How to share library between 2 XP users on one machine?

Thanks, but importing creates a whole new database, for that XP user. I want each user to see the same itunes database.

I would like to manage just one itunes database, and when one user purchases a song, I want the other xp user automatically sees it.

Any ideas?

Try copying the files located here:

C:\Documents and Settings\User1\My Documents\My Music\iTunes

iTunes 4 Music Library.itl
iTunes 4 Music Library.xml

to here:

C:\Documents and Settings\User2\My Documents\My Music\iTunes

iTunes 4 Music Library.itl
iTunes 4 Music Library.xml

Originally posted by Adam
That would work I believe, but the problem arises in which when you get a new song/album you have to do the same thing every time.

True. :(

the solution may be here, I will try it later

http://tinyurl.com/t0rm

"As always, bear in mind this feature is not supported by Apple Computers and is only offered here as an answer to a user request. Use at your own risk

iTunes utilizes both a music folder(s) to store your audio files as well as a Library file which catalogs your music. Currently, you can alter the location of the music folder within the Preferences Advanced tab.

iTunes uses the Windows XP registry to determine the location of your "My Music" folder, which is located within each user's "My Documents" folder. Since each of these folders are unique to each user, the Library file is seperated and cannot be viewed as a common resource.

In order to share the Library, the following steps can be followed.
1. Download the Microsoft PowerToy TweakUI utility for Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home
2. Go to Start ... My Computer and open the Shared Documents folder.
3. Within this folder create a new folder named Shared iTunes

Logon to each user on the system and perform the following:
1. Launch TweakUI by going to Start ... All Programs ... Powertoys for Windows XP
2. Within TweakUI, double-click My Computer
3. Select Special Folders
4. Within the folders dropdown, select My Music
5. Click Change Location You will receive a warning popup that you can click OK
6. Within the Browse For Folder popup select the newly created Shared iTunes folder
7. Click OK

With that completed, iTunes will now go to this folder to find its iTunes folder.

At this point the environment is established for iTunes to share a common Library. If one user has previously used iTunes you can copy the iTunes folder from their My Documents\My Music folder into the Shared iTunes folder.

Each user's Preferences are stored in a completely seperate location and are not shared. Each user should change their default iTunes Music Folder location on the Preferences Advanced Tab to point to a common folder, such as the Shared iTunes\iTunes\iTunes Music folder

Very Important Caveat
To ensure integrity of the iTunes Library, each user should quit iTunes prior to another user logging on. "

fyi - the tweakui method I posted about works as advertised...

> Is there any issue with having two seperate
> iTunes databases, one for each user,
> but keeping the music files in a single shared folder?

No issue, itunes can work this way - just set the advanced preferences appropiately.

What itunes can't do (without the hack described above) is have 2+ users (on the same XP machine) share the same database and playlists.

Wayne

I have been running Itunes successfully with two users on XP. One user recently had a problem and now when I try to bring Itunes up it reads: "The Itunes music library file cannot be read because it does not appear to be a valid library file."

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks. Rich Mills..
:)

i've been trying to figure this out for a long time. this thread was the most helpful thing ever.