iTunes empty and duplicated items on PC after importing

It is easier to read text that isn't in ALL CAPS.

iTunes is empty, so the media folder contains duplicates? It helps if you can describe your issue in enough detail for others to appreciate what you're seeing.

Have you installed any of Apple Music, Apple Devices or Apple TV? Each of these apps alters the behaviour of iTunes such that it only manages audiobooks and podcasts. All should be removed for iTunes to function normally.

See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash - Apple Community for advice on restoring the previous state of your library if required.

See Duplicate songs in iTunes - Apple Community for advice on cleaning duplicates from the iTunes library. The script detailed there doesn't process the media folder independently, but if you import everything that is in the media folder to the library you can then use the script to deduplicate.

tt2

Do you see the media selection tool at the top left of the iTunes window? Does it read Music or Audiobooks/Podcasts. If it doesn't show Music can you change it to Music?

Have you ever purchased anything from the iTunes Store? Typically an empty library would show your unhidden purchase history unless you also have View > Only Downloaded Music selected, or are not signed into your Apple ID. Which of these is the case.

What version of iTunes is installed? See Help > About iTunes.

What version of Windows are you running?

Could you perhaps post a screenshot of your iTunes window in case I can spot clues there?

How are you attempting to add content to iTunes? Repeatedly adding or importing the same content when you know it generates duplicates, that don't show in the library, seems to be the wrong approach. Focus on the missing display information first, I suspect adding files isn't where the issue lies.

It may be necessary to uninstall and then reinstall iTunes. See my next post for details.

tt2

For general advice see Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates.

The steps in the second box are a guide to removing everything related to iTunes and then rebuilding it which is often a good starting point unless the symptoms indicate a more specific approach. When reinstalling right click on the downloaded setup file and use run as administrator. It may also help to temporarily disable any non-Microsoft anti-virus.

Review the other boxes and the list of support documents further down the page in case one of them applies.

The further information area has direct links to the current and recent builds in case you have problems downloading, or want to revert to an older version if the current one won't work properly for you at the moment. Links to the most recent builds are now at the bottom of the page.

Your library and device backups should be unaffected by these steps but there are links to backup and recovery advice should it be needed.

tt2

The current build of iTunes for Windows is 12.13.7.1. It can be obtained here:

• https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/win64

Reinstalling iTunes can potentially help if there are issues with components of the application that are not installed correctly. Doing do so should not affect the library. iTunes is an application that can index media on your computer. It doesn't automatically import media, unless that is placed in the Automatically Add to iTunes folder, so iTunes being empty on brand new devices is to be expected. Likewise if something has gone wrong and you are presented with an empty library on a machine that should have your data reinstalling alone isn't going to fix things.

I've asked several questions in an effort to understand your exact situation that have gone unanswered. I will attempt to help, but so far all you seem to have done is repeat the same statement that iTunes is empty, but also duplicating things. That much I understand, you don't need to say it again. I can advise on tidying up duplicates, but they need to be visible in the library to do so. You should be able to use File > Library > Add Folder to Library to add content from your local folders.

Note that unless you have an active subscription to Apple Music or iTunes Match you should not expect to see the past content of your iTunes music library simply from the act of installing iTunes and signing into your Apple Account. It is your duty to backup your data and move it from one computer to another when the time comes. Even with those services video data, apart from store purchases, is never associated with your account.

tt2

mouse50 wrote:

also forgot to add all the files are on pc or cds just cant add to itnes no matter what i do

A thought. See Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows - Apple Community. iTunes will silently fail to import files if the permissions aren't correct.

Also video imports then to end up in a Home Videos section within Movies/Films that may not be immediately apparent.

tt2

Well at this point I have no idea why you cannot get iTunes to play nicely. Perhaps you would get along better with MediaMonkey or Plex.

tt2