I am trying to transfer my Itunes library from my old computer to my new computer, why is this such a difficult task?

I am trying to get my new computer up and running. When I tried to transfer my itunes library to the itunes on the new computer, I lost most of the music. Anyone have a easy way to make the transfer?

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.
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), then guide it to the iTunes Library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.
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
Windows users see tip at: https://discussions.apple.com/message/18879381
2011 Transferring your iTunes library - http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive/ - An article with good background information, particularly if you are not sure your media files are all grouped for quick solution above. Unfortunately it uses the single term "transferring library" for two very different moves; relocating just your media (not recommended unless you really need this configuration) and relocating media+database (really your whole "library"). Make sure you understand the difference before electing to move only media.
If you put it 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.)

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I am trying to transfer my itunes library from my old Mac to my new Mac; however, all that transfers is the music I downloaded from itunes. It does not transfer the music I downloaded from my cd's.

How do I transfer my itunes library from my old Mac to my new Mac? When I try all that transfers is what I downloaded from Itunes. It does not transfer the music I downloaded from my cd's/.

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.
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), then guide it to the iTunes Library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.
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
Windows users see tip at: https://discussions.apple.com/message/18879381
2011 Transferring your iTunes library - http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive/ - An article with good background information, particularly if you are not sure your media files are all grouped for quick solution above. Unfortunately it uses the single term "transferring library" for two very different moves; relocating just your media (not recommended unless you really need this configuration) and relocating media+database (really your whole "library"). Make sure you understand the difference before electing to move only media.
If you put it 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.)

I tried to transfer my iTunes library from my old PC to my new Mac, and...?

I found a support page from Apple that would allow me to transfer PART of the iTunes library I shared with several other people to my new Macbook Pro. This process involved consolidating all of my music, putting that folder on my sixth generation iPod Nano, plugging my iPod into my new computer and copied/pasted my consolidated music files from my iPod to the folder in Finder called "iTunes". So why is it that when I open iTunes, my music isn't in my library?

My experience is with older versions of iTunes but...
Did you copy a cross a whole iTunes folder with a library or just music files?
Since you said you copied part of a music collection I'm not clear if you copied the library files or just the music files.
If you just copied music files these will have to be added to the library. You can do that through consolidate, or just drag the file to the iTunes window.
If you added a new library you can try holding down the shift key while starting iTunes then point it to the library file location.
IMHO the instructions in http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1329 are incredibly long and I don't have time right now to check them step for step.

I am trying to move my itunes library from my old pc to my new imac, home sharing is on and I can see the shared library. My problem is that when I check the shared library to import it to my imac I cannot import it. Can anyone help me?

I am trying to move my itunes library from my old pc to my new imac, home sharing is on and I can see the shared library. My problem is that when I check the shared library to import it to my imac I cannot import it. Can anyone help me?

You need to transfer the iTunes Library from the most recent backup you made before the hard drive was replaced.
You can't transfer the full iTunes Library from the iPad back to iTunes.
There are third-party Windows applications that will transfer data from an iOS device, but they don't re-create the iTunes Library exactly as it was before.

HT204053 how do I transfer my itunes library from my ipod touch to a new computer

how do I transfer or copy music from my itunes library from my ipod touch to a new computer

The ipod is not a storage/backup device. The sync is one way - computer to ipod. The exception is itunes purchases ; Dile>Transfer Purchases
Copy everything form your old computer to your enw one.

How do i transfer my iTunes library from my old mac to my new mac book.Only items purchased from iTunes are showing up and most of my library is from imported CDs

have bought a mac book and when i tried to download my itunes library its only showing items purchased from the apple store. As most of my music has been imported from CDs this is very frustrating. How can i get the rest of my library onto the new macbook.

Hi jayney61!
Here is an article that will help you accomplish this:
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527
Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. Have a good one!
-Braden

I'm trying to transfer my iTunes library from my old Windows-based Acer to my new MacBook Pro. The Acer has two hard drives, and I've had to split my music between the two drives in order to hold it all.

Neither drive has enough room to consolidate the entire library. And over time (for reasons I just chalk up to the Acer being a bad computer), I've inadvertently created multiple "libraries". After everything went missing somehow a couple of years ago, I had to import a previous library called "Previous iTunes Library," and my library has annoyingly enough been called that ever since. What's the best way to make all this get fixed into a new complete library on my new Mac? I have an external hard drive, and if I cleared everything else off of it, it might be able to store the entire consolidated library. Would that work?

It sounds like the library might have been placed in your Home/Library folder which is invisible.
NOTE: In Lion and Mountain Lion the Home/Library folder is now invisible. To make it permanently visible enter the following in the Terminal application window: chflags nohidden ~/Library and press the Return key - 10.7: Un-hide the User Library folder.
For Mavericks, 10.9, go to your Home folder and use the View ➙ Show View Options menu to bring the this window:
When you find the iPhoto library move it to your Pictures folder.
OT

How do I transfer my iTunes library from my iPhone 3GS to my new computer (old computer died)

I have an iPhone 3GS 32GB with 20GB of music on it from a previous computer's iTunes library. I bought a new laptop (Sony Vaio with Windows 7) and downloaded iTunes (v10.5.3.3 and latest iOS on the iPhone). iTunes lets me transfer purchases back to the laptop but not non-purchased material (i.e. stuff I imported from CDs I own). Is there any way of transferring ALL the material back to the new laptop without re-copying every CD again?
I tried to follow the manual management option, but Windows Explorer only recognises my iPhone as Internal Storage for the camera files.
I spent hours today reading forums/communities to help me overcome the problem and to avoid asking a repeat question but nothing seems to have worked. I can't believe I'm the only one with this problem.
Thanks

" iTunes lets me transfer purchases back to the laptop but not non-purchased material (i.e. stuff I imported from CDs I own)."
That is correct. The music sync is one way - computer to iphone. The exception is itunes purchases. the iphone is not a backup device and does not function as a storage drive.
it has always been very basic to always maintain a backup copy of your computer for just such an occasion.n Use your backup copy to put everything back.

HT1338 How do I transfer my iTunes library from my old laptop to my new one?

So, the other day, I went and bought a new laptop as my old one was getting worn out and slow, but my entire iTunes library is on my old laptop and I don't know how to transfer it over to my new laptop. Can anyone help?

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527

HT3819 I have a new HP computer and would like to transfer my iTunes library from my old PC

I have been trying to transfer my iTunes library from my old PC to our new HP PC (Windows 8.1). We did back up our old PC files to an external harddrive but the iTunes files are 'jumbled'when I open them on the new PC and not in any format - only streams of titles etc., Is there a simple way to transfer my library to the new PC. My iPod has my library on it - can I syn from iPod to PC? Thankyou for any suggestions/help I can get.

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 see this migrate iTunes library post by turingtest2

I am in the process of trying to transfer my iTunes library from one computer to another. Some of the music/film info has been edited (by me) in my library (using get info). When put onto new computer the info has gone back to before i edited it.. Help!?

I am in the process of trying to transfer my iTunes library from one computer to another. Some of the music/film info has been edited (by me) in my library (using get info). When put onto new computer (following apple's instructions- using an external hard drive) the info has gone back to how it was before i edited it.. Help!?

Hello,
I would recommend taking a look at the article below for more information about migrating your iTunes library.
iTunes for Windows: Moving your iTunes Media folder
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1364
-Griff W.

I have two acounts one my pc and trying to transfer my itunes library from one acount to another and thoughts on how

i have two acounts one my pc and trying to transfer my itunes library from one acount to another and thoughts on how

Hi there,
You may find the article below helpful.
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer'
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
-Griff W.

I recently bought a new i phone 4 as my other one had seen beter days and for the last sevral days have been trying to transfer my photos ect from my old phone to my new one after I've plugged my old iPhone into iTunes to back it up i then plug in my i

I recently bought a new i phone 4 as my other one had seen beter days and for the last sevral days have been trying to transfer my photos ect from my old phone to my new one after I've plugged my old iPhone into iTunes to back it up i then plug in my one to transfer it over I've had no luck I've tryed restoring my new phone to the last time i backed up my old files the phone restores but always to its own backup point wen i first connected it to iTunes can anyone help me please?

Since this is the second computer you've had this problem with, I recommend you look for answers on the iPhone forum. My thinking is it is an iPhone issue rather than a computer issue (unless it is some software incompatibility).

How do I transfer my iTunes library from my old computer to my MacBook Pro?

How do I transfer my iTunes library from my old computer to my MacBook Pro?

Just copy the entire Music folder from the old Mac to the new Mac, then click on the folder and Get Info and change the permisisons and click the spoke to "apply to enclosed items"
Ideally it's best to use the same user name on the new machine, this way all your iTunes playlists work and there is no need to change permissions.
You can create the same named user by creating another account in System Preferences >accounts
If the old computer is a PC then just copy the old Music folder to the Mac onto the desktop, then use iTunes to import the music files.
If the old comptuer is dead, then you can extract the hard drive(if it's still working) and use a IDE/SATA to USB adapter cable to access the internal drive.
Mac's should be able to read NTFS format of PC's, just not write to it. But if it's not working there is software to install to allow the Mac to read that NTFS drive format, just search online.

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

I am trying to transfer my Itunes library from my old computer to my new computer, why is this such a difficult task?

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