How do I shush iTunes?

August 10, 2005 1:14 PM

When I add mp3 files to my iTunes library, iTunes automatically starts playing them. How do I turn this off? I'm not talking about importing music by ripping CDs, I'm talking about adding pre-existing MP3 files to the iTunes Library.

Preferences > Importing > and unchecking "Play songs while importing" doesn't do anything, because that only affects ripping from CD.

I'm on the latest iTunes for OS X, if that helps. And I usually add songs to the library by dragging from them a Finder window to the iTunes icon on the dock. This seems to trigger the automatic playing.

posted by kathryn to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

Best answer: Try adding new songs by dragging them to an empty Playlist window or your Library window instead of the Dock icon. Does the behavior persist? If so, try using the Add to Library... selection from the pull-down menu. Mine don't play automatically, and I generally use the first method (never really thought about adding them via the Dock, but that's probably because I have mine set to Auto-hide, so I don't see the icon as often.)
posted by robbie01 at 1:31 PM on August 10, 2005

Best answer: Dropping files on a taskbar icon "always" means play/execute/whatever. Adding to the library is only a side effect for the action.

robbie01 is right on the money.
posted by srburns at 1:39 PM on August 10, 2005

Response by poster: drat, i thought that might be it. using "Add to Library" doesn't trigger the play action. i find the OS X file dialog clunky but that looks like the only way.

thanks, robbie01 and srburns.
posted by kathryn at 7:16 PM on August 10, 2005

I always drag from the Finder into the iTunes window, to get around the file dialog. As long as you've got your Library displayed (not a playlist, CD, Music Store, etc.), it works like a charm.
posted by jjg at 10:14 PM on August 10, 2005

If you're using Tiger, you can also whip up a quick Automator action to add files to your Library. Finder:Get Selected Finder Items, then iTunes:Add Files to Playlist. Select "Library" under "Existing Playlist" and save the action as a plug-in for Finder. Now you can right-click files and add them to your Library without going to iTunes at all.
posted by jjg at 10:20 PM on August 10, 2005