How do I transfer the iTunes library from my Mac to Windows without moving files?

I have my Media on a Windows file share and currenty my Mac's iTunes library is pointed there. I just installed iTunes on my Windows box and now I want to transfer the iTunes database( music, playcounts, playlist, etc ) to the Windows iTunes while keeping the files in place as they don't need to be moved.
Both systems are authorized on my acount and have home sharing turned on. They are both pointed to the same Media folder in their library settings.
How can I make the transfer without uncessary file copying?

The key file is the library.itl file.  This is the file iTunes uses to store all the information it presents to you when you open the program.  Well, there's also a few other library files as well as the artwork folder, but the .itl file is the center of it.  You don't say whether or not the PC has its own library with unique content, or if you are trying to duplicate the library for both.  If the PC library is empty try copying the whole iTunes folder (which contains no media according to you) to the PC, then start iTunes with the shift key held down and guide iTunes to the new library file set (or copy it over the one currently on your PC and just start normally).
What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music [library] to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527 - a somewhat bewildering and not always easily understandable set of options.
Windows users see tip at: https://discussions.apple.com/message/18879381

Similar Messages

  • How can i move my iTunes' library from one mac to another without losing playlist etc???

    how can i move my iTunes' library from one mac to another without losing playlist etc???

    Use migration assistant, email it to the other computer or transfer the file using iChat.

  • How can I transfer my iTunes library from one Mac to another Mac?

    I have an old Mac book and purchased an air.

    Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings:  Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive.  Open iTunes and immediately hold down the option (alt) key (shift on Windows) so you get a prompt to select a library, then guide it to the 'iTunes Library.itl' file in the moved iTunes folder.
    If you put the copied iTunes folder in the default location of Macintosh HD > Users > *User Name* > Music  then you don't even need to start with the option key held down, iTunes will automatically look for it there.  (Make sure there isn't anything already in the iTunes folder there that you want to keep since you will be replacing it with the one you are moving.)
    Longer answers if for any reason you do not think all library files are inside your iTunes folder (changed preferences settings at some point):
    iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music [library] to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527 - a somewhat bewildering and not always easily understandable set of options.
    For the record there's this reference for iTunes 11 but it really doesn't strike me as having the specifics you need. iTunes 11 for Mac: Move your library to another computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH12168

  • How to I transfer my iTunes library from a Mac to a PC?

    I'm really struggling here. Everything online doesn't seem to help. I tried to copy all of my music too a thumb drive but when I tried to play them on my new windows 7 pc, it said that the original files could not be found. I do have an ipod, but its not allowing me to use it to transer the songs! I need pretty detailed instructions. Help? Thank you!

    The Appe Store will do this for you.
    You can call Apple Support and they will help you.
    You can type "move itunes library from pc to mac" or similar into the google search bar.
    All will get the same thing accomplished.

  • How Do I Transfer My iTunes Library From A Mac To A PC?

    I want to copy my iTunes 8 for Mac (iMac / 10.5.6) library over to iTunes 8 for PC (running Vista Home Premium Edition). Is there an easy way of doing it?

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  • How do I transfer my itunes library from my Mac desktop to my MacBook

    I need help exporting itunes library from Mac desktop to Mac laptop

    iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
    do not confuse moving your whole folder and library with:
    iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449

  • How do I transfer my itunes library from different mac user accounts?

    I was planning to make a new user account (not itunes) for myself on my mac since my other is completely screwed up, but if i do this i will lose my itunes account. How do i transfer my library from the old user account to the new one.

    Using administrator status on the computer you should be able to move the whole iTunes folder from one account to the other.  Put it in the equivalent music folder.
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  • How do I transfer my iTunes library from an old, slow pc laptop to a newer faster pc laptop? Do I have to take a copy of my iTunes library on the hard drive of the old(er) pc laptop and load it onto the hard drive of my new(er) pc laptop?

    How do I transfer my iTunes library from an old, slow pc laptop to a new(er), faster pc laptop? Do I have to make a copy of the iTunes library on the old pc laptop and re-install it on the new(er) pc laptop? Is it something that can de done using the actual iPod itself?

    This is the method I would normally recommend:
    Backup with this User Tip, restore the library to the new computer using the same tool, keep the backup up-to-date in future. Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer need to access protected content on it.
    You can use your iPod classic to move your library to a new computer but if you don't already have a backup copy of the library (and your other important data) now is the time to think about it.
    tt2

  • How do I transfer my iTunes library from a PC to a Mac when the old computer is broken?

    How do I transfer my iTunes library from a PC to a Mac when the old computer is broken?

    The Appe Store will do this for you.
    You can call Apple Support and they will help you.
    You can type "move itunes library from pc to mac" or similar into the google search bar.
    All will get the same thing accomplished.

  • Just after buying a new laptop. How do I transfer my iTunes library from one laptop to the next?

    I bought a new laptop not so long back. How do I transfer my iTunes library from my old laptop to my new one without having to download all my CD's again?

    Type "move itunes library" into the search bar in the upper right corner of the screen or into your favorite search engine.

  • How can I do to transfer all iTunes library from my Mac book Pro to Time capsule without to lost the alphabetic sequence of songs

    How can I do to transfer all iTunes library from my Mac book Pro to Time capsule without to lost the alphabetic sequence of songs & artists? What is the correct way to transfer my 3000 songs to Time capsule, to free the memory of my Mac? Thanks a lot. Carlo Molinari (Rome - Italy)

    How can I do to transfer all iTunes library from my Mac book Pro to Time capsule without to lost the alphabetic sequence of songs & artists? What is the correct way to transfer my 3000 songs to Time capsule, to free the memory of my Mac?
    The following are the basic steps to transfer your iTunes Media folder from your MacBook Pro to the Time Capsule (TC). Note: You will leave the iTunes Library, and its associated files, on the MacBook Pro as you will only be moving the media files.
    Be sure to shutdown iTunes before starting.
    Next, move the "iTunes Music" folder, located in ~/Music/iTunes/, to wherever you want on your TC's internal hard drive. Remember to leave the Album Artwork folder, as well as the three individual library files where they are on the MacBook Pro.
    Wait a while. If you have a large library, this will take a bit of time.
    Once the iTunes Media folder has been transferred, open iTunes. Note: It will still be looking at your local iTunes Library on the MBP. As such it will think that the iTunes Media folder is still on the MBP as well. However, we just relocated it to the TC. If you attempt to select any song, you will get an error that the song is "missing." Not to worry, we will correct this in the next step.
    We need to tell iTunes the media has moved to the TC's internal HDD. To change where iTunes "looks" for the media, open iTunes and go to the Advanced > General tab and use the "Change..." button to tell it where your new "iTunes Music" library is located.
    Once this is done iTunes will likely pop up a progress window telling you that it's re-analyzing your library. Let it complete this step.
    As a final check to make sure everything when as planned, click on any library file from within iTunes and press cmd + i (or View > Get Info). At the bottom of the Summary tab in that window is a "Where:" section that tells you the actual file path to that piece of media; be sure that path begins with the name of your TC's drive, and not "Macintosh HD."

  • I'm sorry for repeating this, but i have not found a clear answer. i have a macbook wit iTunes library, an iMac, and a time capsule. how can i transfer my itunes library from TC backup to the iMac? thank you -

    i'm sorry for repeating this, but i have not found a clear, step-by-step answer in several hours.
    i have a macbook with iTunes library, a new iMac, and a new time capsule. how can i transfer my itunes library from TC backup to the iMac?
    (sharing the iTunes library between the macbook & iMack requires both machines and seems silly ...)
    thank you -

    No.

  • How do i transfer my itunes library from one macbook to another?

    hi,how do i transfer my itunes library from one macbook to another?

    From your OLD computer...
    Copy your ENTIRE iTunes FOLDER to an External Drive... and then from the External Drive to your New Computer..
    Full Details Here  >  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
    An Added Bonus is that you will have a Backup of iTunes.
    Also... have a look at these 2 Videos...
    http://macmost.com/moving-your-itunes-library.html
    http://macmost.com/moving-your-itunes-media-to-an-external-drive.html

  • How can I transfer my iTunes library from one comptuer to another in my houser

    how can i transfer my itunes library from one computer in my house to another in my house?

    Type "move itunes library" into the google search bar

  • How do I transfer my iTunes library from old Vista computer to new Windows 8

    How do I transfer my iTunes library from an old vista PC to new Windows 8 computer, can I utilise my I pod 160Gb classic, any help would be appreciated.

    From your OLD computer...
    Copy your ENTIRE iTunes FOLDER to an External Drive... and then from the External Drive to your New Computer..
    Full Details Here  >  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
    Also...
    Have a look at these 2 Videos...
    http://macmost.com/moving-your-itunes-library.html
    http://macmost.com/moving-your-itunes-media-to-an-external-drive.html

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