Incremental backups of iTunes Library?

Every few months I copy the complete iTunes directory from my iMac to a USB based hard-drive. As the library grows, it takes longer each time. Is there a utility to copy/update only whats changed, i.e. a incremental backup?

Bill
I use DejaVu for just this purpose with both my iTunes, iPhoto and other files.
Regards
TD

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"Backup" of iTunes library didn't load everything.

I’m new to iTunes, so please bear with me.
I’m now running iTunes 11.3 under Windows 7 Home Premium SP1.
My son-in-law bought a used PC from a friend some years ago and “inherited” an iTunes installation with hundreds of songs along with it. He occasionally synched his ipod with the PC, and I created what I thought were backups a few times by simply copying the primary folder to an external drive.
I recently decided to do some much-needed housecleaning, and among other things, I completely removed all parts of the current iTunes environment. I installed iTunes 11.3 and added the latest backup files from the external drive with the copy option. I was surprised to find that iTunes skipped a lot of files on the way in without any explanation. I need help in determining why this happened and what I can do about it, if anything.
I’m sure that you need more information in order to analyze this problem, but I don’t know what you need; therefore, I ask that you tell me what you need, and how and where to retrieve it, and then we can get down to business.
Thanks.

Technically your son-in-law should have wiped media that came with the computer and put on his own content, unless the original owner of the computer was giving up their ownership of the content at the same time and not keeping copies.
With that out of the way iTunes normally stores all media content inside the iTunes Media folder unless you change some options. By default the preference "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to the library" is enabled. If this is turned off and you drag in files stored somewhere else, like an external hard drive, memory stick, desktop, downloads folder etc, iTunes will refer to those files at their original locations.
This might explain why there were fewer files imported than expected. That said if you restored the library correctly there should have been no need to import anything.
Alternatively there could be a permissions issue. See Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows for details.
Or if the files were in .wav format they don't carry a tag, in which case you might find the missing content is all in the unknown artist, unknown album area of the library. Should this be the problem then if the files are in the correct artist & album folders in the backup, or you have access to older .itl files stored in the Previous iTunes Libraries folder, I have techniques for reconstructing the lost data.
To backup an iTunes library effectively see Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy.
tt2

HT1751 I am trying to backup my iTunes library onto an external hard drive but it won't complete due to 'insufficient privileges for some of the items'. Am I doing something wrong and is there a solution to this problem?

Hi All,
I am currently trying to backup my iTunes library onto an external hard drive so that I can copy it onto my new Macbook Pro. I have been following the steps posted on the Apple website however each time I get a dialogue box stating:
'The operation cannot be completed because you do not have sufficient privileges for some of the items'.
Is this because I have items that were bought under another persons iTunes account? If so, is there a solution to this problem? Or am I doing something completely wrong?
Thanks in advance,
Sbrooks19

Go through the below forum with similar issue and follow the process mentioned by "Macjack" in the beginning.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4499820

HT1373 How do I backup my itunes library to an external drive

My iTunes library is unstable. I have two questions:
1) How do I backup my iTunes library to an external drive?
2) Why am I constatntly prompted to add my computer to iCloud when I have done so multiple times?
When opening iTunes, I receive he error message: "Please Sign In Again, iTunes Match has encountered an error. Please choose Sign Out and he Sign In from the iTunes Store menu and try again."
I tried downloading and installing/repairing the latest iTunes. That did not correct the problem.
Also, I have sync'd to iCloud. Every time I select iMatch from iTunes, I am prompted to Add This Computer to iCloud. I have already done this multiple times.

Hello cijackson,
You posted your question in the iTunes for Mac Forum. You may get better results on the iTunes for Windows forum. Best of luck > https://discussions.apple.com/community/itunes/itunes_for_windows?view=overview

How do I backup my itunes library to cd?

Hi.
Can anyone please post the link to support or is able to give me instructions on how to backup my itunes library to a cd?
Many thanks.

iTunes won't do it any more. You can use whatever 3rd party CD/DVD burning tools came with your machine, but I'd recommend you use an external hard drive and backup the library with this User Tip.
tt2

How do I backup my iTunes library to an external drive?

Hi there,
Is there any way of backing up my itunes library direct to a backup device such as an external hard drive or online back up software? The only option I can see is to back up to disc but that will take 50 discs!

*Fast backup for iTunes library (Windows Only)*
Grab SyncToy 2.1, a free tool from MS. This can be used to copy your entire iTunes library (& other important data folders) onto another hard drive or network share. You can then use SyncToy periodically to synchronise or echo your library to the backup. A preview will show which files need to be updated giving you a chance to spot unexpected changes and during the run only the new or updated files will be copied saving lots of time. And if your media is all organised below the main iTunes folder then you should also be able to open the backup library on any system running the same version of iTunes.
tt2

Help! When I go to backup my iTunes library it freezes my dvd drive!

I have (in the past) been able to backup my itunes library onto CDs. However, I went to backup today and it freezes my dvd drive. The first disk (CD-R) will burn, but then it won't eject after iTunes says to insert a new blank disc. I can't even access my dvd drive unless I restart my computer!
I have recently bought a bunch of stuff and I dont want to lose it.
Any suggestions?
Thanks for your help!

Here is an old post which might help you.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/9644723#9644723

How do I backup my Itune Library and Playlists to my Backup drive?

How do I backup my Itune Library and Playlists to my Backup drive? Where are they stored on my computer?

For iPhoto, see > iPhoto: How to move the Library folder to a new location
For iTunes, see > iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder

How do I backup the iTunes Library to an external hard drive?

I have no space on my computer anymore for anything and I need to export and save all my music on an external hard drive (MYbook) is that possible??? Do I really need to just backup everything on OUTDATED CDs or what???!!! That just seems like an insane process and I know it's possible for MAC users...

*Fast backup for iTunes library (Windows Only)*
Grab SyncToy 2.1, a free tool from MS. This can be used to copy your entire iTunes library (& other important data folders) onto another hard drive or network share. You can then use SyncToy periodically to synchronise or echo your library to the backup. A preview will show which files need to be updated giving you a chance to spot unexpected changes and during the run only the new or updated files will be copied saving lots of time. And if your media is all organised below the main iTunes folder then you should also be able to open the backup library on any system running the same version of iTunes.
tt2

Is there a way i can backup my itunes library to a zip drive?

i have an iomega zip drive and 250mb zip disc and i didnt know if theres a way to backup my itunes library to my zip drive.since i'v spent a lot of money on songs from itunes music store and dont want to lose them if my computer gets an virus or a glitch and erases my songs.now i know i can put my songs to an cd but i dont know how to that and if an cd can hold 150 songs and 11.1 hours since that how many songs and hours i have on my itunes.so can some one please tell me how to backup my itunes library to a zip drive or if i even can.
thanks in advance.
itunes 6.0.4 and ipod nano 2g Windows XP

If your tracks will fit on a Zip drive, yes, you can use a Zip to back up. A CD holds about 650MB, so a 250MB Zip disk will hold less than half what a CD will. Just locate the tracks in your iTunes Music folder and drag them onto the Zip. You can use multiple disks if you have more tracks than will fit onto one Zip disk.
Zip disks are notoriously unreliable, though - as bad or worse than floppy disks - so it wouldn't be my first choice for a backup medium. Of the couple of dozen Zip disks I used to own, over 75% of them eventually failed.

What is the name of the folders which are your backup of Itunes library? I am recovering from a virus, have no workable desktop in Win XP, but can search and find files and folders. I would like to move these backup files to a new computer

what is the name of the folders which are the backup of Itunes library? I am recovering from a virus, have no workable desktop in Win XP, but can search and find files and folders. I would like to move these backup files to a new computer, authorize it and sync with Iphone 3Gs and Ipod 5th gen.
I

I second the whole iTunes folder approach.
If for some reason you have split the media folder from the library files then the media folder needs to restored to the same path it used to have while the library files can be copied into the music folder of your new profile.
If in dobut, backup up the entire Documents and Settings folder before wiping the infected drive, but be selective about what you restore as many viruses drop active components capable of reinfecting the compuer in the temp folders and internet caches. It is much easier to backup more than you need than to discover after the fact that you no longer have access to some vital project you'd been storing in a folder on the desktop.
tt2

Can I no longer backup my Itunes library to a dvdr since I have Itunes 10.5? If not can I somehow revert back to a previous version of Itunes to do this?

Can I no longer backup my Itunes library to a dvd+r? If not, is there a way to revert back to a previous version of Itunes like 10.3?

Will this work?
Yes, but it can't be done from within iTunes. Choose to consolidate it from the Library section of the File menu, and then move the iTunes folder to the drive.
I could try to backup to CD-R, but one of my albums is 708.6 MB big, which is too big to fit on one CD-R.
That will work. Unless a single song or video is too large to fit on a CD, iTunes can back it up to a CD.
(42842)

How do I backup my Itune library in Version 11 ,

How do I backup my Itune library in Version 11 ,
The link under File/Devices/ Backup / Restore backup are greyed out!
I want to buck up all of my music and misic videos TO DVD

I presume your songs were on the computer before you updated to the recent version. If so see Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash or
Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device. For backup advice see the user tip Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy.
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "print" your library, but I have a script called ExportCSV that can be used to export selected data which can then be read with a spreadsheet such as Excel.
tt2

I can't backup my iTunes library.

I recently downloaded the updated version of iTunes, so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it, but when I go to File > Library, the option to backup my iTunes isn't under Library like it's supposed to be. Any suggestions as to what I should do or where I should go?

turingtest2 wrote:
I'd agree with EE, backup to disc is unlikely to return...
Fast backup for iTunes library (Windows)
Grab SyncToy 2.1, a free tool from MS. This can be used to copy your entire iTunes library (& other important data folders) onto another hard drive or network share. You can then use SyncToy periodically to synchronise or echo your library to the backup. A preview will show which files need to be updated giving you a chance to spot unexpected changes and during the run only the new or updated files will be copied saving lots of time.
If your media is all organised below the main iTunes folder then you should also be able to open the backup library on any system running the same version of iTunes, regardless of the drive letter or path it appears on.
tt2
I totally agree with this method, if you're using Windows you should have SyncToy.

Backup of iTunes library

I have my iTunes library on it's own internal hard drive and want to back it up to another internal hard drive using carbon copy cloner. Is this a good way to go or is there a better program to use? The initial backup I will do as back up everything and then schedule the backup once a week as an incremental backup. I am also doing this for the operating system. Any advice or better ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

wlfranks wrote:
I have my iTunes library on it's own internal hard drive and want to back it up to another internal hard drive using carbon copy cloner. Is this a good way to go or is there a better program to use?
that is an excellent way doing it. SuperDuper would be another great app for the purpose.
personally, i'm using ChronoSync
JGG

Incremental backups of iTunes Library?

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