What is the default iTunes Folder Structure for iTunes Version 12?
Windows, Windows 10
Here are the typical layouts for the iTunes folders:
Version 12 is much the same as the right-hand side, although the following subfolders would no longer be present in a new library: Books, iPod Games, iTunes U, Mobile Applications, Tones, Voice Memos.
tt2
If your artist folders are showing up in ..\iTunes Media rather than ..\iTunes Media\Music then your library is using the older iTunes 8 layout for some reason. You can use File > Library > Organize Library > Rearrange Files to tell iTunes to use the newer layout.
Changing the layout really shouldn't have any impact on how quickly iTunes opens or how stable it is. Check for hidden .tmp files in the main iTunes folder to see if you have any. In normal operation one should flit in and out of existence as you make changes to the library. If you see any when iTunes is closed they can all be deleted. If you have third party anti-virus software add an exclusion for the iTunes folder so that it doesn't interfere with iTunes as it updates the library. You can press and hold down shift+ctrl as you launch iTunes to open it in its safe mode which may do some housekeeping on the library. If you don't have any third party software that actively reads the XML file turn off the Share iTunes Library XML... option.
In some cases a full tear down of the iTunes installation before a reinstall might help with reliability. See Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates - Apple Community.
See Duplicate songs in iTunes - Apple Community for advice on duplicates.
tt2
Thanks for the information. It looks like within the iTunes Media folder, there should be a "Music" folder that contains my music library. It takes a long time for iTunes to open on my computer and often times iTunes does not load my complete music library and I have problems with syncing to my iPod. I was wondering if the way folders were organized made it hard for iTunes to locate the music folders. Here's a screen shot of my Preference settings for the iTunes Media folder location on my C drive:
In the iTunes Media folder, should there be a "Music" subfolder that contains my music library, or can the music library folders simply reside in the iTunes Media folder?
Many years ago, my son helped me set up iTunes and in the past, my music library(albums) was in a "Music" folder within the "iTunes Media" folder. To try and fix the technical problems, I changed the Preference settings and simplified the file path by moving most of the albums from the Music folder to the iTunes Media folder. I'm still having the same loading, syncing and duplicating problems and was wondering if I should have maintained the Music folder within the iTunes Media folder. Sorry if this is confusing and boring but I depend on purchased and downloaded music for listening in remote locations and would like to improve my iTunes experience
Thanks!
Default iTunes folder structure
