How to move iTunes from Mac to PC (via external drive)

I would like to copy my iTunes library from my home iMac to a PC laptop (I know, don't ask, it's a work tool)
- without clogging that work PC with all the music data, so I am thinking external drive.
Here are my questions:
first, how do I need to format that drive? MS-DOS (FAT) or else? (just purchased a LaCie mobile drive)
second, what do I do, back up from within iTunes or just move MyMusic folder over to external drive?
Any help is highly appreciated, first week on PC here!

Format the drive MS-DOS.
Copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder from the iMac to the external.
Plug the external into the Windows computer.
Hold Shift and launch iTunes.
Select Choose library.
Select the iTunes folder on the external.
That is all you need to do.

Similar Messages

How to move iTunes from one user to another on the same Windows 7 computer

How to move iTunes from one user to another on the same Windows 7 computer? Thanks, Bob

Move the iTunes library to a shared area and then into the desired location. If this isn’t the default one, launch iTunes with the Shift key held down and choose that library.
(122379)

How to consolidate iTunes from MAC & PC on to a NAS box?

=== Background ===
I've got 2 MACs & 2 PCs (WinXP) and I want to get the iTunes data consolidated to the network.
I've got iTunes data (including purchased songs) on both MACs and 1 PC.
MACs have iTunes 8.02. PC has iTunes 7.4.3.1 (but I can upgrade if that helps).
All purchased songs have DRM and were bought using the same Apple ID.
All the machines are on the same 10/100 network.
I have a NAS box (BuffaloTech) that can be viewed from each machine.
=== Challenge ===
I'd like to move all the iTunes content to the NAS box so that:
- all songs/playlists, etc are in 1 place
- I can use iTunes on any machine MAC/PC to see/play the same libraries
- I can use iTunes from any machine to buy/add more songs to the libraries
=== Questions ===
How hard is all this?
Does the answer get more complex if some of the MACs have multiple accounts?
I'd like each account to be able to see all the songs.
I've read about moving iTunes to an external drive. I figure I can use the same process
to move iTunes from one machine to the NAS. I wasn't able to see much about merger the other iTunes libraries in with the first. Should I do this through my iPhone/USB rather than through the network 10/100?
Once I have the iTunes setup/consolidated on the NAS, how to I get the iTunes on each machine
to use the data on the NAS. Will I run into issues (e.g. file locking) when more than one machine uses the iTunes database at the same time?
What should I watch out for?
Any recommendations regarding this sort of configuration?
Thanks for any advice,
-Dave

Hey u2sweetestallie,
Thanks for the question and detailed information. If your backup drive (in your example, drive A) included the iTunes Library files, you can open the library by following these steps:
iTunes: How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1589
If the hard drive did not include the iTunes Library files, but instead just the music, you may wish to re-link or re-import the music:
iTunes 11 for Mac: Import music and video already on your computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH12285
iTunes: Finding lost media and downloads
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1408
Thanks,
Matt M.

Is transfer from Mac to Windows via external HD possible?

I have been using my mums macbook pro and now I'm moving to town for school and only have a HP laptop can I transfer my music over to an external HD from mac to windows and authorise as well? I will visit often and want to have my purchased itunes music on both. If I buy a song on my HP will it update the mac one automatically or do I need to use my external HD every time? And lastly if it does update automatically, what about music not purchased on itunes, will it transfer those as well? I am a mac noob so please keep your answers easy
Thanks any help would be appreciated.

Yes it is possible.
Connect the external drive to the MacBook Pro
Copy the entire iTunes folder from the MacBook Pro to the external drive.
Open the iTunes folder on the external drive
Rename the file iTunes Library as iTunes Library.itl
Delete the files iTunes Music Library.xml and iTunes Library Genius.itdb
Connect the external drive to the HP laptop
Install iTunes if you haven't already, close it if running
Click the icon to start iTunes and immediately press and continue to hold down the shift key until asked to choose or create a library
Click Choose, navigate to the iTunes folder on the external drive and select the file iTunes Library.itl
Authorise the laptop to your iTunes account
If you are based in the US then music purchases made on one machine can be set to automatically download to your other libraries and any iOS devices. The rest of the world, at present, is limited to downloading apps and iBooks purchased from the store. Coming soon is iCloud which will, for a fee, also allow non-store-purchased music to be backed up and synced to your computers or iOS devices via the cloud.
tt2

How to move iTunes from a PC to a MAC when files are in a network drive

Warning! This is my first experience with a MAC!!!
All right, I am one of those guys who has been working with PCs since the beginning of times, but my wife finally convinced me to try a MAC. So far, so good (all right, I admit it...I kind of like it...) but I need some help with my Itunes library.
I had itunes setup in a network drive when using my PC. The Network drive and folder were Z:\Music\iTunes.
I want to use iTunes with my MAC now. I do not want to change the location of the files in my external drive.
I have managed to view the external hard drive folders with the MAC. However, the name of the folder is different "WORKGROUP;WD-NETCENTER/music/iTunes" when I look at the folder info.
What do I need to do to make this work?
Thanks in advance!
maf2

Community for iTunes
iTunes
iTunes for Windows
iOS About iTunes backups
iTunes Backing up, updating, and restoring iOS so
Moving iTunes Media folder
iTunes How to move your music to a new computer
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes - .../support + product name always a good place to start looking
Transferring your iTunes Library iLounge
- this has been a useful tutorial in the past and commonly recommended.

How to move software from Mac os x version 10.6.8 to 10.7.5?

How do I move apps from one Mac OS X to another Mac OS X?

Best to check out this Doc first Rosetta is an issue when upgrading from Snow leopard. Some of your apps may not work
Upgrading to 10.7 and above, don't forget Rosetta!
Also check out http://roaringapps.com It will give you a heads up as to what will and not work on Mountain lion.
Hope this helps.
PJRS

Move library from xp to 7 and external drive

Anyone out there who can help me with this? I'm a complete amateur and close to going mad about this... Thanks a bunch!
I acquired a new laptop and would like to get rid of my old desktop computer, thus need to transfer my iTunes library (lots of music from CD's in it, too). While I'm at it, I considered it wise to transfer the library to an external drive in order to save space on my laptop's hard drive. My old desktop computer had Windows XP for an operating system, my new laptop runs Windows 7.
I have now all my music files on that external drive connected to the laptop and accordingly changed the location of the library in the advanced tab of the iTunes preferences. Recently acquired files (were not included in the "old" library I want to transfer) that display perfectly well in iTunes (on the new laptop computer) are located in the exact same spot on that external drive. However, all the transferred files will not display in iTunes unless I double click on them in the Windows explorer. This, I imagine, tells me that the files at least now are in the right location, still somehow I am not able to make them appear in iTunes. Any useful hints will be highly appreciated. Many thanks in advance!

Format the drive MS-DOS.
Copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder from the iMac to the external.
Plug the external into the Windows computer.
Hold Shift and launch iTunes.
Select Choose library.
Select the iTunes folder on the external.
That is all you need to do.

How to deinstall iTunes from Mac OS X?

My iTunes just said I don't have the rights to enter or something like that and I wanted to deinstall it..which whatever came by to be more than just difficult..
could someone please heldp me and give an useful advice how to deinstall it?
thanks for trying,
Lisa.

This won't work for v. 11.0.2 on OSX 10.7.5.
“iTunes.app” can’t be modified or deleted because it’s required by Mac OS X.

How to move project from Mac to iPhone

Hello,
I have GarageBand 6.0.5 (428.5) on my Macbook Pro and the latest GarageBand for iOS on my iPhone 4.
How can I send a project I've created on my Macbook over to my iPhone?
Thanks!

Jamesking55 wrote:
How can I send a project I've created on my Macbook over to my iPhone?
http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/GBFAQ.html#transfergbxtogbi
(Let the page FULLY load. The link to your answer is at the top of your screen)

How to move files from mac to external drive

I need to free up storage on my macbook pro, I bought an external drive and have copied the files over. Then in finder after transfer I moved the files to trash off of my MacBook. However, when I check the storage it still shows the same amount of storage space taken up. What are the steps after transferring files to external drive to clear storage on harddisk?

Slightly surprised this has been asked several times before - "More Like This" on the right.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/15536947#15536947

How do you move Itunes from a PC to a Mac

Hey, I just bought a new Mac for college, however I need to move my itunes library from my PC to my Mac. I was wondering what would be the best method to do it. Thanks.

Migrate Your iTunes Library from Windows to Mac (and keep your ratings, play counts and date added)
http://www.tunequest.org/migrating-your-itunes-library-from-windows-to-mac/20061 105/
A Guide to Switching iTunes from Mac to Windows (or Vice Versa)
http://ipod.about.com/b/2007/03/11/a-guide-to-switching-itunes-from-mac-to-windo ws-or-vice-versa.htm
Geek to Live: How to move an iTunes library from a PC to Mac (and back)
http://lifehacker.com/software/itunes/geek-to-live--how-to-move-an-itunes-librar y-from-a-pc-to-mac-and-back-242468.php
HOWTO: Move your iTunes music while preserving library data (when you don’t let iTunes manage your music library)
http://hifiblog.com/past/2006/05/11/howto-move-your-itunes-music-while-preservin g-library-data-when-you-dont-let-itunes-manage-your-music-library/
Cheers,
Patrick

How can I Move photos from Mac computer to iPhone

I have no problem moving photos from the iPhone to my Mac using 'Image Capture.'
Now, I would like to know how to move pictures from my Mac to the iPhone. I can pretty well imagine that I first need to set the pixel dimensions of whatever I'm going to transfer to the iPhone to the iPhone standard. To do that, I will take an unaltered iPhone pic on my Mac and read the dimensions to get the standard. Past that point I'm not sure what is the best way to move the picture onto the iPhone.
Any recommendations on how to do this?
TIA,
Ken

Here is what I found doing a search of similar topics:
To sync photos from a folder on your hard disk to your device
Drag the images you want into a folder on your computer. If you want images to appear in separate photo albums on your device, create folders inside the main folder and drag images into the new folders.
In iTunes, select the device icon in the Devices list on the left.
Choose "Sync photos from."
Select Choose Folder from the pop-up menu and choose your main image folder.

How do I move pictures from Mac to ipad

How do I move photos from Mac to iPad?

Connect the iPad to your Computer and sync with iTunes.
Your iPad will appear in the "Devices" section in the iTunes Library Inspector.
Select it and click the "Photos" tab. Choose which events and albums you want to sync.
Press "Sync"
If your MacOS X version does support iCloud, you can also add the pictures you want to copy to your iPad to the PhotoStream.

How to move photoshop from old mac to new mac?

how to move photoshop from old mac book air to new mac book pro retina display (no disc drive)?

It can be possible to use the Migration Assistant, but you must take into account that any recent Photoshop requires activation with a server account, like Apple iTunes does for purchases. To avoid potential problems, you want to make sure that you deactivate any software (like iTunes or Photoshop) that you have installed from any company that requires activation, and then reactivate them after you migrate. Otherwise it is possible that any software you activated might stop working if it notices that the underlying hardware has changed.
Also, you only get 2 activations of Photoshop and 5 of iTunes, so you don't want to lose any because you forgot to deactivate before getting rid of the old Mac.
Migration Assitant is not perfect, so the most reliable way to migrate is to deactivate Photoshop before migrating and then run a clean installation of it after migration using your original media and serial number.

HT1766 I wish to move my iTunes library from my PC to an external drive to make room on my PC. How do I do this?

I wish to move my iTunes library from my PC to an external drive to make room on my PC. How do I do this?

The following may help: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364
Note the following fine print therein:
Note: If you move your library to an external drive, you'll need to power up and connect the drive before starting iTunes. If you don't, iTunes will prompt you to either locate the library or to create a new library (which will result in an empty library). No matter what, it's always a good idea to have a backup of the media you have in iTunes.

How to move iTunes from Mac to PC (via external drive)

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for