I want to recreate my iTunes library

I have my Library [folders and everything] on an external drive and backed up. I consolidated my music etc. and now items which were available - and after spotlight check still are - are not 'found' and there are too many to Locate to handle it that way [unless someone knows an automator script?] Looking at the iTunes folder it appears to me that it consolidated everything into an iTunes Music Folder inside the original one...doubled the size of the iTunes folder.
It would be much easier for me to just back up everything and then do a totally new blank library and add to that library what I want = it's not a major issue to lose playlists but I do have other things which I don't want to lose = iTunesU, Podcasts, Mobile Apps etc - and the library now does sync/backup with an iPhone, iPod and two iPads so of course don't want to lose that.
Any suggestions as to how best to handle this??? I don't care about having dups - I have Dupin and TidyUp and can handle them that way. But I really want everything in one place to start then go from there.

This may be what you need: How to re-create your iTunes library: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1451
However, you could also try this first: Use the iTunes File menu -> Add to library and select the iTunes music folder. This will add anything not already in iTunes.

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Can I recreate an iTunes library on a restored PC from my iPod?

What happened to me went like this:
I had my iTunes library which synced to my iPod perfectly.
Then one day, my PC crashed and when I formatted it, I copied all my music from my iPod to my computer and reinstalled iTunes like a new software.
What I would like to be able to do is to recreate my iTunes library from
my iPod, which hasn't been synced yet and still holds the "old" library.
Is there any way I can do that?
Thank you all in advance.

For iTunes version 7 or later, then you can transfer purchased iTunes store music from the iPod to an authorized computer by using the "file/transfer purchases from iPod" menu. Note that the maximum of 5 authorized computers applies here.
Find out how to do that here.
How to copy iTunes purchases from an iPod to a computer.
For all other non purchased content (your own CDs etc) try this method which works on some Windows PCs.
Enable your iPod for disk use.
See: iPod Disk Use.
Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.
The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), check out the instructions/suggestions here.
Music from iPod to computer (using option 2). This a manual method using "hidden folders" and although it works, it is a little more involved than other methods.
Much easier ways are to use one of the many 3rd party programs that copy music from the iPod to the computer.
One of the most recommended is Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.
Another free program is Pod Player.
SharePod is also freeware.

HT1660 I want to put my itunes library onto new computer, can i just sign in and bring up the library without having to back it up and reinstall it all

I want to transfer my itunes library to a new computer can i just sign into my apple account and transfer all the tunes or do i have to back it all up and reinstall?

I want to transfer my itunes library to a new computer can i just sign into my apple account and transfer all the tunes or do i have to back it all up and reinstall?

I want to access my itunes library from my new laptop but need to authorise this computer and don't know how to do it?

I have a new laptop and want to access my itunes library but can't as I need to authorise this computer. Anyone know how to do that?

Press CTRL+B to enable the menu bar.
tt2

I have a new iPad and want to transfer my iTunes library FROM my laptop TO my iPad.

I have a new iPad 4 and want to transfer my iTunes library FROM my laptop TO my iPad. How do I do this?

See this -> Sync your iPhone, iPad and iPod with iTunes using USB - Apple Support

Is there a way to move music I had on my iPhone 4 to my new macbook air, using iTunes it seems to want to synch to iTunes library where I don't have any music stored?

is there a way to move music I had on my iPhone 4 to my new macbook air, using iTunes it seems to want to synch to iTunes library where I don't have any music stored?

Hello KM47,
It soundsl ike you are needing to copy your iTunes purchases to your computer rather than sync it at this point. You can use the following article to transfer your purchases with the following article:
iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iOS device or iPod to a computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1848
If you have your library stored on another computer, you can also copy the library to the new MacBook Air with this article:
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
All the very best,
Sterling

I got a new pc. I want to transfer my itunes library over to the nepc even tho some of the songs I didn't purchase from itunes.

I got a new pc and I want to transfer my itunes library to my new pc. Not all the songs are purchased from itunes. How do I get all the songs to transfer?

iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Quick answer if you let iTunes manage your music: Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive. Start iTunes with the option (shift on Windows) key held down and guide it to the new location of the library.

I just bought a new Mac and I want to transfer some data (not all) from my old Mac. Basically, I want to move my itunes library, iphoto library, and a few documents. I have not even turned on my new Mac yet. Is the best way by an external hard drive?

I just bought a new Mac and I want to transfer some data (not all) from my old Mac. Basically, I want to move my itunes library, iphoto library, and a few documents. I have not even turned on my new Mac yet. Is the best way by an external hard drive?

If both have Firewire ports then you can accomplish your goal by using Target Disk Mode. If this is not possible then you can do using an external drive or if you have a local network connect both to your network and use filesharing between the two computers.
File Sharing on Macs
Mac 101- File Sharing

I want to relocate my iTunes library on a NAS drive and stream to apple tv2 and DLNA tbs around the house is this possible and if so which is the best NAS drive to buy???

I want to relocate my iTunes library on a NAS drive and stream to apple tv2 and DLNA tbs around the house is this possible and if so which is the best NAS drive to buy???

ged2001 wrote:
I want to relocate my iTunes library on a NAS drive and stream to apple tv2 and DLNA TV's around the house is this possible and if so which is the best NAS drive to buy???
i don't have any experience with DLNA TV's but i recently moved my iTunes library to a NAS. streaming content to airport express remote speakers and TV2 works great. however, i have all my gear hardwired to my time capsule (except the airport express) so i'm not sure how well streaming e.g. HD movies to TV over wifi works.
i have a Synology DiskStation 411j and am very happy with it.

I'm moving to an imac from a PC. I want to move my itunes library from the PC to my new imac. What is the best method and where can I find instructions?

I'm moving to an imac from a PC. I want to move my itunes library from the PC to my new imac. What is the best method and where can I find instructions?

Move iTunes from PC to MAC, http://www.macworld.com/article/146958/2010/03/move_itunes_windows_mac.html

My computer died. Can I recreate my iTunes library from my old hard drive?

My computer died and I had not backed up my iTunes library (I know, I know). The crash was not due to a corrupted hard drive, however, and I can access all the files from my old hard drive with my new computer, including any iTunes files. Can I recreate my iTunes library from these files on my new computer?
Thanks!!

Yes.
Transfer the iTunes named folder located in the Music folder from the hard drive on the failed computer to the appropriate location on your new computer - with iTunes quit when doing so.
In Windows Vista and Windows 7, click the triangles next to the folders and drives to navigate. In Windows Vista, the default location is: \username\Music\iTunes. In Windows 7, the default location is: \username\My Music\iTunes.

HT1473 I am having to recreate my itunes library and do not understand why prior album artwork appeared in my older library but not the new library? Is there some way to scan itunes for missing album artwork?

I am having to recreate my itunes library and do not understand why prior album artwork appeared in my older library but not the new library? Is there some way to scan itunes for missing album artwork?

do you have a strongly recommended default "managed" library (the iPhoto preference to "copy imported items to the iPhoto library is in its checked state) or a referenced library - you have unchecked that option?
It sounds like you have a referenced library and are now experiancing one of the very siginificant drawbacks of a referenced library and one of the many reasons they are strongly not recommended
Also note that iPhoto '11 may use alises in the originals folder as part of the upgrade
It is important that we understand exactly what you have and what is not sorking - what error messages you are getting
You must NEVER make any changes of any sort to the structure of content of the iPhoto library - there are no user servicable parts in it -- and you can not rebuild yoru librtary - only iPhoto ir iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - can rebuild a library unless you are a SQL programmer and understand the structure that iPhoto uses
LN

I want to remove my itunes library to a thumb make memory space - how can I make sure I keep all playlists and organizing intact?

I want to remove my itunes library to a thumb make memory space - how can I make sure I keep all playlists and organizing intact?

Do you mean a flash drive? I don't know if I would trust one of those entirely. Make sure you make a backup.
Copy the entire iTunes folder to the flash drive. Start iTunes while holding down the option/alt key and guide it to the library on the flash drive. If you forget to plug in the flash drive before starting iTunes in the future you will have to do the option start thing again.

I want to download my itunes library to my shuffle. can't seem to figure out how to do this. can you help me?

I want to download my itunes library to my shuffle. Can't seem to figure out how to do this. Can anybody help?

You probably need to set up automatic syncing. Select the shuffle in iTunes. You see a row of "tabs" (buttons) starting with Summary. Click on Music next to Summary. This is the iPod's Music tab, where you tell iTunes how to sync songs to the shuffle.
Check the box for Sync Music. If your iTunes music library is small enough to fit on the shuffle, you can choose to sync Entire music library. Then click Apply.
Otherwise, you can choose to sync Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres, then select (checkmark) the playlists, artists, albums, and/or genres that you want on the shuffle, from the lists below.
Here's one convenient way to set it up. In your iTunes library, create a new regular playlist; call it something like "iPod Songs" (or whatever you want). From your iTunes music library, load that iPod Songs playlist with ALL the songs you want on the shuffle. On the shuffle's Music tab, find and checkmark that iPod Songs playlist (under Playlists). When you click Apply, those songs sync to the shuffle. Going forward, to update songs on the shuffle, just update that iPod Songs playlist in iTunes (add and/or remove songs) and then connect your shuffle. iTunes automatically updates the shuffle with the same changes. If the iPod is already connected, click the Sync button to update the iPod.
If you have any specific question, please post back.

I want to restore my iTunes Library from Time Machine

I want to restore my iTunes Library from Time Machine, but when I enter the Time Machine, I don't know where to look for it. Can anyone help?
Thanks,
Paul

Your iTunes Library is typically in…
Your home directory > Music > iTunes
… and if you restore that entire folder it will revert your iTunes Library in total to the state it was as of the date and time you select in Time Machine.

I want to recreate my iTunes library

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