# Need advice on an Ipod "problem"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-on-an-ipod-problem/421046>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 30, 2007, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-on-an-ipod-problem/421046 "2007-09-30T17:42:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-on-an-ipod-problem/421046/1 "2007-09-30T17:42:06Z")

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Friends I have an I-pod and have been importing some mp3s from my file folders in Windows. The I-pod places these files in my Library and puts them on the Pod, no problem. This is the “problem,” I tried to delete some of the mp3s from my Windows folders when I did that Itunes would no longer play them, so apparently you have to keep the mp3 files in Windows just as they are for Itunes to access them. I assumed Itunes copied the MP3s so you could delete them from your Windows file folders but they would still be in your Itunes Library.

I have imported dozens of different mp3s and WAVs from many different folders, dose this mean I can never delete them and still have Itunes play them?

I hope I was clear with my dilemma, has anyone had this problem or advice on how to proceed?

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**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-on-an-ipod-problem/421046/2 "2007-09-30T17:50:22Z")

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[QUOTE=Icerigger]  
I assumed Itunes copied the MP3s so you could delete them from your Windows file folders but they would still be in your Itunes Library.  
[/quote]

By default, iTunes just accesses the MP3 files in their original folders. If you _want_ iTunes to copy those files into the iTunes folder, use the Advanced -\> Consolidate Library command.

Also, if you want iTunes to do this automatically every time you add a file, go to Edit -\> Preferences -\> Advanced, and check the “Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library” option.

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**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-on-an-ipod-problem/421046/3 "2007-09-30T23:44:17Z")

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Thanks for the input, it seems to have done the trick. 🙂