How to Create Multiple iTunes Libraries

If more than one person uses the computer in your household, you could probably benefit from knowing how to create and use multiple libraries with iTunes. It is likely that you, your spouse and your teenage son have vastly different tastes in music. Although not well publicized, creating and opening different libraries in iTunes is simple.

Things You'll Need

• iTunes

Instructions

1. Close out of iTunes if it is open. When opening iTunes on your computer, the program opens a default library. You can instruct iTunes to open any number of different libraries that you saved on the computer or an external drive.

2. Hold the "Option" key and click the iTunes icon in the dock on a Mac. On a PC, hold the "Shift" key while you choose "All Programs" and "iTunes" from the Start menu. A pop-up window appears entitled "Choose iTunes Library."

3. Create a new library by clicking "Create Library" and selecting a location to save the new library. Give the new library a descriptive name. Click "Save." This opens a new, empty iTunes library where you or a family member can add content.

4. Select "Choose Library" to toggle between libraries after you have created more than one. You must restart iTunes each time you switch libraries. The most recently used library remains the default until you make a change.

References

• Apple Support: How to Open an Alternate iTunes Library File or Create a New One