Installing library to a new computer
I know this is a pretty common problem. I bought a new laptop and want to take my library from my old PC to my new laptop. What is the process for this exactly? Is this possible? I know the Ipod shuffle I have is limited but do I really need to burn all 500 of my CDS
Go to the top of this page and click on the support button.
In the "Search Support" box type "Windows move itunes library" or something similar and you will get this article and several others:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iTunesWin/8.0/en/15482.html
Similar Messages
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I found information on how to transfer my itunes library to a new computer. I am going to use an external hard drive for this to transfer my itunes folder to the new computer.
I will then download and install a new version of itunes on my new computer.
My question is this. When I do this, will itunes have all my album artwork for all my library? My library has a lot of my own music and I have spent quite a bit of time copying album artwork that itunes did not add. I am really hoping I don't have to do this again!
Thanks for your help!If you follow the directions in this Link...
Copy iTunes to an External Drive
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
Everything should be carried across... -
I have just installed itunes on my new PC and am trying to add some songs onto an ipod. The songs were purchases from the Itunes store. I go through the process of drag and drop onto the device (its the same with my ipad and iphone) but it won't work. Since installing itunes on my new computer I have bought an album off itunes and it downloaded with no problems - but any of my old purchases won't transfer over. Not sure what I am doing wrong. I haven't as yet transferred over my music libray from my old PC (songs that I burnt ) so not sure if it would be the same. I would have thought that songs that have been purchased in itunes should easily transfer. Help please?
Move the files for your new purchases out to the desktop.
Migrate your library properly from your old computer as given below.
Move the files stored on the desktop into the Automatically Add to iTunes folder.
Migrate iTunes Library
These are two possible approaches that will normally work to move an existing library to a new computer.
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 iOS devices and haven't moved your contacts and calendar items across then 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.
tt2 -
Do I have to install itunes on my new computer before I can transfer my library?
Do I have to install iTunes on my new computer before I can transfer my account and library, and how do I do this if I had 9 on my old computer and there is iTunes 10 now?
No you do not have to uninstall iTunes on the PC in order to unsync with the Mac. And where you got that information about having iTunes content on two products only is beyond me. You can associate your Apple ID and iTunes content with up to 10 devices but no more than 5 devices can be computers.
If you could copy the iTunes library to your new Mac, that would be the ideal thing to do in order to transfer the iTunes library over. That would make the process pretty easy. You can also download most purchased content again as long as you use the same Apple ID and you could move content into your iTunes library that way.
You will need to authorize the new Mac for your iTunes content. Launch iTunes on the Mac and got to Store>authorize this computer.
There are many articles that will guide you through copying the iTunes library to the Mac and you can look through a bunch of them here.
https://www.google.com/search?q=copy%20itunes%20library%20to%20new%20mac
If you need to download past purchase ....
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519
And this is a very informative user tip that will tell you how to move all of your iPad contents into the Mac if you cannot copy and transfer the iTunes library.
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3141 -
How do I access my music library when I have just installed itunes on my new computer. It only shows 17 songs in my library.
See this migrate iTunes library post or Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
tt2 -
I'm in the process of switching computers. Is it necessary for me to back my itunes music, or will my library come up when I install itunes on my new computer?
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. -
HT1391 how can i install my library on my new computer?
How can I install my music library on my new computer? I do not have the old one available.
Copy it from the old computer to the new computer.
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If i install itunes to a new computer will i have access to download my itunes music library from icloud?
It depends on what country you're in, whether or not you can authorize that computer, and whether or not the songs are still available in the iTunes Store. Any copies in the iCloud shouldn't be considered to be a substitute for a backup.
(108191) -
I have copied my iTunes library onto a new computer, but when I play back the songs using the new computer, there seems to be random "miss" or "drop out" during play back, similar to a small scratch on a vinyl record. Although when I play the same song over again, the "miss" occurs in a different location during the song. No probs with old computer, just the new one. I'm onto my third new computer - same problem. Any suggestions please?
You don't say which version of iTunes you are using, but the symptoms you describe have been encountered by some users with the 64-bit version of iTunes 12.1.
There is an alternative version for 64-bit editions of Windows here:
iTunes 12.1 for Windows (64-bit — for older video cards)
that seems to address the most of the playback issues that some users have been reporting with the full 64-bit version of 12.1.0.77 - including problems with Bluetooth speakers where either sound is degraded or completely absent. The alternative installer here is the same architecture as most previous "64-bit" versions of iTunes, i.e., a 32-bit application with a 64-bit installer. The "for older video cards" label appears to be something of a misnomer as some people have reported that this corrects problems found on current / high-spec systems.
Some users have reported that after installing this alternative version it is necessary to adjust the "Play audio using" selection (normally to "Direct Sound" rather than "Windows Audio Session", though this may vary based on your audio hardware/drivers) in Edit > Preferences > Playback to restore glitch-free audio (one part of the reported symptoms is that the "Direct Sound" choice isn't available, usually in Windows 8). It may also be necessary to ensure that your Bluetooth speakers are active and selected as the default audio device before you run iTunes.
If this doesn't address the issue, you may want to think about reverting to iTunes 12.0 - see Turingtest2's notes on Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates for steps needed to completely remove all installed iTunes components, and for links to the 12.0 installers. -
I just got a new PC, thank goodness. All my music is on an external drive (F). i installed Itunes on my new computer. Now want to get itunes to recognize all the music on my external drive. Don't want to put music on new computer, but keep on external drive. Can anyone help me - thanks
Was the media solely on the external library? If so, it is likely that iTunes was started at some point with the external drive unaccessible. Simply point iTunes to the correct library location. To do this, close iTunes. Hold <SHIFT> and launch iTunes. When prompted to find library or create a new one, select the find option and point iTunes to where the iTuneslibrary.itl file is at on your computer (or external drive).
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?
damfam9 wrote:
My old computer crashed and i just purchased a new laptop. How do i get my library on my new computer without erasing all the songs on my ipod?
If ALL your music is on the iPod and it's ALL iTunes purchased content, you log into iTunes with your account on th enew machine and reverse sycn the music back.
If the music is from cd's and other sources (not iTunes files) then ask over at iLounge what third party solution currently works. (can't recommond it here)
I have some HUGE instructions here how to get your music off the old comptuer too:
Recovery options:
A: If Windows isn't booting:
You need to boot the computer from a "recovery disk or USB" that has a operating system on it and a graphical user interface to transfer files from your boot drive to a external drive.
I suggest using the Easy USB Installer to install Ubuntu 10.10 onto a 2-4 GB USB key.
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/
or
burn a ISO of Ubuntu 10.10 or PartedMagic to a cd-r with ImgBurn or Win 7 right click and burn
You can use Disk Utility in OS X to select the ISO and burn to cd/dvd as well.
Once you have it installed, consult this page for your BIOS boot key to hold to get into the BIOS.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/a/biosaccess_pc.htm
Plug the USB into the back (if possible) of the computer, connect the external drive and enter the BIOS, set the USB (or CD) as first boot and SAVE.
Boot off the USB/CD and "Try Ubuntu/Run from disk" DON'T INSTALL. (Parted Magic loads into RAM and ejects CD)
Once in, go under the menu Places > Computer and transfer your files to the external drive just like you would in Windows, drag and drop.
(If using Parted Magic double click on the Mount Drive left icon twice, use the two GUI windows to transfer files to external drive, unmount drives, log out/quit in the lower left corner menu option)
B: If the computer hardware isn't working, but the drive might still work:
You'll have to remove the power cord and manually extract the hard drive. This might result in some damage.
There is a powered IDE/SATA to USB adapter for sale online for $20 that you can take that internal hard drive and use it like a external drive to access your files from another Windows machine.
C: If your iTunes content is deleted...
It might be recoverable if it hasn't been overwritten yet by fresh data. Undelete software works by reading the 1's and 0's of the files themselves, not what the OS says.
You need to use undelete software pre-installed before the iTunes content was deleted, or while on a bootable cd/USB and a external drive to transfer the recovered files.
You can also install undelete type software on a new machine and USE STEP B above to "undelete" the files and recover them directly to the new computer.
You can't install undelete software or recover files to the same drive your attempting to recover from or it overwrites the deleted data.
D: If the hard drive doesn't work and...
The data isn't worth spending $2000-$3000 in a ATTEMPT at platter dissection recovery, then your finished
If the data on the drive was encrypted, data recovery efforts may be futile, unless it's a encypted file and you transfer it successfuly and have the password to de-crypt it.
E: If you have a "iDevice" with any content
It can be synced back into iTunes, check at iLounge what third party software works reliably now and for your version.
(Once you log into your iTunes account, you can sync ONLY iTunes purchased content back from a iDevice)
Third party software can recover just about all the items on a iDevice, regardless of it's origin. (can't recommend such software here)
F: If any of the above is too hard, or the data is of "critical importance"
Then seek professional computer or forensic level recovery services.
Get help from someone who has done this sort of thing repeatly and can almost guaranty 100% results.
There is Linux software that can "rip" all data off a iOS device if that level of attention is needed, seek a professional service.
Hope this helps in your data recovery efforts.
Please, backup your data, it's the only thing us IT professionals can't recover. -
How can I move my iTunes library to a new computer?
I have got a new computer, and wish to move my itunes library and sync to my new computer, without installing touchcopy or any third party software. Is there any way to do this?
Thanks.Use Migration Assstant to move all content from an old computer to a new.
For iTunes alone:
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
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.) -
How can I get my itunes library to my new computer?
abombaci wrote:
Copy the iTunes music folder to an external hard drive then plug that external hard drive onto the new computer click the folder and then install and go into iTunes on the new computer and click (add folder to library) and you should see your library in iTunes on the new computer fill up.
This method would lose ratings, play counts, playlists, date added, etc. and any device synced with the current library would see this as a "new" library and consequently iTunes would want to erase and reload all content.
tt2 -
I recently got a new computer. I used my iTunes back up CD's after installing iTunes on my new computer. Now several(14 so far...I am going through my whole library) songs are not playing completely. They stop mid-song and go to the next song. They played fine on my previous computer. Help!
Hi Rob,
Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.
The steps in this article can help:
iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1538
Best Regards,
Jeremy -
I install iTunes on a new computer and now I have nothing no music, apps NOTHING! HELP
See Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
tt2
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