I have just bought a new computer with Windows 7 and I need to transfer all my I tunes records from my Windows Xp computer. How do I do this without losing any of my songs?

Question

I have just bought a Compaq Desktop Computer with Windows 7 but I do not want to set itup until I know how to transfer my 1800 songs from my ITUNES library on this old Windows XP Pro to a new set up on my Compaq. If anybody could please help me in simple language ( I am only a user with very little knowledge and nil jargon) I should be most grateful. Is there anybody out there to solve my dilemma?

Answer 1

Did you purchase all your music from iTunes, or import it from CDs?
If you've purchased all your music from iTunes, it now keeps track of your purchased items. All you would need to do is download iTunes on your new computer and log in with your Apple ID (the account you set up on iTunes). Then on the right hand side (in the bar) near the top there is a section that says "Purchased" *NEW*.  There it will show you all your music and give you an option to re-download it on to your new computer. *You will need to authorize the new computer and deactivate the old one if you're not using it anymore*
If you imported your songs (or otherwise obtained), my best suggestion to you is to get a USB stick/thumb drive/external hard drive and copy all your music from your old computer on to the USB stick. (You can do it with a network, but that's assuming you have one set up already in your home).
To do that, you need to go to Music > iTunes > iTunes Library (folder)  (this may not be exact as I use a Mac. I'm going from memory here). Right-click the folder and click "Copy". Go to My Computer and click on whatever drive is your external/USB stick (would be like E:\ or something). Double click on that, then right click in the next window and click Paste. This will copy your entire iTunes Library on to the separate hard drive.
Once it is finished (and with 1800 songs it will take a while, so go read a book or something), properly eject the external hard drive and plug it in to your new computer. Open Music > iTunes and do the same process to copy and paste the folder into there.
Once that is finished, open iTunes and all your music should be there. If not, go File > Import Folder and then find your iTunes Music folder and click it, then click Import and it will import them into iTunes for you.
Hope this helps and is clear enough for you. If you have any other questions, please ask and I'll do my best