able to tweak the file later by right-clicking, and picking “edit”.
13. Now, just double-click on your new “itunes swap” file, and you’ll see itunes open with your original library. Close itunes. Double-click on your file again, and ta da! You’re running on your ipod library. Each time you open itunes, you’ll open the alternate library. BE SURE TO CLOSE ITUNES BEFORE RUNNING YOUR NEW FILE! There’s no telling how corrupt your library will become. It’s still a good idea to make periodic backups, should you accidentally run the file with itunes already open. The batch file command window stays open while itunes is open, but it will automatically close after itunes is closed. You could always eliminate the last line in the batch file (keep a carriage return after the last line of text).
If you consistently use the same library, just open itunes in the typical manner, no need to swap the library each time. I’ve noticed that itunes opens MUCH faster when using this batch file. It’s always frustrated me that itunes takes so long to open.
I made a typo in the script. I used “d:\my music\itunes” as the itunes location, but used “C” in step #3. Basically, you’re going to enter the path to your itunes directory here. Substitute the path that I list with your actual path. If you don’t get it right, no harm will come, but the result won’t be what you’d expect.
As another soultion, here is another possibility that other folks have recommended.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/itlswitch/