Backing up Library/Play Count/Ratings in 6.0.4.2

I've looked through the forums trying to find out which file I should be backing up, and I found a thread talking about the iTunes Music Library.itl and .xml files.
Trouble is, with iTunes 6.0.4, these files don't seem to exist.
Which file in the 6.0.4 structure am I supposed to backup?
Thanks for the help!

Those are indeed the files you need to be backing up.
The default folder is here
C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes
If the ITL and XML file aren't there, then do a Start > Search > For files or folder named > itunes
Because you must have set up iTunes to put them somewhere else.
What are the iTunes library files?

Similar Messages

Is it possible to transfer library information such as play counts, ratings

I've learned how to transfer my music files to a new PC, but is it possible to also transfer library info such as play counts and ratings? I am moving my music from an old XP system to a Vista system. I would like to keep all my play counts, ratings etc if possible. I believe I can copy the library file but will it be a problem if the path is different (in XP it's My Documents/My Music where in Vista it's Documents/Music without the "My"). Any help would be greatly appreciated!

There are numerous posts about this in the forum. Here is an Apple article decribing how to do it using an iPod, but the method is essentially the same using an external HD.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300173
It is generally better to start your own topic, rather than respond to an old post like this. The original poster is unlikely to be around after so long.

I had to install a new hard drive because my old hard drives boot files became corrupted, and i want to get all of my music files off the old hard drive and regain all my play counts/ratings/playlists

Greetings everyone
as the title says, ive had to install a new hard drive and i want to transfer my old itunes library onto the new drive, maintaining all playlists/play counts/ratings etc, album artwork if possible. The old hard drive is installed as a slave drive and is completely acessible, but due to the boot files being corrupted i cannot use it as the main drive and therefore operate my old itunes. Also, my ipod no longer contains my music library as itunes synced without my permission and wiped it.
The only thing i have tried is copying all of my old music files from the old drive by selecting 'add folder to library' and then the old drive, then replacing the new itunes library.itl file with the one from my old itunes. This restores all my playlists and playcounts but when i try to play any of the songs it says that the files could not be found, and i dont fancy locating 8500 music files individually!
Thankyou for taking the time to read my post, any help will be greatly appreciated.

Ah, my reply was based on the assumption that you had a default installation of iTunes.
i.e you had all your music in the iTunes media folder inside your iTunes folder.
If your iTunes folder is so small compared to the amount of music you have, you must have a different arrangement.
This complicates you situation considerably.
iTunes can cope with moving around as long as all the music is in the iTunes media folder, not not if it isn't.
Your first step should be to get iTunes working on the old drive. This will involve editing the xml library file so that the drive letter is correct and then rebuilding the library from the xml file.
Then you will need to consolidate your library which moves everything into the iTunes media fodler. After that you will be able to use my first suggestion.
Step 1
Find the iTunes folder on the old drive and copy the two library files somewhere else so you can find them again. That's iTunes Library.itl and iTunes Library.xml.
Now open the copy of iTunes Library.xml with WordPad.
Look for lines starting:
Location
These contain the paths to tracks.
You will need to use a find/replace to change the drive letter so that it is correct.
Make sure that you include enough in the "find" so that you only change the right thing.
Maybe /c:/ and replace with /d:/ or whatever.
After that, tell iTunes to use the library on the old drive with a shift key start.
Hold down the shift key and start iTunes, keep holding the shift key until you are prompted to choose a library. Navigate to the iTunes folder on the old drive and choose iTunes Library.itl.
Then use the method in the following article to rebuild your library;
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1451
Unfortunately the date added will be today for all tracks.
If iTunes works correctly after this, consolidate your library
File>>Library>>Organize>>consolidate
This copies all tracks into to iTunes media folder and could create a problem if you do not have disk space so don't do it if you are unsure about free disk space.
Check that iTunes works OK and then use the first method.
Message was edited by: polydorus

Library transfer - hasn't retained play counts, ratings etc.

Recently got a new laptop, and tried to transfer my iTunes library to it. I followed a guide to do it and still keep all my play counts and song ratings etc. but it hasn't worked. I've got the xml and library files still, so can anyone tell me what i need to do to fix it?

Assuming you have a default installation of iTunes, you need to backup the iTunes folder in Music with all its sub folders.
But I Assume you will be backing up all your data including the Music folder, so that should get it.
When you get your PC back, install iTunes, then drag the iTunes folder out of music to the desktop. Then copy the iTunes folder from backup into your Music folder so it replaces the one you dragged out.
You may need to adjust the permissions on your iTunes folder so that your account and SYSTEM have full control.

Last Played, Play Count, Ratings fields not updating

iTunes 6.0.1.3, 3rd Gen iPod, iPod Shuffle 2005-09-23 firmware
After updating to iTunes 6.0.1.3 I was forced to also update my iPod firmware to 2005-09-23. Since then, the last played, play count and ratings fields associated with music tracks no longer updates when I re-synch my 3G iPod. Ive tested with ripped AAC, ripped MP3, older (FairPlay 1) purchased music as well as new (FairPlay 2) tracks. No matter what Ive tried, the dates, counts and raings remain frozen in their pre-update state.
However, these fields are updated for Podcast tracks!
I also ran a test with my Shuffle. Music file play counts are updated as usual. I do notice that the Last Played field within iTunes is updated with the date and time of re-sync. Has it always been this way? I havent paid attention to this since I first purchased my Shuffle but I thought it only updated play count, not Last Played.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Found the problem. After my iPod didn't update after purchasing new songs, I checked my iPod options. For some reason my iTunes iPod Options changed from "Automaticaly update ..." to "Manually manage ...". Once I set this back to automatic everything updated fine.
It is interesting that even when "Manually manage" was selected, a new Podcast trak was downloaded to the iPod and, after listening to it, the Last Played and Play Count fields were updated.
Also, regarding my question about the Last Played update with my Shuffle, I learned that iTunes 5 implemented a change to update this field with the current date and time once the Shuffle is re-synch'd.

Play Count/Ratings won't update.

For some reason neither the play counts nor the ratings will update if I do them on my Nano. If I play and/or rate a song on iTunes, the information will usually be saved.
This actually happened before early in the month, but the problem (temporarily) fixed itself. Now, information that was previously there (for example, I played some songs on iTunes on the 18th) has now reverted to earlier info. What gives? Is there any way of fixing this without resetting my iPod?
(Note: all other functions that deal with iTunes such as id3 info and album artwork, will update fine. It's just that any info I alter on the iPod itself will not save.)

So I formatted my iPod Nano, and it worked, but for some reason it stopped counting again. I briefly connected my iPod in order to load a song, and disconnected it properly. So does not charging it fully cause it to not save the data?

Media Go - iTunes Data (Play count, ratings) Import

Hello,
I'm trying to import all my ratings/play count data from my music and podcasts in iTunes to Media Go. So, for example, my 'most played music' in iTunes. For now, I only know how to import a playlist. When I do this, I lose the play count/rating data.
Is there any way to do this? I understand there is two options for connecting to iTunes - 'monitor' the iTunes folders (which I have just done, and my data does not import) or to fully import all iTunes files (which also does not seem to import data).
Thanks

Sam, thanks for your help. It's a shame but at least I know for sure! I have been thinking about this and have some ideas to help fix this:
1. 'Static' playlists can be imported. This is a playlist where the contents doesn't change. For example, you have a playlist based on the soundtrack of a favourite film. You simply right click on that playlist in itunes and click export, or you drag and drop it into Media Go.
2. Ratings - I have an idea. Make playlists in iTunes with '1 star songs' '2 star songs' etc. I do this for all 5 star ratings. Now use the above method to export to drag these playlists into Media Go. When you view these songs/podcasts/other content in Media Go, highlight them all either with your mouse or by pressing CTRL+A. When you have all items selected in a playlist, edit the details and add the particular rating. So, for example I have 5 star podcasts or 5 star songs. I drag them into Media Go, highlight them in Media Go, change the details in Media Go to 5 star again and it should be complete. You may wish to to create a view in Media Go with your 5 star items, this is similar to iTunes 'Smart playlists', meaning, as you add more ratings to your songs or podcasts, they are added automatically to this View.
3. Maintaining play count. The best I can recommend to others is to drag your playlists into Media Go, for example I have 'Favourite songs' or 'Most played new music'. When you drag them into Media Go, they will not maintain their rating but if you sync this playlist to your device you should be able to access your favourite music from your last device e.g. iPod quickly. With some normal usage, you will regenerate your favourite lists. You may wish to add a new View such as 'Most Played music', as I say, the Views add content over time like iTunes smart playlists.
If anyone else has helpful ideas do add! Lets make our Xperias and Media Go our favourite devices and software!!

Backing up iTunes playcounts and ratings

I have a fairly large library (just under 80GB) and have had some previous experiences with iTunes data loss. I'm getting dizzy going in circles looking for a way to save the information of my music (play counts, ratings, etc) in case of losing them, so I thought I'd try asking here.
Thanks very much for any responses.

Yes, just put it back to where it was before.
For example, I run my ITL file from my drive K: so that's where I put mine back.
Keep in mind, itunes uses absolute paths. Your music files still need to be in the same place itunes expects them.
I could change my drive letter to M: and shift-start itunes to use that the same ITL file, but I'd get ! next to all the songs. The ! means itunes can't find them.
The content would show in my library because I have the ITL file, but the itunes would still think the music was on K: (and not know about M:) and not be able to play the content.

Moving iTunes From PC to Mac keeping play counts etc.

I am trying to move my iTunes from a PC ( XP ) to a Mac ( OS X ). I have moved the entire iTunes folder which contains the XML file and music folder to the mac using an external hard drive. The PC was consolidated before the copy. On the Mac I found and replaced the PC file location to Mac file location (text editor). I then corrupted the iTunes Library.itl ( I believe that was the file). I Then dragged the edited XML file into iTunes without opening it (dragged it over the icon on the dock). It then started to rebuild the library. I thought i worked great. Which it did.
Problem: I am missing about 400 out of 3000 songs. There is no reference in the Mac iTunes XML. The Library is 32GB. I have all the movies, which is a large chunk of that. It is very very important that i keep the data related to those song ( play counts, ratings... ).
The songs are in the iTunes Music folder
I've looked at guides by Lifehacker, Macrumors,
Please help. Thank you!!

I am trying to move my iTunes from a PC ( XP ) to a Mac ( OS X ). I have moved the entire iTunes folder which contains the XML file and music folder to the mac using an external hard drive. The PC was consolidated before the copy. On the Mac I found and replaced the PC file location to Mac file location (text editor). I then corrupted the iTunes Library.itl ( I believe that was the file). I Then dragged the edited XML file into iTunes without opening it (dragged it over the icon on the dock). It then started to rebuild the library. I thought i worked great. Which it did.
Problem: I am missing about 400 out of 3000 songs. There is no reference in the Mac iTunes XML. The Library is 32GB. I have all the movies, which is a large chunk of that. It is very very important that i keep the data related to those song ( play counts, ratings... ).
The songs are in the iTunes Music folder
I've looked at guides by Lifehacker, Macrumors,
Please help. Thank you!!

Itunes regularly "forgets" my libraries and play counts

Hi,
In the last month i am experiencing the following problem. Every now and then, when i open itunes, my playlists are gone, and the play count of the songs is changed (a few songs have play count 1 and the rest 0). Moreover, itunes says I have a different number of podcasts downloaded.
The situation lasts for a few days, and after a random amount of time, my playlists are back, including the play count of the songs(most songs above 100 play count) and i get a different number of podcasts.
Not it seems to me i have two itunes, and every sync with the iphone requires the data on the phone to be deleted and freshly installs all sync songs/podcasts. This makes every sync 30 min long.
In the itunes folder i have:
itunes library extras.itdb
itunes library genius.itdb
itunes library.xml
itunes library.itl
itunes music library.xml
i found that itunes music library.xml contains information with play count 1 or 0
however the itunes library.xml contains the original infomation, with fields of play count a 100 or above.
My first thought was to delete the itunes music library. I found that whenever i restart itunes the file is automatically generated.
How can i stop this "random forgetfullness" of itunes?

Do you have Windows Live OneCare or some other security software? Tell that software not to scan the ITL and XML files. That can cause problems when itunes is trying to save/update those files while the security software has a hold on it.
Also - the "itunes music library.xml" is left over from an older version. I am fairly certain the newest versions of itunes uses "itunes library.xml".
If it was my PC, I would delete "itunes music library.xml". You could always just move it to another folder if you are hesitant to delete it, but get it out of the itunes folder.
Backing up, itunes needs an ITL file to run.
1) If no valid ITL file exists, it creates a new one (blank library) and ignores the XML file.
2) If it finds an existing ITL, it uses it and ignores the XML file.
3) If it finds a valid but damaged ITL, it looks for an XML file and tries to rebuild the ITL from that.
I suspect what is happening in your case is #3, but itunes is using the older xml with the bad play counts to rebuild its ITL file. If you get rid of that bad XML file it will have no choice but to use the recent XML file to rebuild.
Of course the main reason of why this is happening needs to get sorted, but sometimes it's difficult to find what's causing the ITL problems in the first place. I'd look at security software settings and make sure the itunes database files are excluded.
Just curious, if you look in Win Explorer, what are the dates on those XML files - created and modified?

Syncing my iPhone 4 will not update iTunes play counts

Running a MacBook Pro with OSX Lion 10.7.2 and iTunes 10.5 (141).
Since upgrading my iPhone 4 to iOS5 - I have noticed that when syncing my phone in iTunes (wired), my 'play counts' do not update for recently played songs, and any songs played on my iPhone do not appear in the 'Recently Played' playlist in iTunes.
I mange my music manually on my iPhone, so had a go at removing all the music from it, then copying over just one album. Played the first track of that album on my iPhone which had been played 10 times. Synced iPhone, and still says 10 plays in the play count on iTunes.
Have checked the 'Home Sharing computers and devices update play counts' in the 'Sharing Preferences' in iTunes, but this has no effect.
Is anyone else experiencing this issue?
Is it a bug?
Am I missing something glaringly obvious?

Dalmanac, I hear you. I record all of my plays to a database, and iOS5 has broken that for me. Quite frustrating.
I've done a bunch of testing tonight, a bit more thoroughly than I did on the weekend. There are two scenarios where I appear to be able to get the phone to sync plays back the the library.
Play a song from the iPhone through iTunes:
1. Connect iPhone.
2. Play song through iTunes, but from iPhone.
2.1 iTunes briefly says "updating files on phone" or something such
2.2 iPhone count increases (viewable in iTunes)
3. Click on Music Library -> play count has not updated
4. Sync iPhone -> play count in Music Library updates
This implies to me that syncing from the iPhone on iOS5 CAN work. The functionality is there, just broken.
Repeating those steps, but playing the song on the phone, not iTunes sees the iPhone count update, but not Music Library.
Starting a fresh library (yeah, I know, I don't want to do that either) and leaving the phone in Automatic mode appears to sync plays from the iPhone when played from the iPhone. I just tested with one track, but it seems to work without issue.
Starting a fresh library and using Manually Manage Music does not work, or at least I can't get it to. It behaves the same as keeping the existing library in manual mode. iPhone count updates, library count doesn't.
The last thing I want to do is start a new library and turn off Manually Manage Music. For the time being I've changed my database import from reading the music library XML to exporting a playlist from the phone of the day's plays (including play date and count) and importing from that. At least for a bit to see if this gets syncing issue fixed - or if I can find the magic combination of making it work again with my existing music library in manual mode.
If anyone learns anything further about how to get it working or has any further diagnosis please post.

Ipod play count is incorrect - solution?

Hey everyone,
I've been noticing EXTREMELY high play counts for my songs and it has to do with ipod syncs. Every time I plug in my ipod it adds all my computer library play counts to the ipod play counts and it doesn't just add the new ones that occured since my last sync, but all computer play counts EVER! so it double, triple, quadruple counts the computer play counts b/c of each sync.
Does anyone know if there is a way to fix this so it stops messing up the play count? Or does anyone know how to stop it from syncing computer and ipod plays in general?
thanks! =D

I have the same issue with my touch and it's really annoying. What I've noticed is that the play count is added to itself and then incremented. For instance I just played a song that had a play count of 7 once and then it became 15. The songs I've listened to twice will have a play count of 3, songs that Iv'e listened to 3 times will become 7 and so on.

Play Count does not increase

Hey everyone...I've notice recently that when I have my iTouch connected to the computer and play a song the play count will increase, but if I'm just listening to it and then plug it back in, the play count has not increased. I listen to the songs in full, so I don't know why they won't increase in play count. Any ideas?

i realise why Apple has changed this behavior....
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1202
Now you can add music on multiple computers! (support page updated after iOS 5 introduction), thus playcount is no longer working when you are in Manually Manage Music mode... but instead of tracking individual libraries, they just kept it indepedent... and break the feature.
Apple should've explained this... i lost some good playcount on my songs

Track play counts randomly resetting since iTunes 11 update.

Hi,
Just wondering if anybody knows if Apple are doing anything about this issue? I've seen another post on the support community that has a work around, but to be honest, I have no interest in doing some complicated work around that ends up losing anything I've downloaded since the last iTunes Libary file backup (or whatever you have to do). I'm still really struggling to get used to the new iTunes store and overall iTunes layout, however given more time I'm sure I will get used to it (although I'd still rather have the old version back). This play count issue is a real pain though and it only effects tracks bought from the iTunes store.
Anyway, I'll quit my pathetic moaning now in the hope that someone can offer some sort of light at the end of the tunnel.
Cheers,
Wiu

I'm having the same issue. I have an iPod Classic 120gb with 2.0.1 and iTunes 11.0.1 on an iMac running Mountain Lion 10.8.2.

How can I import playlists, ratings, and play counts from an old iTunes library into a new one?

After reading countless threads re: how to get the iTunes artwork screensaver to work, I decided to delete my iTunes library file and reimport all of music which resulted in fixing the iTunes artwork screensaver. Unfortunately (and expectedly), my playlists, playcounts, and other information were lost with the creation of a new library. Is there any way to import the playlists, ratings and play counts for my music from an old library file to my current one? I realize this may be complex, but I'm up for the task.
Thanks in advance,
B

I can't begin to describe how frustrating the screensaver issue has been for me (and I suspect countless others, judging by the number of threads on the topic).
I took your advice, though, just to test it. After backing up my current library.itl, I copied and pasted the old .itl file into its place. As expected the playlists, play counts, etc were instantly restored. And now the screensaver fails to work with the dreaded error 'No iTunes artwork found' which makes me think it IS an issue with the old library file. The only work around I've seen so far is to rebuild the library (which I did).
I'm afraid I'm going to be forced into choosing either a working screen saver or all my itunes data. Very frustrating indeed.
Here's a link to the 'definitive' fix for the screensaver, if you're interested.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3695200?start=0&tstart=0
Thanks again,
B

Backing up Library/Play Count/Ratings in 6.0.4.2

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