How do I remove duplicate songs in iTunes and determine the correct file location?

e.g D:\johnm\music\Artist name.....and D:\johnm\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music\ Artist name. How do I get rid of the duplicates and which is the right file location


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Windows, Windows 11 (22631)

Posted on Mar 5, 2025 04:12 AM

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3 replies

Mar 5, 2025 05:06 AM in response to GBC1954

See Duplicate songs in iTunes - Apple Community. If you are using iTunes then the second path would normally be the one you would want to keep. Tracks in the higher level folder may have been added to iTunes while the Copy files... option was enabled. This would make copies of any files added from outside of the designated media folder, after which iTunes pays no attention to the originals of those tracks. Are these duplicates visible in iTunes, or only when inspecting folders on the drive? The user tip is focused on cleaning duplicates that show in the iTunes library.


tt2

Mar 5, 2025 06:32 AM in response to GBC1954

See my user tip that I linked to above. I have a script that can automate the process of deciding which of each group of duplicates to keep, and merges ratings, play counts, playlist membership, etc. to the retained tracks before removing the duplicates.


Once you have deduplicated you can consolidate the library (File > Library > Organize Library > Consolidate Files) to copy in any items that are currently connected from outside of the media folder, then remove the originals that are outside the media folder manually to reclaim the space. Or use another script called ConsolidateByMoving.


tt2

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How do I remove duplicate songs in iTunes and determine the correct file location?

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