How Do I Transfer My iTunes Library to an External Hard Drive?

Transfer your iTunes files to an external device.

Apple's iTunes is a popular music storing and organizing application that is also intended to sync with Apple's iPod device. If you want to back up your music files and save them on an external hard drive, you can do so easily by adjusting the iTunes media folder location. Once properly performed, a copy of all of the songs in your iTunes library will transfer to the external device.

Things You'll Need

• External hard drive

Instructions

1. Connect the external hard drive to your computer.

2. Open the iTunes application on your computer.

3. Click the "Edit" menu and select "Preferences."

4. Click the "Advanced" tab.

5. Click the "Change" button next to "iTunes Music folder location."

6. Click "My Computer," then "External Hard Drive." Click "OK" to submit the changes.

7. Click the "File" menu at the top of the iTunes window and select "Library>Organize Library."

8. Check the box next to "Consolidate Files," then press "OK." Click "Consolidate" when prompted to start the transfer process. A copy of each track in your iTunes library will be transferred to the hard drive.

References

• "iPod and iTunes For Dummies"; Tony Bove; 2009