Eliminate iTunes Duplicates Safely

This problem happens when the iTunes library becomes corrupt. Recreate the iTunes library so that all tracks are properly saved by iTunes to its library xml file.

WARNING: Following this procedure deletes the playlist, ratings, and other metadata in your library. It is therefore important that you backup your library as instructed.

Steps:

Backup your music library. It's usually located in ~/Music/iTunes (The rest of the instructions will assume this where it's located)

Delete ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Library

Delete ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music Library.xml

Delete ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Library.xml if it exists as well

Launch iTunes while holding down the option key on the keyboard. iTunes will ask you to choose or create a library

Click on "Create Library..." and choose ~/Music/iTunes or whichever folder you want your iTunes library to be at

Import all of your songs back in by dragging in the folder "~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music" into the iTunes window

This procedure is necessary when the iTunes library file and the library xml file are out of synch. Reimporting the tracks by following the above instructions will correct the problem.

WARNING: Following this procedure deletes the playlist, ratings, and other metadata in your library. It is therefore important that you backup your library as instructed.

Credit: Tangerine!