Delete songs from iTunes library & computer 'together' ?

[mallu2u]

Guys:

Is there a way to remove songs from iTunes Library so that it deletes it from the computer as well? I am rating the songs that I want to delete and then just want to delete them together. Since they are multiple folders, I would rather just remove it from itunes, which hopefully can remove from computer as well. I know windows media player and muscimatch can do this...can iTunes do it too?
Thanks.

[kornchild2002]

Yes, just highlight all the songs you want to delete, hit the delete key, then iTunes will ask you if you want to delete the songs and iTunes will also ask you if you want to move the music to your recycling bin as well. Click yes when this comes up and your music will be deleted from your iTunes library and will be placed into your recycling bin, just epty your bin and the music will be gone forever.

[mallu2u]

I do not see that question being asked to me. It just tells me that if I remove it, it shall be removed from iPod as well. I have windows. Does that make a difference? Is there a way to enable that option (question)?

[kornchild2002]

If you have auto-sync enabled and you delete the songs from your iTunes library, it will also delete them off your iPod. Since you have auto-sync enabled, it is giving you this message. If you don't want the files in your iTunes library, on your computer, or on your iPod then go ahead and click OK. It should come up with another window asking if you want to move the music files to your recycling bin as well.

[mallu2u]

No it does not ask me the recycling bin Q. Just tried it. Wonder why? Is there a way to enable that option? Appreciate your responding to my Qs.

[..andloveisreal]

Which version of itunes do you have? I have the latest version and when I right click on a song, and hit clear it asks me if I want to move the file to the recycle bin or keep it in the itunes music folder.

Or maybe you're deleting songs that aren't in the itunes music folder, but in another folder, they have to be in the selected itunes music folder for itunes to delete them.

[mallu2u]

..andloveisreal: U got it right! Most of my songs are 'not' in iTunes music folder. Now, do u know of a way to delete songs from both iTunes and folders from within iTunes or do I have to delete the songs from the folders itself to get them out totally. I was hoping that I could do it easily in one place rather than having to find them in multiple folders.

[studogvetmed]

Click on the song you want to delete and click control-R this should bring up the actual song file. You can then have access to where the song is for deleting to the recycle bin in one window and access to clear it from the library in the other.

A pain for sure, but an issue with not having iTunes controlling your music folder.

I just though of something that might bypass it though. Pick a test song where you know the folder for the song resides. Use option-delete, this is a command that should remove a song from the library and hard drive in one fell swoop. See if it works. It may still be tied to weather or not music is in the iTune folder, but worth a shot.

[mallu2u]

where is this option delete?

[studogvetmed]

Hold down the option key (I think it is the alt key on a PC) and then click the delete button. It will erase without any warnings. You will have to check to see if it also erased from the hard drive. I'm not sure if this will work for you or not.

[mallu2u]

did not work. tried ctrl, alt and shift keys as well. just takes it out of itunes and not pc. damn, itunes should have an option.

[snorbaard]

Ok, here's a tip - Are you trying this from a playlist, or the main Library option?

You can only delete music from the Library section

[mallu2u]

Yes, figured that out this morning! Also, I changed the location of my iTunes folder to the one on my laptop that has all my MP3s. Now when I try to delete the songs, its asks me whether it should send it to Recyling bin. Thanks for the tip ..andloveisreal. And snorbaard.

[dancrs]

i have just read your string about removing iTunes songs from the hard drive completely. I know that no matter whether I delete songs within the iTunes software or delete them by accessing the iTues folder independently, the songs still reside somewhere on my hard drive because when iTunes offers to find music files, it finds them all after I've deleted them. If I change the default location of new iTunes to my remote hard drive, will this alleviate the problem? I don't want all these music files on my hard drive because they consume space and processing time.

[cjmnews]

There are some considerations to take into effect.

If your songs are inside the iTunes directory:

If you find the song in the Music section, select it, and press Delete. iTunes should ask you if you want to keep the file or send to the recycle bin. Send it to the recycle bin.

If you find the song in a playlist, select it, hold Shift and then Press Delete. Same prompts apply.

Now if you are one of those that told iTunes to not show the Recycle Bin prompt ever again, you can get it back by resetting the preferences.
*** Resetting iTunes for Windows Preferences and Warnings:
1- Close iTunes.
2- In Windows, delete the iTunesPrefs.xml file located at:
C:\Documents and Settings\(yourusername)\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunesPrefs.xml
3- Re-start iTunes.

If your songs are not under the iTunes folder then you have to delete twice.
1. Locate the song in your Library's Music section.
2. Right click and choose Show location in Windows Explorer.
3. Delete the song file that is highlighted in Windows Explorer.
4. Close Windows Explorer
5. Delete the Song in iTunes.

Empty your recycle bin and they are gone.