Linking itunes on new computer with library on external drive

I have just purchased a new PC and want to run Itunes on it. I had moved my library to an external hard drive which I want to use with the new computer. I have downloaded iTunes to the new computer but I don't know how to get it to find the library on the external drive. Is this an easy procedure even for someone with limited computer skills?

Thanks for responding Chris. I followed the instructions from Apple and moved the music files over to the external drive. I'm not sure what that left of itunes on the old computer. Now I've downloaded itunes to the new computer and even though the external drive is connected itunes library is empty. I can see that all the music files are actually on the external drive, I just don't know how to get the two linked. I'd like to keep all the music on the external drive to conserve space.

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Installing iTunes on new computer with library on external HD

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Launch iTunes with the Shift key held down, click on Choose Library, and point it there. If only the iTunes media was stored on the drive, open the Advanced section of its preferences, ensure it's not going to copy the media to the internal drive, and drag the iTunes media folder into the open iTunes application window.
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New PC with library on external drive--no playlists or ratings?

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The symptoms you describe correspond to the situation where you have your media on the external drive but the iTunes database (where playlists, ratings, etc. are stored) on the C: drive. If you can access the old drive, look for the C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes folder, and in particular for the iTunes Library.itl file. Then see turingtest2's user tip on Make a split library portable for steps necessary to bring your library into a standardized layout - I'd suggest that you aim to have the complete library on the external drive, in this structure:
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unable to install itunes for new computer with windows 8
states this app unable to run on this PC

Hello jgrn76,
It sounds like you are getting an error stating that the iTunes installer cannot be run on your computer. I would try downloading the 64 bit version of iTunes from here:
iTunes 11.1.3 for Windows (64-bit)
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1615
If issues persist when trying to install it, I would try running through the steps in the article named:
Issues installing iTunes or QuickTime for Windows
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1926
Otherwise, would you mind elaborating a bit on what the error message says, word for word?
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Regards,
Sterling

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Transferring Itunes Library to a new computer with songs on External HD?

I have a similar problem
I need to transfer my itunes library to my new laptop
I believe i have to install a new version of itunes on the new laptop
My mp3's and videos are all manually arranged on an external harddrive. Only the itunes program is on the internal harddrive of my computer
Is it possible to transfer my itunes library to the new laptop? I want to preserve my playlist.
A mistake i did....
Few months ago, i reformatted our old computer. Installed the new version of itunes. I also copied the .itl, xml music file from old itunes folder to the new itunes folder (re-installed itunes). When i opened the new itunes, my library was blank. What mistake did i make? Should i have hold the SHIFT key (i use windows) while i open the itunes so that it'll ask me to look for an old library?

There is a simpler way.
Copy the iTunes folder containing your library files from My Music onto the external drive, but not into the music folder. It is best to avoid confusion by keeping them separate.
Install iTunes on the new PC. Don't add any music yet.
With iTunes closed, drag the iTunes folder out of the Music folder to the desktop.
Plug in the external drive and copy the iTunes folder from the old PC into the Music folder.
Adjust the permissions on this folder so the account you are using has full control. Here is help if you don't know how:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/2464a180-e5dc-45d1-a2b8-3c8a 2b571e9d1033.mspx
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/05/25/how-to-take-ownership-and-grant-permiss ions-in-windows-vista/
Before attempting to open iTunes make sure your external drive has the same letter as it had before - I think you already know how to do this.
You should also check the permissions on your music folder as above.
Fingers crossed, when you start iTunes things should be as they were on the old PC.
The crucial thing is that the path to the music files has not changed.

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Hi,
My current library is too large to fit on my local HDD, so after preforming a needed reformat,I decided to move my backed up media (mp3's, ipas...) to my external drive.
When I installed itunes, I changed "itunes media folder location" to the external drive (D:\itunes). I then consolidated the library.
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When I drag an app ipa from my external hard drive (E:) to itunes it backs up the ipa to another external drive folder (D:\iTunes\Mobile Applications) which I specified (which is what I want it to do).
BUT, it also copies the ipa to the ORIGINAL "C:\Users\Name\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Mobile Applications" disk location!
I don't want itunes to copy the ipas from E: to both the original "C:\Users\Name\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Mobile Applications" location and "D:\iTunes\Mobile Applications". I only want a copy of ipa at D:\iTunes\Mobile Applications, not the original location.
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I've been living the exact same nightmare. Spoke with applecare tech who was unable to help me, got transfered from hardware to software tech, eventually a supervisor acknowledged that he had no idea what was happening and his recommendation, "best I can suggest is that you try google it". Disappointing to say the least, I mean really if 'free' google supersedes the 'paytoplay' applecare, they have a business model issue. (Apple Expert Case 144795352).
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The symptoms you describe correspond to the situation where you have your media on the external drive but the iTunes database (where playlists, ratings, etc. are stored) on the C: drive. If you can access the old drive, look for the C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes folder, and in particular for the iTunes Library.itl file. Then see turingtest2's user tip on Make a split library portable for steps necessary to bring your library into a standardized layout - I'd suggest that you aim to have the complete library on the external drive, in this structure:
where you primarily make use of iTunes' consolidation functions to move files and folders into this structure. Once everything's in place, get a second external drive and use this to create and maintain a backup of your library (much easier with this "well formed" layout since everything you need to backup is in a common folder).

Synching with library on external drive

I had my ipod running well with all files on an external hard drive. I just had to install a new internal hard drive and I am having the following problems. 1st, when I plu in the ipod I get a message saying that I am synched to another itunes library and I can only be synched to one. 2nd, I can't get itunes to recognize the library on my external drive. So, how do I get the ipod to recognize my library and synch with it? Thanks in advance for your help.

The symptoms you describe correspond to the situation where you have your media on the external drive but the iTunes database (where playlists, ratings, etc. are stored) on the C: drive. If you can access the old drive, look for the C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes folder, and in particular for the iTunes Library.itl file. Then see turingtest2's user tip on Make a split library portable for steps necessary to bring your library into a standardized layout - I'd suggest that you aim to have the complete library on the external drive, in this structure:
where you primarily make use of iTunes' consolidation functions to move files and folders into this structure. Once everything's in place, get a second external drive and use this to create and maintain a backup of your library (much easier with this "well formed" layout since everything you need to backup is in a common folder).

New computer w/ music on external drive

I just purchased a new computer. My library from old computer is stored on an external drive. How do I get the old library working on the new computer? Thanks!

1) Install Itunes on the new PC.
2) Copy over the itunes database files from the old pc to the new pc. The files are a itl and xml located here:C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\My Music\iTunes
3)Disconnect the drive from the old PC and connect to the new PC.
4) Make sure the drive is in the exact same position (drive letter) on the new as it was on the old PC.
5) Rock n Roll!

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You're referring to a referenced library and even though it's possible the risks, IMO, greatly outweigh the advantages. Since you have a laptop and want to have at least some of the pictures to take with you on the road I suggest two libraries: a full library to be run off the external HD and a smaller one with the most current or needed photos.
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New computer won't recognize external drive[s]

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Thanks

It appears the Maxtor 3200 has an external power supply. Is the drive showing response to the power pack before plugging into the USB port? Same for the other drive?
When you state "we cannot get it to recognize other external drives" does that mean the computer does nothing when either one is plugged into the USB port?
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Hi. I can't download itunes to new computer with Windows 8.

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Download using a different browser.

Linking itunes on new computer with library on external drive

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