danielnrg wrote:
Is there an option for the iTunes Media folder in Windows Explorer to sort by album title, instead of artist?
I can't see how that could work since the album folders should be in a sub-folder of the artist and you can only sort files in a sub-folder by looking inside that folder. The exception to this is compilation albums (with various artists), which should all be in a separate Compilations folder, by album title. However, do not be tempted to use this as a way of achieving what you want because it will not work, and will certainly cause problems.
I've been trying to understand what you've done so far:
I have for a long time checked the "copy imported files to iTunes Media folder" option, mostly because it means I can move/rename files within Windows' File Explorer without iTunes losing track of my iTunes library, and having to "find" it before they can be played again.
By copying the files into the iTunes Media Folder, you've created a second copy of each file, leaving the original file where it was. Note though, that the option states "copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library", which I assume means that any moves or renaming that you've made to file names must be to the original copy, and (I may be wrong) but those changes have not been made to the copy in the iTunes Media folder since the files have already been added to the library. If they had changed the second copy, then once again, iTunes would lose track of where the file is located:
If you move or rename a file, folder or path to a file after it has been added to your iTunes library, iTunes will lose track of it. There's a golden rule: do not use Windows Explorer to move, rename or delete a file that has been added to an iTunes library. If you really need to do anything like that, you should do so before adding the files to the library. Specifically, if a file isn't in the correct place (more on that in a moment), put it in the correct place before adding to iTunes. Then you wouldn't need to go through having to re-associate tracks with entries in the library.
One question that obviously arises is what constitutes the correct place? The answer depends on where the files came from originally:
- if you copy from a CD into iTunes, then iTunes will put the files where it wants, based on the artist name, then the album title, thereby keeping all albums by one artist in the same same folder. in order for that to work correctly, the trick is to correct any errors with spelling, credits, etc. in the iTunes Import CD window before importing the CD. Compilation albums from CD can end up in the wrong place until you understand what information should be checked and corrected in the Import CD window prior to importing (we can discuss that if you wish)
- if you buy music from the iTunes Store, then iTunes will put the files in folders based on the same structure above
- If you buy music from other sources, such as Amazon and Bandcamp, then you can decide where to put the files and then add that location to the library. Personally, I put those purchases in a separate folder, named by the source I got it from: i.e Amazon/<Artist name>/<Album title>/<song title>. That way, if I lose the files, I know which store to go back to to re-download them
Your choice on how to view the songs, albums and artists is up to you (it always has been), but it really is better to let iTunes manage to the location of the source files. It is an easy task to change any view in your library from one sort method to another, as it is on your iPhone.
You can check on what I'm advising by looking for those original files. Do you have two copies of each file? If the answer is yes, then it is as I've advised. But if the answer is no, it's difficult to understand why iTunes is not losing track of files after you rename or move them.
