Backup-Restore v Copying itunes folder structure to a backup drive.

Is there any difference whatsoever in performing a backup to DVD and then a restore, and copying the itunes folder structure to a back up drive and using that to restore? (Assuming you know how)
I know there are other files involved in itunes that aren't in the main folder, such as cd names database files and other hidden files. Do these get backed up during a proper DVD backup from the file menu and are they necessary really?
I like the convenience of simply copying the folder structure as a means of backup but don't want to miss out on important files that may be backed up the recommended way with DVD's.
Is it a big deal if I don't use DVD's and just continue to copy the folders? What am I missing out on by doing this?
Also - Is it wise to un authorize my computer before I perform a reformat and re install of the entire operating system and iTunes?
-Frankie

1. yes you should deauthorise your PC before reinstalling Windows, then reauthorise after reinstalling itunes.
2. Assuming you have the default arrangement for iTunes i.e. Music\iTunes\iTunes Music with all your music files in iTunes Music.
You can backup iTunes by copying the iTunes folder in Music with all its subfolders to an external drive.
Then after you have reinstalled Windows and iTunes, you can replace the empty iTunes folder created at installation with the one from backup.

Similar Messages

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    I tried copying the iTunes folder to another Lacie external hard drive that I have, and it worked fine so I am guessing that it maybe something wrong with the hard drive.
    I've been trying various approaches all day and can't seem to get anywhere with it - all very frustrating, so any help would be much appreciated!
    Thanks.

    If you don't have other backup data on it, reformatting external drive could solve the problem.

  • What is the default iTune Folder Structure for iTunes 10?

    What is the default iTune Folder Structure for iTunes 10? As far as I can tell in windows 7 it goes something like.
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    5. (Optional) Close iTunes, rename the folder iTunes Music as iTunes Media then restart iTunes. Check under Edit > Preferences > Advanced tab that the location has automatically updated. If you can't access the media for any reason just undo the folder rename.
    6. (Optional - Windows only) If Windows Media Player has ever had access to your files it may have liberally scattered folder artwork files about which iTunes won't tidy up when it reorganizes things, thus leaving behind a heap of folders with artwork and no media. I've written a script for cleaning this mess up called CleanDeadArt.
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  • HT1751 unable to copy iTunes folder from mac to external hard drive, says hard drive can't be modified

    when attempting to copy itunes folder to external hard drive, response is unable to copy file, hard drive can't be modified. What does that mean and how to I use external HD to transfer itunes library to new PC?

    The drive is probably formated as NTFS, and your Mac doesn't have an NTFS write driver installed. Why not transfer the folder over your network?
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  • HT1751 My win8 pc hard drive failed.  After the hard drive was replaced, I copied iTunes Media backupfiles from external hard drive (Karen's Replicator was used).  ITunes does not recognize the back up files - help! (it does show cloud & recently burned m

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  • HT1386 I have a new computer. I have copied Itunes library from an external hard drive. Itunes now tells me I cannot sync with my Ipod as it thinks the 20gb on the computer are different to the 20gb on my Ipod touch! What have I done wrong? How can I fix

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    See:
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    Sync Your iOS Device with a New Computer Without Losing Data - How-To Geek

  • After copying iTunes folder to new PC how do I restore its original library

    I have two PCs, each with iTunes on it.
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    Well, this is a helpful group.
    I ended up conducting a test.
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  • Copied and pasted my itunes folder to a new internal drive- can I consolidate the library?

    I ran out of space for my images so I copied and pasted the whole itunes folder over to a new internal hard drive.  I then deleted the itunes folder on the original drive.  I went to preferences in itunes and changed the location of the music folder.
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    This is the process I usually recommend.
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  • I have 2 yr old Iphone 4 and have not backed up or connected to Itunes or backed up for 1 yr. I have new computer and want to connect and copy Itunes folder from external HD to new computer and install Itunes. What steps should I take and what precautions

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  • Copied itunes folder not recognized?

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    ...OK, after a few restarts of itunes I was able to import the library. However, it seems that all of my smart playlists are gone. I don't remember having had this problem with previous versions of itunes. I am using the latest version.
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  • How do I copy iTunes folder which is on my external hard drive to my iTunes folder on my mini mac?

    I am new to Apple computers.  I have just downloaded an iTunes file from my pc onto an external hard drive and I want to know how I copy this file into my iTunes folder on my imac.

    Connect the external hard drive to your iMac.
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  • Cannot copy iTunes folder from Windows to Mac because of Permission

    I have my iTunes library on a windows machine, running windows 7. The library is organized inside the iTunes folder.
    I am trying to put this same iTunes onto my new macbook pro. I tried copying the folder to an external HD and plugging that into my mac. When I tried to just copy the iTunes folder to the Mac HD I got:
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    I decided to try and see if iTunes could just do it itself. So I replaced it itunes library (which was blank) on my Mac with that of my windows. I then opened a song, and followed the promt to locate it. iTunes found all my songs (on the external HD) just as you would expect. Now I tried to consolidate to get everything over to the mac. About halfway through i got this error:
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    One more note: when I open the HD on my mac it says "You have read access only" in the security tab. I know every other thread on this like suggests changing that but there is nowhere for me to do that.
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    I then opened a song, and followed the promt to locate it. iTunes found all my songs (on the external HD) just as you would expect.
    That's not what I would expect if you copied the entire /iTunes/ folder to the new computer.
    Try this...
    Open a Finder window.
    Select Users/yourusernname.
    Right click - get info.
    Scroll to the bottom (Sharing & Permissions).
    Make sure you can Read & Write.
    Click the gear icon at bottom and select Apply to enclosed items.
    Let it finish.
    Delete the /Music/iTunes/ folder.
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  • Error 36 when trying to copy itunes folder

    I am not very computer savvy and have searched for some sort of solution to this issue.  I have an ext. HD western digital and since mavericks I have had issues accessing this drive.  It is very slow.  So slow that it really doesn't work at all and I can't seem to copy files off of it anymore.  Before mavericks I put my itunes folder on this drive to save some valuable space on my imac and now can't access my music or movies in itunes.  I have tried to relocate this folder to another ext HD but I keep getting the following error. "the finder cannot complete the operation because some data in "download.m4a" cannot be read or written (error code-36)". What if any is the easiest way to make itunes a useable app again with my music and movies?  Many thanks for any help.
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    Apple Error codes - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1618 - -36 ioErr I/O error (bummers)
    Error -36 reported when copying files to external drive - http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8467699
    Error -36 and filename characteristics - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9629287 - FAT drives may not like all Mac filenames
    AD topic on Error -36 trouble shooting - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8586572

  • Unable to copy iTunes folder to external WD My Book drive

    No idea what's going on here. If I attempt to copy my iTunes folder to an external HD it fails with the error message
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    Francine
    Schwieder

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    See this post.
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