ITunes migration to new PC

hi,
Can somebody please tell me how to move my iTunes library (with iPhone 4 back-up) from an Windows XP PC to a Windows 7 PC.
Thank you

You're dealing with a lot of registry issues and the like, more than likely. It's never a good idea to transfer installed programs from one computer to another. Those programs do more harm than good, in my opinion. I'd backup anything new you've done and resinstall Windows. It may be a pain, but add your programs manually. It's more healthy.

Similar Messages

ITunes Migration To New Mac - Want To Retain Library, Playlists And Ratings

Hi there,
I'm considering upgrading my 20" Imac to the 24" version and have a few queries with Itunes. Basically i manage my library and songs myself so to speak so i don't keep any of my music within the Itunes music folder. Anything i've ever added or imported has been filed in my own folders relating to genre on my hard drive. I've been in this situation previously when i last upgraded and i didn't have the option to do a migration as my old operating system was Tiger and new one Leopard. So i basically printed out all my playlists, added all my music to the library again and manually re-entered all the playlists.
Would a migration take care of this for me or would i encounter problems? Some people say it's not wise to do a migration with a new out of box Mac as you end up carrying over crap you don't need.
Can someone advise me what is the best route to take, i know the typical answer is to just copy the entire Itunes folder out of music and place it in the same destination on the new machine but i don't think this will work due to me using Itunes as a referenced library.

Hi ya Bert;
This is too easy. Steps are quick and here they are:
One item extra you need: 1 6-foot long firewire cable (FW400 6 pin type)
This is under the expectation that your different music genres folders are located in your Music folder.
1. Make sure both iMacs are shut down.
2. Connect firewire cable to both iMacs.
3. Start your 20 inch iMac normally and let it come to the desktop.
4. Start your 24 inch iMac, BUT press the 'T' key and wait until the firewire symbol is displayed on
your 24 inch iMac then release.
5. You'll see your 24 inch iMac's hard drive show up in your 20 inch iMac's desktop.
6. Open the Macintosh HD of your 20 inch iMac, then open the Music folder and stop.
7. Open the yellow Macintosh HD (which is the 24 inch iMac's HD), then navigate to the Music folder
and stop.
8. Drag the music genre folders in the Music folder from your 20 inch iMac and drop it into the
Music folder of your 24 inch iMac.
9. You'll see a copy progress bar displayed and after some time, it will disappear.
10. After the file transfer is completed, eject the Macintosh HD of your 24 inch iMac from the 20
inch iMac and power down the 24 inch iMac.
11. You can safely disconnect the firewire cable to both iMacs.
If I read your message right, your playlists are not part of the iTunes library.
If you are having any problems with these instructions, please give a more detailed picture of your library setup.
Take care.

Itunes migration to new mac

New to the apple world. I migrated the itunes Music Folder from my wife's macbook to mine - using Migration assistant - do I need to aim iTunes at the folder to import - or is iTunes way more clever than I , and just do this for me.
Thanks for your patience!

bucky651 wrote:
New to the apple world. I migrated the itunes Music Folder from my wife's macbook to mine - using Migration assistant - do I need to aim iTunes at the folder to import - or is iTunes way more clever than I , and just do this for me.
Just launch iTunes. No need to point anything anywhere (besides, you'll put someone's eye out with that thing!)
That's what Migration Assistant does. It copies your account to the new computer.
Everything should be set up exactly as it was.

How do I migrate to iTunes to a new laptop without losing my ipod content

I installed iTunes in my new laptop with Vista OS. I am hesitate to plug in my iPod to add new mp3s. I know that it will identify that this is a new IPOD and will ask to reformat the iPOD. I am afraid of losign my content. How do I migrate my itune configuration from my old computer to my new Vista laptop. Basically, I want new iTune to recognize my IPOD like the old computer. Do I just copy the Program Files/ITunes folder to the new computer? I am not sure where the IPOD configuration is stored in the old computer.
Thanks.

Probably the most straightforward way to get iTunes onto your new computer is to network it with the old one and copy your iTunes folder across. This works fine if you have been using iTunes to completely manage your music and all your songs are in iTunes Music not in different folders. You can also use this method with an external hard drive, you drag the folder from the old computer to the external drive and then from the drive to the new computer.
Copying the whole folder brings with it the iTunes Music folder and also the iTunes Library (iTunes Library.itl in Windows) database file which holds all the information about your songs (Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, Last Played, Date Added, etc). You'll get more information including the Folder/File structure in this article: What are the iTunes library files?
When you copy the iTunes folder make sure you put it into the same location on the new computer. This has to be the exact same place, on a PC this is \Documents and Settings\Username\My Documents\My Music\. When you open iTunes on the new computer it will be the same as on the original one Songs, Playlists, Play Counts, Ratings etc. When I moved iTunes a while ago for my daughter I was also using the same version of iTunes, not sure how important that is but it's probably worth keeping them the same.
Your iPod can be used as an external drive and you can move the iTunes folder onto it: How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer

ITunes Unable to Run After Migration to New PC Using Laplink PCMover

A few days ago, I used Laplink PCMover to migrate my programs from my old Dell to my new one (both running Windows XP Pro).
Unfortunately, PCMover does not correctly move iTunes (but is was very successful at moving everything else).
So I uninstalled iTunes on the new computer and deleted all my music files (I can transfer them later using my external hard drive). Then I re-downloaded iTunes from the website, installed it, and it STILL won't run. I repeated the process just to make sure, and it still won't run. The standard error box pops up: "iTunes has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."
I suspect there is some license issue or maybe a registration issue. Or something! It's so frustrating.
My iPod has never been attached to the new computer.
I contacted PCMover, who said to undo the migration, uninstall iTunes on old computer, and then run the mirgration again (which takes hours and which restores new computer to "its original state" which, after four days, means I may lose a lot of new material).
Would appreciate any help you can give me.
Thanks!
Felicia

You're dealing with a lot of registry issues and the like, more than likely. It's never a good idea to transfer installed programs from one computer to another. Those programs do more harm than good, in my opinion. I'd backup anything new you've done and resinstall Windows. It may be a pain, but add your programs manually. It's more healthy.

Migrate Apple Mail and iTunes to a new Mac

A friend df mine has a macBook Pro 2009 and now has bought a MacBook Por Retina.
As the old AMcBook pro is full of problems on system level I offered to help him with th emigration of some of his old data to the new machine. iPhoto data is no problems as I know which files to copy but hesitate on Apple Mail and iTunes.
I read this extensive manual http://macs.about.com/od/usingyourmac/ss/moving-apple-mail_4.htm#step-heading but it tells me also to copy the old keychain data, which is corrupt and even Key Chain First iAd can't solve.
Is it possible yo only copy Username/Library/Mail and the com.apple.mail.plist file in Username/LibraryPreferences ?
On iTunes I have want to follow theses steps to have his iPad and iPhone sync on the new Mac
1) Make sure that iTunes is not running on both Macs.
2) Disconnect your iPhone/iPod from both Macs.
3) Copy your iTunes folder: /Users/username/Music/iTunes
4) Copy your iPhone/iPod backups: /Users/username/Library/Application Support/MobileSync
5) Copy your iTunes configuration files: /Users/username/Library/Preferences/com.apple.iTunes*
6) Open iTunes on your new Mac and verify that Applications and Ringtones appear.
7) Connect your iPhone/iPod to the new Mac and accept any new authorizations.
8) Use iTunes on your old Mac to de-authorize the computer.
Your help and advice is appreciated

Is it possible yo only copy Username/Library/Mail and the com.apple.mail.plist file in Username/LibraryPreferences ?
Yes. You'll need to reenter the passwords for the mail accounts.
Your iTunes plan looks good.

How to use my itunes with a new pc

how to use my itunes with a new pc?

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.
If you have an iOS device that syncs with contact & calendar data on your computer you should migrate this information too. If that isn't possible create a dummy entry of each type in your new profile and iTunes should offer to merge the existing data from the device into the computer, otherwise the danger is that it will wipe the information 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 of it, 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. If you don't have any Apple devices then see HT2519 - Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store.
tt2

I have a new computer which i have down loaded i tunes to is there any way to sync my old laptop itunes with the new?

i have a new laptop and down loaded itunes to it, is there any way to get the music from my old laptop itunes to this new version?

See also this migrate iTunes library post.
tt2

HT4527 I transeferred my itunes to a new computer via external hard drive, however over 4000 plus songs have a ! mark beside it and they cannt be played as itunes states that the location can not be found. how do i fix this so all my music can be played.

Hi
I recently moved my itunes to a new computer by using a external hard drive.
However my itunes music is not all playable. over 4000 songs have a ! mark and when tried to be played or copied to ipod or iphone, it says that this song cannot be found and asks to locate it.
How do i fix this problem so that all my songs are available in itunes

It is probably best to start over. 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.
If you have an iOS device that syncs with contact & calendar data on your computer you should migrate this information too. If that isn't possible create a dummy entry of each type in your new profile and iTunes should offer to merge the existing data from the device into the computer, otherwise the danger is that it will wipe the information 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 of it, 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. If you don't have any Apple devices then see HT2519 - Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store.
tt2

Migration to new macbook aluminum

I have recently purchased the latest macbook and its a happy upgrade from my ibook g4. My current problem is when doing the original migration over the wireless network after many hours, the connection failed. I then went to attempt the process again however this time via ethernet. When I went to do this, I was not prompted with the original page that asked to transfer from an old mac and went straight into the set up.
So my question is now that i have a set up macbook how do I do the migration from my old ibook?I would love to get the basics of music, pictures and documents from my old machine.
Thanks so much!!

You can, but I would suggest you simply transfer the files manually over the network. There are some caveats to consider when moving from a PPC to an Intel Mac. See the following FAQ:
A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs
If you are migrating a PowerPC system (G3, G4, or G5) to an Intel-Mac be careful what you migrate. Keep in mind that some items that may get transferred will not work on Intel machines and may end up causing your computer's operating system to malfunction.
Rosetta supports "software that runs on the PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor that are built for Mac OS X". This excludes the items that are not universal binaries or simply will not work in Rosetta:
Classic Environment, and subsequently any Mac OS 9 or earlier applications
Screensavers written for the PowerPC
System Preference add-ons
All Unsanity Haxies
Browser and other plug-ins
Contextual Menu Items
Applications which specifically require the PowerPC G5
Kernel extensions
Java applications with JNI (PowerPC) libraries
See also What Can Be Translated by Rosetta.
In addition to the above you could also have problems with migrated cache files and/or cache files containing code that is incompatible.
If you migrate a user folder that contains any of these items, you may find that your Intel-Mac is malfunctioning. It would be wise to take care when migrating your systems from a PowerPC platform to an Intel-Mac platform to assure that you do not migrate these incompatible items.
If you have problems with applications not working, then completely uninstall said application and reinstall it from scratch. Take great care with Java applications and Java-based Peer-to-Peer applications. Many Java apps will not work on Intel-Macs as they are currently compiled. As of this time Limewire, Cabos, and Acquisition are available as universal binaries. Do not install browser plug-ins such as Flash or Shockwave from downloaded installers unless they are universal binaries. The version of OS X installed on your Intel-Mac comes with special compatible versions of Flash and Shockwave plug-ins for use with your browser.
The same problem will exist for any hardware drivers such as mouse software unless the drivers have been compiled as universal binaries. For third-party mice the current choices are USB Overdrive or SteerMouse. Contact the developer or manufacturer of your third-party mouse software to find out when a universal binary version will be available.
Also be careful with some backup utilities and third-party disk repair utilities. Disk Warrior 4.1, TechTool Pro 4.6.1, SuperDuper 2.5, and Drive Genius 2.0.2 work properly on Intel-Macs with Leopard. The same caution may apply to the many "maintenance" utilities that have not yet been converted to universal binaries. Leopard Cache Cleaner, Onyx, TinkerTool System, and Cocktail are now compatible with Leopard.
Before migrating or installing software on your Intel-Mac check MacFixit's Rosetta Compatibility Index.
Additional links that will be helpful to new Intel-Mac users:
Intel In Macs
Apple Guide to Universal Applications
MacInTouch List of Compatible Universal Binaries
MacInTouch List of Rosetta Compatible Applications
MacUpdate List of Intel-Compatible Software
Transferring data with Setup Assistant - Migration Assistant FAQ
Because Migration Assistant isn't the ideal way to migrate from PowerPC to Intel Macs, using Target Disk Mode, copying the critical contents to CD and DVD, an external hard drive, or networking
will work better when moving from PowerPC to Intel Macs. The initial section below discusses Target Disk Mode. It is then followed by a section which discusses networking with Macs that lack Firewire.
If both computers support the use of Firewire then you can use the following instructions:
1. Repair the hard drive and permissions using Disk Utility.
2. Backup your data. This is vitally important in case you make a mistake or there's some other problem.
3. Connect a Firewire cable between your old Mac and your new Intel Mac.
4. Startup your old Mac in Target Disk Mode.
5. Startup your new Mac for the first time, go through the setup and registration screens, but do NOT migrate data over. Get to your desktop on the new Mac without migrating any new data over.
If you are not able to use a Firewire connection (for example you have a Late 2008 MacBook that only supports USB:)
1. Set up a local home network: Creating a small Ethernet Network.
2. If you have a MacBook Air or Late 2008 MacBook see the following:
MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)- Migration Tips and Tricks;
MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)- What to do if migration is unsuccessful;
MacBook Air- Migration Tips and Tricks;
MacBook Air- Remote Disc, Migration, or Remote Install Mac OS X and wireless 802.11n networks.
Copy the following items from your old Mac to the new Mac:
In your /Home/ folder: Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites folders.
In your /Home/Library/ folder:
/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Preferences/ (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Calendars (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
If you want cookies:
/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
/Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
For Entourage users:
Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
Credit goes to Macjack for this information.
If you need to transfer data for other applications please ask the vendor or ask in the Discussions where specific applications store their data.
5. Once you have transferred what you need restart the new Mac and test to make sure the contents are there for each of the applications.
Written by Kappy with additional contributions from a brody.
Revised 1/6/2009

Transfering PC iTunes Library To New iMac

Hi Everyone
I am very very new to macs and have been a pc user for the last 10 years. I have recently bought the new iMac and was wondering how to transfer all my music from the PC to it??
I sort of have an idea how to do it but I do not want to lose any of my playlists as I am a DJ and have somewhere in the region of forty. I have started by coying the entire iTunes folder on my PC harddrive onto a portable harddrive. Is all I have to do is connect this to the Mac and then copy the music files into iTunes and then go to consolidate library which will make a copy onto the Mac?? It seems simple enough but is this how to do it and will this keep all my playlists??
Any help is great
Al.

How to Copy and Move your Music Files from One Computer to Another
This is the conceptual framework with related and important links. Apply it to your specific situation and resources.
The safest, quickest, and most optimal method to move your Library to a new computer is to actually clone the entire ‘iTunes’ folder structure, rather than just copying just the song files. By copying the entire ‘iTunes’ folder and all sub-folders, you capture not only the music files, but the all-important ‘iTunes Library.itl’ database file (usually located in the ‘iTunes’ folder), which contains all the data about your songs (Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, Last Played, Date Added, etc). See: What are the iTunes Library files?
Install iTunes on the new computer. Then go back to your old computer and move (copy) the "iTunes" folder which usually resides inside your "My Documents\My Music" folder from the old computer to the exact same place on the new computer. When you open iTunes on the new computer it will look and behave exactly the same way it did on the old, Play Counts, Ratings, Comments and all!
NOTE: It is usually safer moving files between computers with the same version of iTunes!!
Here's a list of methods to copy and move your music files from one computer to another:
1) Use an External Hard Drive (ExHD) to move the complete files and Folder structures from one computer to another (my preferred option). You can clone’ the entire ‘iTunes’ folder structure in one very easy step. Also great to have available for complete backups of your Library. External hard drives now run less than $100 for 200-250GBs of storage. See This Link
2) Directly connect the two computers:
2a) Connect them through a Router
2b) Connect using a Direct (w/Mac) or Crossover (PC/PC) Ethernet cable (See: http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/3001.html)
2c) Connect them via a USB-to-USB Network Bridge. See: here as an example. There are many out there (Google).
Copy files from one computer to the other.
3) Use the iPod as a transfer device, as this extensive Apple link explains. It will be a bit easier if your iPod has a larger capacity than your music collection, otherwise you will need to perform multiple copy/move transfers. This well written process also works fine while using any other data transfer medium (ExHD, Flash Drive, DVD, CD, Zipp, Jazz, etc.).
4) Burn several DVDs (at 4.7GBs each) with your music data files and folder structure, and load them onto the new computer. Re-writable DVDs are more cost effective (if your DVD drive can manage these types).
5) Burn 6x more on CDs (at 700MB each) than in #4 above and load the files and folders on the new computer. Re-writable CDs are more cost effective (if your CD drive can manage these types).
6) Use a larger USB Flash drive (1GB - 4GB) to move the files and folders. Best if the flash drive is larger than your Library, otherwise you will need multiple copy/move transfers.
Switch from PC to Mac Using the iPod
hudgie: Migrating iTunes for Windows to a new PC
How to copy music between authorized computers

Is it OK to copy and paste Aperture and iTunes libraries to new computer?

Is it OK to copy and paste Aperture and iTunes libraries to new a computer in OS X Mavericks?

Well, yes, you can copy them over. It's probably easier to use Migration Assistant though, as a lot depends on how the machines are connected, etc.

Problems with transferring iTunes Library to new iMac

I am having a problem with transferring my iTunes library to my new iMac. I have read many of the suggestions posted in this forum along with numerous articles on other sites. I have not seen anyone describe my exact problem.
When I got my new iMac, I used Migration Assistant to transfer everything (files, applications, settings, etc.) from my old iMac to the new iMac. On my old iMac, the iTunes music folder (i.e., the actual mp3s) are on an external HD, while the iTunes Library file (the database and xml files) were in the /user/Music/ folder on the old iMac.
After the Migration Assistant was done, the /user/music/ folder and the library files were copied to the new iMac, but the iTunes music folder was not. It is still on the external HD.
If I open iTunes on the new iMac, iTunes shows me all of my songs, but if I play one, I get the "song can't be found; do you want to find it" error. In iTunes preferences on the new iMac, the "iTunes music folder location" is the new iMac.
I have the 2 iMacs connected by a firewire cable, but neither iMac recognizes the other computer as being on the same network. That is, in Finder on the new iMac, I cannot see the external HD of the old iMac.
I can't change the library location on the old iMac, because the new iMac does not appear in Finder or in the "Change Music Folder Location" dialog box.
I want to move the music folder (the actual mp3s) from the external HD of the old iMac to the INTERNAL HD of the new iMac. I don't need to keep them on the old IMac, as I will be selling that computer. Of course, I want to keep all my playlists, artwork, etc from the old library.
Does anyone have a suggestion?
Thanks.

Never mind. Figured it out. I attached external HD to new iMac and consolidated. Duh.

Within itunes, can I use the file/library/export library option to transfer itunes to a new pc

Within itunes, can I use the file/library/export library option to transfer itunes to a new pc? I have read the other options but they will be difficult for me to action. Can this be used as an easier route?

No. See this migrate iTunes library post.
tt2

Can't add itunes library to my ipod etc since installing itunes on my new computer. HELP!

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

ITunes migration to new PC

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