PSA: iPod/iTunes Manual Updating
I've been asked this question, and I've seen this question enough, that I think I should do another one of these, especially since iTunes looks quite different from the last time I wrote this PSA.
If you have an iPod and you want to delete media from your computer or external hard drive (that is linked to your iTunes), the only way that you can prevent your iPod from having all that media deleted every time you sync it with your iTunes is to turn auto-sync off. Auto-sync is a default in iTunes, and it basically will make sure that your iTunes and your iPod have identical content.
To turn this auto-sync feature off, please see this screencap. Make sure that under "OPTIONS" you have the "manually manage" box checked, and you don't have to worry about your iPod's content being deleted anymore (unless you delete it, of course).
When you want to update your iPod, simply highlight, drag and drop from your main area, or if you use playlists like I do, drag and drop the playlist into your iPod. It's much safer.
If you have an iPod and you want to delete media from your computer or external hard drive (that is linked to your iTunes), the only way that you can prevent your iPod from having all that media deleted every time you sync it with your iTunes is to turn auto-sync off. Auto-sync is a default in iTunes, and it basically will make sure that your iTunes and your iPod have identical content.
To turn this auto-sync feature off, please see this screencap. Make sure that under "OPTIONS" you have the "manually manage" box checked, and you don't have to worry about your iPod's content being deleted anymore (unless you delete it, of course).
When you want to update your iPod, simply highlight, drag and drop from your main area, or if you use playlists like I do, drag and drop the playlist into your iPod. It's much safer.