How to Consolidate All My Files Into One in iTunes

by Will Conley
Does your hard disk look like this? Consolidate scattered media files in the iTunes Media folder.

Does your hard disk look like this? Consolidate scattered media files in the iTunes Media folder.

Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images

ITunes is a media management application for Mac and Windows. The application can import, play, display, copy and reformat all types of media files--including audio, video, images, e-books and iPod apps. ITunes can even consolidate all of these files into one folder quickly and completely, making them easy to find and a breeze to transfer between machines and devices. It does so by making copies of media files on your hard drive and placing the copies into the "iTunes Media" folder, which is located in your Music folder by default.

Step 1

Open iTunes, then click "File" and select "Add to Library" if you are on a Mac, or "Add Folder to Library" if you are on a Windows computer.

Step 2

Select the folder containing the files you would like to import into iTunes and click "Select Folder." To add all media files on your hard disk to iTunes, select the folder containing the entire hard disk.

Step 3

Wait as iTunes searches for media files, reads their properties, and organizes their identifying characteristics in your iTunes Library. Importing does not make copies of your media files; it merely indexes them. The importing process will be complete when the progress bar above the main window in iTunes is replaced with the Apple logo.

Step 4

Click "File," select "Library" and click "Organize Library."

Step 5

Check the box next to "Consolidate files" and click "OK." ITunes will now copy all media files that are indexed in your iTunes Library and place them in your iTunes Media folder.

Tip

  • You can set iTunes to automatically consolidate files imported into the iTunes Library in the future to the iTunes Media folder. Click "Edit," select "Preferences" and check the box next to "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library."

Warning

  • Consolidating all your media files into one in iTunes may require considerable hard disk space, as the process makes copies of media files and places the copies into the iTunes Media folder. Essentially, your total media storage cost may double.

About the Author

Will Conley's writing has appeared in a variety of print publications since 1999, including "National Journal," "Art New England," "Pulse of the Twin Cities" and "Minnesota Daily." He has also contributed to websites such as Salon.com and ThisBlogRules.com. Conley studied journalism at the University of Minnesota.

Photo Credits

  • Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images