HT4527 Problems importing playlists into ITunes on a new computer

Question

I followed directions from "HT4527: iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer" by using home sharing.  The songs transferred without problem.  I am having problems moving the playlists (over 100 playlists).  I exported the library file with the playlists and saved it to the new computer in the same subdirectory with ITunes.  I have typed out the library file to verify the playlists exist, but when I try to import playlists, the lists that appear on the target computer are either empty or duplicates of the playlists that existed on the target computer.  I am using the latest version of ITunes.  The transferring computer is a Toshiba laptop running Windows 7.  The target computer is an HP Pavilion computer running Windows XP.  Thanks for any help you can give. I have spent many hours trying to transfer the songs and playlists.

Answer 1

If you still have the computer with your original library these are two possible approaches that will normally work to move an existing library to a new computer, without needing to export and import playlists.
Method 1
Backup the library with this User Tip.
Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer want to access protected content on it.
Restore the backup to your new computer using the same tool used to back it up.
Keep your backup up-to-date in future.
Method 2
Connect the two computers to the same network. Share your <User's Music> folder from the old computer and copy the entire iTunes library folder into the <User's Music> folder on the new one. Again, deauthorize the old computer if no longer required.
Both methods should give the new computer a working clone of the library that was on the old one. As far as iTunes is concerned this is still the "home" library for your devices so you shouldn't have any issues with iTunes wanting to erase and reload.
I'd recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library.
Note if you have failed to move contacts and calendar items across you should create one dummy entry of each in your new profile and iTunes should  merge the existing data from the device.
If your media folder has been split out from the main iTunes folder you may need to do some preparatory work to make it easier to move. See make a split library portable.
Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library or a backup then then see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device for advice on how to set up your devices with a new library with the maximum preservation of data.
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