Moving Itunes/songs on XP PC with multiple users

I have seen the good articles on moving songs/library from an old to a new PC and seems easy.
My concern is how this all works when I have three users/XP accounts on my old PC and each user has their own library, playlists, etc.. and I want to move all this to the new PC with the same users/XP accounts and not loose links and all. All three users "pull" the songs currently in the same iTunes folder but different song list of course in each users library from this iTunes folder.
Any help is appreciated as a lengthy forum search could not be located on this exact subject. I'm wondering if I have to repeat the procedure for each account that you do for a single account? Seems odd way though.
Thanks
Dell   Windows XP  
Dell   Windows XP  

Thanks for such a quick and helpful reply Dave.
Sorry but the issue still nagging at me is do I have to Consolidate (which copies the songs from my current song location on the E drive to C:\My Documents per the below) into the My Documents Folder for each user and then transfer this My Document data for each user onto my external HD and then to the new PC and each users My Documents folder? So I would then transfer all the songs from my E Drive three times? My entire 30G music collection would then exist in three places in each users My Documents on the new PC? Sorry to be an idiot but I have a roadblock on this point.
Or maybe it is much simpler and when I consolidate all three users automatically have their library file pointers updated to point to the new "consolidated" location i.e. My Documents?
Once you have the method set up, you're going to have to prepare iTunes.
THE FOLLOWING METHOD CAUSES YOU TO LOSE YOUR FOLDER SCHEME. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE SETUP, AND/OR ARE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH MOVING THINGS MANUALLY, PLEASE SEE THE 'ADVANCED' SECTION AT THE BOTTOM
Open iTunes on the old computer, and hit Edit>Preferences>Advanced, and make sure that the folder listed is \My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music.
Next, hit Consolidate Music Library. This action is irreversible, and it will make sure that all of your music is put in the aforementioned iTunes Music folder. Shut iTunes, and move on.
Now you're going to have to move the info to the new computer. If you have an external hard drive, drag the iTunes folder, located within My Documents\My Music onto it. If you have a network set up, copy the iTunes folder to a location that can be accessed by the new computer.
Now, on the new computer, open either the external HDD, or the network folder, and copy the folder iTunes to the My Documents\My Music folder.
Start up iTunes, and everything should be in place.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=607339

Similar Messages

  • Sharing iTunes on a single computer with multiple users

    Greetings,
    I have been troubleshooting a problem sharing iTunes on a single computer with multiple users that cropped up a few weeks ago and have not had very good luck.
    Several months ago I successfully set up my wife’s G4 Laptop (PowerPC processor) so that we could share iTunes on that computer. I had just gotten her an “My Book” external hard drive (Western Digital). The iTunes Library will go on this new unit because the internal drive was running out of room. I successfully set the privileges, moved the entire library onto a “Share” directory and everything worked fine.
    In this way, when I got a new CD I could add it to iTunes (under my login, administrator privileges) and she could access it (under her login) to listen to while working on the computer or using her iPod. This arrangement went well for quite awhile.
    About a month and a half ago, when I tried to launch iTunes from my login I received this message:
    “The iTunes Library file is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have write permission for this file.”
    I think the permissions must have changed when there was an update because my wife is pretty careful about what she does on her computer. Updates were the only thing I could think of that had changed since I had set her computer up. I also noticed that some of the iTunes defaults were different from the last time I had used it to add a CD.
    So, I did some reading and went back through the motions of trying to set it up again. I re-formatted the My Book hard drive to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) added the files back to the external, reset permissions on the external hard drive. (Owners: System, Access: read and write - Group: wheel, Access: read and write – Others: read and write).
    When I now launch iTunes under my login I get this message:
    “The operation cannot be completed because you do not have sufficient privileges for some of the items.”
    What gives? I am the original owner and have always had top-level privileges.
    Can someone point me to any articles or clues as to how I need to set-up iTunes on a single computer to be shared by more than one user? Also, I am considering upgrading to the newer system in a few weeks, so if a solution for OS X 10.5 is available, that would work too.
    Tim

    Was your wife logged into the libray at the time you tried to log in? I have had a similar problem and it was because another user was logged into the library when I attempted to. I got the permission denied banner.

  • Migrate itunes from pc to mac with multiple user accounts

    I've read the numerous articles on transferring one's itunes library from a windows machine to a mac and I *think* I've got the details sorted (have itunes copy everything and then organize my library, then copy whole folder to external drive). I only have one itunes account but it my full library and itunes account is used across different windows user accounts.
    My mac is setup with multiple user accounts and I'd like to have a single library and single itunes account (same apps, etc.,). I'm not quite sure how to migrate the library from windows and then set it up on the mac such that all mac user accounts are sharing the same library and itunes account. Any guidance?
    Forgot to mention, have 2 iphones and 1 ipad as well, all attached to the same apple id.

    See these support documents:
    How to share iTunes between multiple accounts on a single computer:  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
    How to use multiple iPods, iPads, or iPhones with one computer, http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1495

  • ITunes library on one computer with multiple users

    Mom, Dad, and kids each have their own log-in to this computer. Mom is the main administrator and when we downloaded all the CDs to iTunes, it went to Mom's iTunes Library. Dad has logged in under his name and purchased items from iTunes store which are now in his library. We now have 2 separate iTunes Libraries. How can we make the iTunes library the same for both Mom and Dad?
    Dad just got iPhone and wants to be able to sync his apps to his computer login as well as having access to Mom's iTunes library - it would seem to me that the easiest way to do this is to copy the library from Mom to Dad or somehow be able to have Dad share the itunes library. Can't figure out how to do this. Any help would be appreciated.

    To share an iTunes library among multiple users, put the iTunes library in /Users/Shared/Music/iTunes, and for each user, make an alias from ~/Music/iTunes to /Users/Shared/Music/iTunes. Set permissions on /Users/Shared/Music/iTunes (and everything inside it) to give each user read and write permissions, and you're all set. My wife have been sharing our iTunes library this way since 2005, without a hitch.
    Also, you'll have to import the contents of one library into the other, to make one big library, which is an extra step, but there's no way to avoid this now that you have two libraries.
    Here are step by step instructions:
    1. Figure out which library is larger, and start with that one. I'm going to guess it's Mom's. Log in as Mom.
    2. In the Finder, make a folder called /Users/Shared/Music.
    3. Move the folder ~/Music/iTunes (that's your iTunes library) to /Users/Shared/Music/iTunes.
    4. Select the folder /Users/Shared/Music/iTunes, and make an alias of that folder. (In the Finder, click on File->Make Alias.) The alias will be called "/Users/Shared/Music/iTunes alias".
    5. Move "/Users/Shared/Music/iTunes alias" to "~/Music/iTunes alias". Rename the alias to ~/Music/iTunes.
    6. At this point, check your work: start iTunes while still logged in as Mom. Mom should see her iTunes library, just as before, as if it had never been moved.
    7. While still logged in as Mom, go to /Users/Shared, select the Music folder, and give Mom and Dad read and write permissions on that folder and all its contents.
    8. Log out as Mom, and log in as Dad. In the Finder, move Dad's iTunes library from ~/Music/iTunes to the Desktop.
    9. As Dad, repeat steps 4 and 5.
    10. Now Dad should check his work, by starting iTunes. Dad should now see Mom's library instead of his own.
    Congratulations! You now have a shared library. You not only share content, but all playlists, artwork, etc. As Dad, create a playlist, fill it with romantic music, and call the playlist "To My Beautiful Wife". Log out as Dad, and log in as Mom, and Mom will see the same playlist. Crack open a bottle of champagne.
    But Dad's content is still in ~/Desktop/iTunes. You'll have to add it to your shared libary:
    11. Log in as Dad, and in iTunes, turn on the preference iTunes->Preferences->Advanced->Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library.
    12. Still in iTunes, choose File->Add to Library and start adding all the files in ~/Desktop/iTunes. They'll be copied from Dad's desktop into the shared library. Try importing a couple of tracks, and log in as Mom and confirm that both Mom and Dad see the imported content. (I myself have never done this, so I can't give you much guidance about importing, since I started our iTunes library as a single shared library from the very beginning. For all you know, you can just select every folder in ~/Desktop/iTunes and import everything at once. I would imagine you might have to futz around re-organizing everything nicely once you've imported all Dad's stuff, but once that's done, it's done.) Once everything is imported you can trash ~/Desktop/iTunes.
    That's it. Any content you add will be instantly available to both users without having to sync or copy anything ever, because both users are always looking at the same library. (If one user deletes something it's gone for both users too, so be careful!) The only trouble you could possibly have are permissions issues, depending on how your system and users are set up. On my computer, after setting it up once, we never had to think about it again. However, we set up a separate account to be the administrator, and neither my wife or I have admin privileges. Since Mom is an administrator and Dad is not, you might find that OS X treats you differently when you create new files in your library. You'll have to try it and see. Good luck!
    Message was edited by: dgauthier

  • In trying to share music with multiple user accounts on one comp, I quit itunes, located my itunes media folder, moved it to a publicly accessible location. Problem is it didn't work and now I can't get it all back to the way it was.

    In trying to share music with multiple users on one computer, I followed the directions on "iTunes:How to share music between different accounts on a single computer" (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1203). I did something wrong because i lost iTunes
    Tried to put files back, but it is not the same. Plugged in my ipod and it is not recognizing my computer.
    Can someone tell me where iTunes should be, and what sub files should be included with it. Thanks!

    If you are seeing the "Connect to iTunes" logo, then your device is in Recovery Mode, and you will need to restore it:
    If you can't update or restore your iOS device
    iOS: Back up and restore your iOS device with iCloud or iTunes
    Cheers,
    GB

  • ITunes setup on a NAS with multiple windows users - how?

    iTunes setup on a NAS with multiple windows users?
    I am very confused on what is the best way to handle this setup for my friends family.  Any help would be appreciated.  Sorry in advance as I know this is a long winded post - I have a feeling this will help others faced with the same issues or questions.
    CURRENT SETUP
    I have three new Windows 7 machines networked (two desktops and one laptop) that have four users on each - as busy family with children who need the computers for homework, projects, games, etc...  The goal of this setup is that any user can log onto any computer and have there documents available to them no matter computer was free to use.  I set this up using the library function in Windows 7 and seems to work pretty well.
    I have put a Buffalo Linkstation NAS on the system as well.  This was going to serve two purposes 1)  run some backup software to protect the computers and 2) consolidate the iTunes content in one place for all users.  There is also an iPad in the home that I should would be better served by accessing the content on the NAS without requiring any of the computers being on.  Dave is thinking about getting some other playback devices like Apple TV so thought a NAS would be a good way to go.
    CURRENT ITUNES SETUP - I have created a new iTunes library on the NAS by holding the SHIFT button down while starting iTunes and pointed to that folder on a Share on the NAS.  There was no music on the system at the time as we are planning to copy this over from an OLD machine that is now not being used.  I have also authorized all the computers and turned on the home sharing feature (although I am not sure what good that does).
    This “shift” button trick seesm to also point the default directory there without point to it in the advanced setup tab of iTunes.
    I then synced one of the iPods with purchased content on it and synced that to the library after asking me to do so before an update.  All the content showed up in the library and was playable - awesome.
    I then logged into each user on each machine (yikes) and installed iTunes  and used the “shift” trick to connect each users iTunes to the database on the NAS.  Everything seems to work - but I have not tested it thoroughly.
    SUMMARY
    3 new Windwos 7 networked machines
    4 identical users on each machine
    1 TB Buffalo linkstation
    iTunes setup with the folder on a SHARE
    all user’s itunes connected to the iTunes folder on the NAS
    all computers authorized with home sharing turned on.
    one iTunes user account signed in on each machine
    multiple iPods and one iPad in the system
    QUESTIONS/CONCERNS
    Is there a better way to do this on a NAS?
    Would home sharing be better in some way?
    I understand the NAS should show up under the shared section in iTunes - I assume that would mean that would mean each user has an iTunes library on their documents?
    I have read that there may be corruption issues if users on the different machines try to access iTunes at the same time.
    Will there be any issues syncing that various iPods with?
    Ugh - sorry for the long post and all the questions.  I am just trying to find the best way to do this.  I wish Apple would put out a best practices document for setups like this.  Thanks in advance.

    This is a user to user support forum. Your fellow users can offer solutions or workarounds based on their experience with the application. If you think it should work differently drop a line to iTunes Feedback.
    For reasons unknown Apple haven't chosen to allow iTunes to be suspended in one profile and active in another. My recollection is that this applies even if each profile has a different library, although it is some time since I've committed a personal test.
    I'm not sure why my suggestion make less sense that your current approach?. As I understand it currently everybody is either signed into their own account when they can do something other than work with iTunes, or they sign into the special iTunes account where they can't access any of their other stuff. You don't have to disable fast user switching. Follow exactly the same steps, but make sure everyone closes iTunes before turning the computer over to another user. Disabling fast user switching helps to enforce that action.
    tt2

  • I have bought itunes songs on an ipad with my daughter apple id. i would like to back them up on the same computer I sync my iphone with using my apple id but they will not transfer. Both iphone and ipad have only been synced on the computer mentione

    I have bought itunes songs on an ipad with my daughter apple id. i would like to back them up on the same computer I sync my iphone with using my apple id but they will not transfer. Both iphone and ipad have only been synced on the computer mentioned since they were purchased. Is there any way to get the ipad music transferred to the computer?

    And they were definitely purchased from the iTunes store, they show on the account's purchase history (Store > View Account on a computer's iTunes, or you can view the last 90 days purchases via http://reportaproblem.apple.com) ?
    You could potentially log into the account on that computer's iTunes (Store > Sign Out to log out of your account, that will then change to a Store > Sign In option) and redownload them by clicking on the id towards the top right of the iTunes screen and Purchased on the popup :
    But that will potentially tie that computer to that account for 90 days : Manage your associated devices in iTunes - Apple Support
    Or do you have a different computer that you could redownload them on and then copy them over to that computer via a flash drive or memory card, and then add them to its iTunes via File > Add To Library ?

  • New Mac User: iTunes Auth with multiple user accounts

    With a Mac with multiple user accounts, does EACH user account need to have iTunes authorized, or is iTunes authorized for an entire mac machine?

    So then I assume that iTunes will know then if each of the computer's user accounts has a different iTunes account?
    When you authorize an iTunes account on your computer, the authorization info is stored in \Users\Shared\. When you run iTunes, it looks there to see if it can play purchases. The purchase account info is embedded into each purchased file.

  • How do I share iTunes with multiple users on Mac mini?

    How do I share iTunes with multiple users on Mac mini?

    You have to turn on Sharing and then Authenticate Sharing on the other devices. You can have up to 5.

  • HT2105 When you get a apple receipt for itunes songs and you paid with a itunes gift card do they charge you or give you store credit what's store credit is it good or bad or does it charge you if you have a free account with no credit cards at all is it

    When you get a apple receipt for itunes songs and you paid with a itunes gift card do they charge you or give you store credit what's store credit is it good or bad or does it charge you if you have a free account with no credit cards at all is it bad?

    iTunes credits are, for example, if you download a song from the store and it's found to be corrupt - if the track can't be fixed then iTunes support will tend to give you a song credit for a free download.
    When you purchase music from the store then any credits that you have will be used first, then any balance that you have (e.g. from iTunes gift cards or allowances), and any remaining amount will be taken from your credit card.

  • IMac with multiple user accounts "cannot associate apple id for ....."

    I have an iMac with multiple user accounts each with an Apple ID and individual iTunes library and Itunes match linking to iPhones iPads etc.
    I bought songs on my iPhone yesterday, on trying to listen to them on the iMac (my user account) this morning I get the "cannot associacte Apple ID for another 31 day" meassage.
    Is there any way round this? or is the answer only purchase via iTunes on the iMac in the individual account. Why do Apple do this?

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4627
    I'm guessing it's for piracy reasons.

  • 1 Apple TV 2nd Gen, Windows 7 Computer with multiple user accounts

    The issue that I am having is I have 1 Apple TV 2nd Gen and Windows 7 Computer with multiple user accounts.
    When I log onto my Windows user account, open up Itunes and turn on home sharing my Apple TV work perfect but if another family member switches to their Windows user account without logging me out, the home share shows up on Apple TV but it just says "Loading ... Library" and never loads.
    If we switch back to my user account, restart iTunes, everything is fine. Is there a way to keep my home share active in ATV2 across multiple user accounts? All of my video is under my account.

    You can home-share multiple libraries but only use one account at a time.

  • Time Machine with multiple users on single computer

    Hi All,
    I have an iMac at home with multiple user log ons. I'm about to get the Time Capsule and start using Time Machine (currently I use backup).
    When I switch on Time Machine, does it switch on for all users, or will each user need to turn on Time Machine?
    If I have to switch on Time Machine for each user, will each user's time machine back up the entire computer (so I'll have two complete copies on my computer on the external drive)?
    If this does occur, can I control what Time Machine backs up so TM only backs up user specific information?
    Thanks in advance,
    Chris

    When you first backup it will backup your whole system (user directories, system directories, applications, etc) unless you specify folders to exclude. When a user account is added to the computer, their home folder will be added to the backup in a similar way to if you added a new application. It will back up the directory structure exactly as it is on your main hard drive. The backup will essentially keep a copy of the whole hard drive on the backup drive.
    The Time Machine will either be on for the whole system, or off for the whole system. It is not on or off for a specific user account. Users (depending on if they've got admin privileges) may have control over turning time machine on or off, but this does not change who can access the backups. All users will be able to invoke Time Machine to get to their backed up files.
    Time Machine does not make separate backups for individual users. Instead, it preserves the permissions for backed up files, so while every user can access the backups, they cant just browse other users' files on the backup. The same restrictions on the main drive are carried over to the backup. Still, a standard user who's lost a file will be able to go into Time Machine, access a backed up version of the file, and restore it. Unlike standard users who are restricted from seeing other users' files in the backups, Admins are also restricted but they can be authenticated to view other users' files if they want to.

  • File sharing with multiple users on one Mac

    I have two Macs, both of which ca seen each other across the network. My question regards file sharing with multiple users on the same computer. When file sharing, are the files from all users available across the network, or just those of the user presently logged in? The issue is that I am trying to access files from a user who isn't currently logged in, but another user on that computer is. I need to get into that person's documents, but I don't see a way to navigate to their documents folder.

    Right, I got that. But the computer is in constant use by User A, while I need access to User B's files. I could need access at anytime, and it would be a pain to make User A log off and log in as User B everytime. I was just wondering if there is anyway to access User B's files in this situation, without logging User B in.

  • ICal sharing with multiple users on same computer

    How can i set up iCal to share with multiple users on the same computer? 

    yes, BUT... you need a central repository for the master calendars, usually referred to a Calendar Server. If you are not using a Mac OS X Server on your private network, I think you can use web-based servers that use standard calendar protocol.
    Mac 101: iCal

Maybe you are looking for