How to rebuild iTunes library

Is there a way to rebuild iTunes's library? Preferably without moving files around, etc. It'd be great if there was something like in Aperture, all you need to do is hold the alt key while you double click on the aperture library. Then it asks you: "Do you want to rebuild, restore, etc your library?"
Thanks

that link refers to a dead article?!?
Might anyone else know how to do this?
I am haveing weird issues with my library.
Some TV shows are showing up with a different TV shows artwork.
Some TV shows don't even appear on my ipad shared library.
I will assume a rebuild might help this????
Thanks

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Rebuilding ITunes Library

Just migrated to my new IMac, Itunes library is there ok with all its contents
It opens ok too but most of the tunes won't play
IT tells me it can't find the original and asks me to look for it
15,000 of it !!!
Any way to rebuild Itunes library so that IT plays the files ?

How did you do this migration, specifically how did you migrate your library? Importantly, do you let iTunes manage everything or do you manage your own media in which case you should only do so if you are 99.999% familiar with iTunes?
Have you tried finding a track when asked to do so? Have you tried letting iTunes find others as it will invite to do so when you have found one?

How to restore iTunes Library from Time Machine on Mavericks?

Please, can someone give me the instructions on how to restore iTunes Library from Time Machine on Mavericks?

See Pondini's TM FAQs, for details.

How to restore iTunes library after operating system changed?

How to restore iTune library after operating system changed on the laptop? The syn is not working because it doesn't recognize the computer.

Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device: Apple Support Communities
Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive: Apple Support Communities
Sync Your iOS Device with a New Computer Without Losing Data - How-To Geek

How to transfer iTunes library to an external drive (thats easy!) but keeping the playlists musics on the computer?

How to transfer iTunes library to an external drive (thats easy!) but keeping the playlists musics on the computer?
Many thanks!

Select a single song with a broken link, press CTRL+I to Get Info, cancel when asked to locate the track and take a look at the Summary tab. Post back where iTunes is looking for the file. It begins file://localhost
Where is it really?
Please post back both paths so that I can make suggestions. Full paths please, exact spellings, you can replace your user name with <User> if needed.
tt2

How to put itunes library on win 8 computer from existing library on win xp computer

how to put itunes library on windows 8 computer, from existing library on windows xp computer?

Hello there, WoodyCat2.
The following Knowledge Base article offers up some great steps for moving your music to another computer:
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527
Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Pedro.

How to transfer itunes library music from a macbook to other macbook

how to transfer itunes library music from macbook pro to and other macbook pro with the internet cable .

Move it to the /Users/Shared/ folder.
(58475)

HT1848 how to upload iTunes library from an iPad to a new computer

how to upload iTunes library from an iPad to a new computer

If you still have access to the old computer, see the following document:
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
If you need to recover the library from the iPad, there's some third party applications available for recovering content off a device. The following article is pretty old (2008) so it would be best to reality-check the capabilities and availability of the various listed items prior to opting for a particular product:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/copying-music-from-ipod-to-co mputer/P2

How to move iTunes Library/Media Files to external firewire Hard Drive and make it the master library, and then point iTunes to that when adding new content??

How to move iTunes Library/Media Files to external firewire Hard Drive and make it the master library, and then point iTunes to that when adding new content??

Copy your ENTIRE iTunes FOLDER to an External Drive...
Full Details Here > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
To Operate iTunes from the External Drive...
Start iTunes with the Option key held down and guide it to the new location of the library.
Be Sure the drive is Formatted Mac OS Extended (journaled)
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 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 restore iTunes library from TimeMachine external hard drive backup after clean install

I was not able to solve this problem, hence I decided to open this discussion.
1. Recently, I clean installed Yosemite so my new Mac is completely empty.
2. I have my time machine backup on my eternal hard drive and would like to restore only specific things - such as iTunes library.
3. I did not manually copy iTunes library to my drive, I did the TM backup only, but I also do have all the files in my own "music" folder I manually backed-up.
However, I cannot locate the library there, where is it?
How do I move the library to my new Mac and then establish a new source folder that would be on my drive?
PS: Previously, iTunes used my own music folder as a source = it contained all the music files. I had it on an external drive, later moved it to my Mac.
This leads me to the conclusion that my backup copy of iTunes library did not contain the files anyway.
Any advice?
Thank you in advance.

I am confused as to what you had or have where and when. The bottom line is, your library (for the standard user) is everything in the iTunes folder. As far as iTunes' organization and display is concerned, your library is a file called "iTunes Library.itl" which points to all the other host of files and folders normally in the iTunes folder which all work together.
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 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847 - plus supplemental information about organizing to new structure https://discussions.apple.com/message/26404702#26404702
Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7392 and making an iTunes library portable.
If you kept everything together in one place then you need to put the whole iTunes folder on the drive where you want it, start iTunes while holding down the option key and guide it to that .itl file. If things were split up and you had media on the external and the rest of the library on the internal you need to get them back to exactly where they were before. If you can't find that iTunes folder holding the critical .itl file anywhere then you have a bunch of media tracks and no organization and will need to rebuild the organization from ground level.

Rebuilding iTunes Library...What is the next step ?

Hi:
I tried follwoing your advice.
I can do the Ctrl-A to select all songs in the iTunes libary.
I can right-click and select Delete,
but when I do, I do not get the 3 options that you mentioned
(Cancel, Keep Files, and Move To Recycle Bin)
I get a dialog box stating:
Are you sure you want to remove the selcted songs from your iTunes library?
These songs will also be remove from any iPod or iPhone which synchronizes with your iTunes library.
Why am I not getting the options you stated above ?
I have seen you oprions on a Mac at best Buy, but I am running an HP laptop under Vista Home Premium.
Then has a Remove or Cancel button to be clicked.
If I follow through with the above, will it wipe out my music library ?
How do I go about rebuilding the databse ?
Thank you
DaleB
HP dv6500z laptop Windows Vista
==========================================================================
Toocan
Posts: 54
From: Gauteng, South Africa
Registered: Jul 23, 2008
Re: iTunes forgets my CD files...how do I rebuild tune database?
Posted: Aug 17, 2008 10:27 PM in response to: DaleB Reply Email
Sorry DaleB, I have redone my library so many times, I forgot about this prompt. Just click 'yes'/'remove' to that question.
Reloading the library will only make your iPod resync again, thats all.
Intel Windows XP Pro P4, 3.4GHz, 3GB RAM, XP SP3 - iPod 80GB Classic
===========================================================================
DaleB
Posts: 145
Registered: Jan 18, 2006
Re: iTunes forgets my CD files...how do I rebuild tune database?
Posted: Aug 18, 2008 4:02 AM in response to: Toocan Reply Email
Hi:
You tell me to click "Yes" / "Remove" when prompted by iTunes with
"Are you sure you want to remove the selcted songs from your iTunes library?"
but when I do, I do not get the 3 options that you mentioned
(Cancel, Keep Files, and Move To Recycle Bin) ?
What is the next step ???
I don't want to accidentally erase my Library.
Thank you
DaleB
==============================================================================
DaleB
Posts: 145
Registered: Jan 18, 2006
Re: iTunes forgets my CD files...how do I rebuild tune database?
Posted: Aug 18, 2008 4:13 AM in response to: Toocan Reply Email
Hi:
A related issue.
I made a copy (backup ?) of the Music folder in Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit OS, to my Desktop. If something corrupts the Music in iTunes, will this be a "good enough" backup to be able to restore the music by moving it back into the Music folder, or will soemthing be missing ?
Thanx !
DaleB
==============================================================================

What is it you want to do? If you want to clear your library and start it over with the same media files already on your computer, the way you are doing it is both more work and dangerous (you could lose files accidentally if you hit the wrong button).
Assuming you backed up your library elsewhere, you will have an "iTunes Music.itl" file, or at least you do with XP. I am not sure if Vista works any differently. This is the file that is the database file that contains all the info about what is in your library, playcounts, ratings, etc. If you don't have that backed up somewhere else with your library, you should do that. If you periodically back up just that file, you can rebuild your library assuming the media files are not lost.
So to clear our your current library, simply grab the iTunes Music.itl file in your iTunes folder and drag it to the desktop or the trash. Open iTunes and you should now see a blank library. Close iTunes, you will find a new iTunes Music.itl file has been created (representing the new blank library. To restore your old .tl file, simply drag your back up copy and overwrite the newly created blank library iTunes Music.itl file. That's it.
Alternatively, you can File -> Import the .xml file that is also created and maintained by iTunes in the same folder as the iTunes Music.itl file. But Apple does state the XML file doesn't quite have everything contained in the iTunes Music.itl file, although it isn't clear what exactly is missing, at least not to me.
Cheers,
Patrick

Rebuilding iTunes Library File

I have been using iTunes since the beginning and would like some feedback about the itunes Library file.
I have been using the same iTunes Library file since the beginning of the program and as my library grows and the version upgrades continue to modify the library file, is it time to create a new library file. Everything seems to be working ok except that it does take several seconds for iTunes to modify it's database when I make a change to a playlist or Tag info. I understand smart playlists occupy a lot of time and I do have quite a few of them, but would rebuilding the Library file help that at all.
Losing all of the playcounts and playlists is not acceptable.
TIA

Yes I do back up.
My iTunes Folder, which includes the Library File, the Music Folder, and the XML file are all stored on an external firewire drive. I have a symbolic link to the external drive located in the Music folder of my boot disk. This works as expected. The reason I do this is so I can take the external drive home from work, copy the symlink to my home Mac, replace the real folder with the symlink, open iTunes and all playlists and playcounts are intact. Basically pick up where I left off. The only downside to this is that I must have the volume available or iTunes will quit because it can't find or create a Library file. I can live with that. Simply rename the symlink temporarily and reopen.
My main question was referring to the Library file itself. Is it possible that as time went on and new versions of iTunes come out and the database needed updating, can the Library file become fragmented. If I remember correctly, initially Apple had the SoundCheck value stored in the Library file. Now it is stored directly in the mp3 or aac file. Does this now uneeded data still live in the library file?
I am thinking about making a third backup, create a new library and add all of my music to the empty library to see how if flies. I know playlists and counts will be gone, but may shed some light on how the Library file is managed.
Comments?
TIA

Computer formatted - want to rebuild iTunes library & get playlists back!

I had to get my computer formatted a while ago. My files were saved, including the iTunes folder in My Documents. I have downloaded iTunes and added my music to the library, but I have no idea how to get my playlists back. I've worked really hard to put them together. My iPod isn't synced yet, mostly because I don't want to lose my playlists and play counts, but I'm getting new albums and I will need to sync sometime. How can I rebuild my iTunes library, or at least get the playlists back? Please help, I beg you.

Hi
This came off these forums and was posted by MacMuse (I think)
" The manual way around this problem is to use the iPod in its alter ego - that of portable computer disk drive. Successfully tested under iTunes for Windows 4.2 & 4.5; Windows XP. And follow these directions LINE BY LINE or iTunes will erase everything on the iPod.
- Start with the iPod disconnected from the computer - DON'T CONNECT IPOD YET
- open iTunes
- open iTunes Preferences - this blocks iTunes from seeing an iPod connection; leave the preferences window up and running
- connect the iPod to the computer, wait about 15 seconds before continuing
- open 'My Computer'
- Tools menu, Folder Options, View tab, enable 'show hidden files /folders'
- open iPod icon in My Computer
- open iPod_Control folder
- you should see a folder named Music
- drag this folder to somewhere on your computer hard drive
- after the copy completes, right-click the new Music folder on your hard drive and select 'Properties'
- clear the checkmark next to 'Hidden'
- Close that explorer window
- eject iPod from System tray "Safely Remove Hardware" icon.
This icon looks like a small gray rectangle with a green arrow floating above it. It's only there when a removable device (like the iPod in this case) is attached to the computer. Right-click & select 'Safely remove..', then click 'Stop' in the next window, OK in the next window, and then Close to complete the ejection.
- disconnect the iPod from the computer
- go back to iTunes, cancel the preferences window
- File menu \ Add folder to Library \ find that Music folder copied over from the iPod
Your iTunes library should be back in action!"
This worked for me when I had to repartition and reformat my hard drive.

How to restore ITunes Library from Backup hard drive?

My computer crashed. I restored it -- but ITunes was wiped clean. I have all my music files and ITunes Library backed up on an external hard drive. How do I get the library from the external drive back to the computer with playlists, artwork and all intact? I guess it is more complex than just dragging the file labled library into ITunes becuase the computer won't let me do that. When I go to the original songs they are all individually in folders accorging to the artist and album -- that will take days to copy each album 1 by 1 -- I have 3,700 songs.

What you first need to do is Place the music it the Location they was in before you restored. If you had songs on the C drive in My Music folder, place them there. If iTunes was reading the music from the external, not much you have to do sincve there already there.
Now with the Library file you have to make iTUnes take the file and recreate it, this is explained here http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93313

How to rebuild iTunes library

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