How to re-create iTunes Library.itl?

Is there a way to re-create the library file iTunes Library.itl without loosing any information (playlists, songs played, etc.)? I had a backup issue and now some of the songs do not show up in the library and some songs in the library are actually not on the disk.

"What if I do File>Add Folder to the itunes directory?"
'Add' the 'iTunes Music' folder. It should scan the folder and all sub-folders and 'Add' those songs it finds in those folders that are not in the Library.
If you find that it adds all songs (you get duplicates), then you can delete all song references within iTunes and then do an 'Add Folder'. Note: if you do this, you will reset all Ratings, Play Counts, Last Played and Date Added attributes. Also and Static Playlists will be emptied and any Smart Playlists that depend on the aforementioned attributes will be affected.

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How do I fix "iTunes Library .itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version"?

"iTunes Library .itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version"?

In that case the "iTunes Library .itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version" message may indicate that your iTunes library has been corrupted. Either restore it from a backup (it is always a good idea to backup your library before installing an iTunes update), or see turingtest2's user tip on Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash.

How To Fix: "The iTunes Library.itl file is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have write permission for this file."

I can't reopen my iTunes after I have to force quit when it does not respond. I get this message:
"The iTunes Library.itl file is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have write permission for this file."
I've read to do the solutions. I right clicked on both the iTunes and Music folder and went to info for each. On both the lock at the bottom of the Get Info was locked. All of my users including admin can read and write all files within those folders. They are even a shared folder. I clicked on the lock to unlock it, typed in my admin password, and went to the gear to apply to all files inside. After doing that I keep getting the saved message.
I tried another way that I've found online to move my ituneslibrary folder to the desktop and then open my iTunes. In theory the iTunes is supposed to ask for where the iTunes library is. Once that is prompted you quit iTunes and drag the iTunes Library folder back to the folder from the desktop and reopen iTunes to apprently solve the problem. However, when I move the iTunes Library file to the desktop and try to reopne iTunes the icon just keeps bouncing and when I right click the application does not respond.
This problem is only resolved if I restart/shut down my macbook pro which is a 15-inch Core 2 Duo with intel. It will be 5 years old in December. I currently have Lion and the latest iTunes 10.5. This problem started in late December.

If you hold down the option key when starting iTunes, it will allow you to select a library or create a new one.
You can create a new one, and then add all of your iTunes music back in by simply dragging the old iTunes music file onto iTunes.
There are more detailed instructions at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1451#
It will show you how to re-build your iTunes database file.

How do I rebuild Itunes Library.itl?

I now have 8.0.2.0. When I updated to the previous version, my library didn't show up in Itunes. I hoped that updating again would solve my problem, but it didn't.
I downloaded the "No content shows up in iTunes after updating" and "How to re-create your iTunes library" help files.
I must have messed something up because I still can't see my library. When I plug in my ipod, all the songs are there. I have all my ipod music on my L: drive, and it all appears intact.
So, it looks like I'll have to rebuild the .itl from scratch.
Thanks in advance for any help!

In that case the "iTunes Library .itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version" message may indicate that your iTunes library has been corrupted. Either restore it from a backup (it is always a good idea to backup your library before installing an iTunes update), or see turingtest2's user tip on Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash.

How to re-create itunes library with the original itunes library files?

My harddrive was dying so I brought it in to get it replaced. After the replacement was done, my itunes didn't seem to work properly. All my songs are still in the same folders but the library appeared to be corrupted. I attempted to reimport the itunes xml file but still no good.
My question: Is there a way to re-generate a brand new itunes library? All my songs are still intact in \music directory.
Any help appreciated.

Hi Limnos,
Thx for the link. I use the http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1589 within your link and re-import the \music folder. Works like magic.

Force Re-Creation Of iTunes Library.itl from iTunes Library.xml?

Can't figure out how to edit a post, so I'm putting this here instead of adding it to "Recovery From Hosed Music Locations - Without Losing Ratings?".
iTunes v9.
It's dawning on me that I can edit "iTunes Library.xml" and fix my hundreds (if not thousands) of broken links there.
But iTunes seems to work out of "iTunes Library.itl".
Seems like there had to be a way to get iTunes to re-create "iTunes Library.itl" from "iTunes Library.xml".
?

Damage the ITL first. That method has worked for several folks. Example:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11566523#11566523

When i double click itunes it doesn't open it just comes up with an error saying " The itunes library.itl file cannot be found or created. The default location for this file is in the 'itunes' folder in the 'music' folder". How can i fix this?

When i double click itunes it doesn't open it just comes up with an error saying " The itunes library.itl file cannot be found or created. The default location for this file is in the 'itunes' folder in the 'music' folder. How can i fix this problem?

Anyone can help to advice how to solve this issue ?

When I try to open ITunes it brings up a box that says the iTunes Library. itl file cannot be found or created. the default location for this fie is in the itunes folder in the music folder How do I solve this

My laptop was updating itunes and turned off and every since when i try to load itunes it brings up a window that says
The itunes library.itl fie cannot be found or created. The default location for this fie is in the itunes folder in the Music folder.
an I cant figure out what to do to get itunes to load so I can't use itunes at all which ***** since it also means I right now I can't add music to my ipod or apps or anything. So hopefully someone can tell me what happened and how to fix it or solve it

Hi pgarard1,
If you are having issues with launching iTunes after an update, you may want to take a look at the troubleshooting in the following article:
iTunes for Windows: Doesn't open after upgrading in Windows Vista or Windows 7
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2363
Regards,
- Brenden

After upgrading recently I got this message: "The file 'iTunes Library.itl' cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes." The music/video files are still on my MacBook Pro. Is it because I'm still on 10.5.8? How do I fix this?

For your reference I’m using a MacBook Pro running 10.5.8. Several weeks ago on a Monday I received an upgrade for iTunes. When Tuesday arrived I attempted to log in so that I could download the latest freebie song(s). I was met w/this message: “The file ‘iTunes Library.itl’ cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes.”
The music/video files are still on my Mac (I’ve verified that via Searchlight), but I’m unable to open the program. Since I know that 10.5.8 is rapidly becoming prehistoric, could it be that the newest iTunes isn’t compatible w/this particular OS? I’d like to switch up, but understand that the newest OS won’t work on a Mac of this vintage (6 years old). In addition, my Adobe products (all CS2) won’t work w/anything newer than 10.5.8, so I’m reluctant to go to a newer OS (I just can’t afford the Adobe upgrade $$$ @ this point).
Is there any way to get a download of an “old” iTunes version? If there were, I’d simply refuse any future upgrades until my personal economy allows me to stop working as if it were 2006. Please advise, somebody!

I don't know how you received an upgrade for iTunes. You make it sound like it was sent to you. At most your computer will tell you of a new version and you tell it to download it and install it. However, a computer will not do this for a version which is incompatible. iTunes 10.7 came out a few weeks ago but your computer would not notify you and even if it did, 10.7 would refuse to install on your computer. So this part isn't making a lot of sense.
Two ways to get the 'newer version' message. One is to open your library on a computer running a newer version, and then try to open it with an older version. Usually happens when the library is on an external and used with multiple computers. The second way is if you have multiple versions of itunes installed on your computer.
The newest (and likely the last) iTunes for OSX 10.5.8 is iTunes 10.6.3 which has been out for quite a while.
iTunes 10.6.3.25 - http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1575

TS1717 iTunes will not open. I get a message that says, "The iTunes Library.itl file cannot be found or created. The default location for this file is in the "iTunes" folder in the music folder." How can I fixt this?

iTunes will not open. I get a message that says, "The iTunes Library.itl file cannot be found or created. The default location for this file is in the "iTunes" folder in the music folder". How can I fix this?

Hi pgarard1,
If you are having issues with launching iTunes after an update, you may want to take a look at the troubleshooting in the following article:
iTunes for Windows: Doesn't open after upgrading in Windows Vista or Windows 7
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2363
Regards,
- Brenden

I get an error message saying "The iTunes Library.itl file cannot be found or created" when I try to open iTunes on my computer and the program fails to open. How can I fix this?

When I try ot open iTunes on my computer I get an error message stating "The iTunes Library.itl file cannot be found or created" and the program fails to open. How can I fix this issue?

Hi pgarard1,
If you are having issues with launching iTunes after an update, you may want to take a look at the troubleshooting in the following article:
iTunes for Windows: Doesn't open after upgrading in Windows Vista or Windows 7
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2363
Regards,
- Brenden

How can I locate my iTunes library files. When I click on my itunes icon the message appears, "The file iTunes Library.itl." cannot be found because it was created by a newer version of iTunes."

How can I locate my iTunes library files? When I click on my iTunes icon rather than my iTunes files I receive, " The file iTunes Library.itl." cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes." I have already tried to update my iTunes program.

Had same problem and solved it without having to reinstore any music or movies:
1. Delete old Library file
2. Go to the 'Previous iTunes Libraries' folder and copy one of the earlier files - note, they have a date extension, e.g. 'iTunes Library 2011-11-01'.
3. Paste this file in your iTuners folder and rename file by removing the date extension - 'iTunes Library'
You should have all your music and paylists in tact, unless it was a really old previous file.

I cannot open iTunes. I get a message that says "The file iTunes library.itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes. Would you like to download iTunes now?" I downloaded it and it and I continue to get the same message. How

I cannot open iTunes. I get a message that says "The file iTunes library.itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes. Would you like to download iTunes now?"
I downloaded it and it and I continue to get the same message.
How do I fix this? Thanks, Dee

Upgrade iTunes to the latest version. It should be 10.5.3.

"The file 'iTunes Library.itl' cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes." Updates were only offered by Apple when I'd open iTunes. Now I can't open iTunes. How can I access the newest iTunes as an update, not a new program?

"The file 'iTunes Library.itl' cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes." Updates were only offered by Apple when I'd open iTunes. Now I can't open iTunes. How can I access the newest iTunes as an update, not a new program?

this just started w/ me yesterday. I was running 10.5.3, and nothing changed - the message just appeard out of nowhere. I update to the latest iTunes 10.6 but the message is the same.
Sounds like probably some sort of Library file corruption.
The two options available in the message box are "Download" and "Quit". Download is useless because I'm already running the latest. Quit is pretty useless.
I was going to just create a new Library and re-import all my music. Of course, all my iPhone sync settings are going go have to be recreated.

Cannot open iTunes. I get the message" the file--iTunes library.itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes. How do I proceed?

cannot open iTunes. I get the message" the file--iTunes library.itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes. How do I proceed?

Had same problem and solved it without having to reinstore any music or movies:
1. Delete old Library file
2. Go to the 'Previous iTunes Libraries' folder and copy one of the earlier files - note, they have a date extension, e.g. 'iTunes Library 2011-11-01'.
3. Paste this file in your iTuners folder and rename file by removing the date extension - 'iTunes Library'
You should have all your music and paylists in tact, unless it was a really old previous file.

How to re-create iTunes Library.itl?

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