Moving Library from old computer to new

I have just bought a new computer but I am having problems
getting my music from old onto new. Do I have to download
again from my CD ?

See these.
How to use your iPod to move music to a new computer using iTunes 6.
How to use your iPod to move music to a new computer using iTunes 7.

Similar Messages

Moving library from old computer to new computer

I have followed the given guide and have put my library on my iPod to bring to my new computer which is running on Vista. The problem is two things: one being that when i try to drag the itunes folder from the music folder it asks for permission and I do not know how to allow it(my profile is set as an administrator. The second problem is that the file for my Ipod found in "Computer" does not have my library of music. Help would be appreciated, I am getting pretty upset.

Alright I figured what i did wrong but now itunes opens black but will return back if I minimize it, explanation?

How do I transfer my itunes library from old computer to new computer

How do I transfer my itunes library from old computer to new computer?

See this migrate iTunes library post.
tt2

Got new computer, can someone tell me how to transfer itunes library from old computer to new computer. Please go step by step, i am new at this.

got a new computer, need help transferring itunes library from old computer to new computer. i am very new at this please give instructions step by step.

Hi 45atopp,
Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.
The article at the link below describes a few methods and provides some detailed instructions on how to transfer your iTunes library to your new computer:
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527
Best,
Jeremy

Need help transferring itunes library from old computer to new laptop

Hello,
I recently purchased a new laptop and am having trouble getting my library to transfer to my new laptop, i followed this step by step process http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1329?viewlocale=en_US and in the end ended up with no music on my ipod and no music in the itunes library on my new computer...
So then i went into Itunes on the new computer and clicked import library under File, so i found the Music folder that i had transferred over and it imported the music but all my playlist were not there, just songs. So i ended up syncing my ipod back to my old computer so i would get all the songs and playlist back on as it was originally before this whole process...
My desktop runs XP while my new laptop runs Vista Ultimate w/ SP1 home edition, dont know if this matters...
So not sure where i should go from here, i have already Authorized my laptop with the itunes store , i was thinking of uninstalling Itunes on my laptop and starting over from scratch, will this help?
BTW when i did the original transfer i used my Ipod as the hard drive as it had plenty of storage room left on it, i do have access to a 250GB external HD i was thinking of using that and trying that to transfer the library...
So if anyone can tell me how to transfer my Itunes library from old comp to new laptop it would be greatly appreciated...

The method you used should work if followed exactly.
The key points are - is your music all together? It must all be in the iTunes Music folder in the iTunes folder.
When you copy the iTunes folder to the iPod you get the library database with your playlists and the iTunes Music folder containing the music files.
Since you had trouble doing this with the iPod, why not try copying your iTunes folder to the external drive.
The method is identical the one for the iPod except you leave out the iPod specific stuff.
You install iTunes on the new PC, then you drag the newly created iTunes folder out the Music folder to the desktop, then you copy the iTunes folder from the EHD into Music, replacing the one you dragged out.
When you have done that, you need to check that your account has full control of your iTunes folder - Vista is fussy about that - you will not be able to edit track info if you don't have full control.
Vista file folder permissions help
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/

How do I transfer my itunes library from old computer to new?

How do I transfer my itunes library from old windows based computer to a new one?

From your OLD computer...
Copy your ENTIRE iTunes FOLDER to an External Drive... and then from the External Drive to your New Computer..
Full Details Here > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
Also...
Have a look at these 2 Videos...
http://macmost.com/moving-your-itunes-library.html
http://macmost.com/moving-your-itunes-media-to-an-external-drive.html

Trandferring iTunes library from old computer to new computer

How do I transfer files from my old computer to my new computer. I have copied my music library to an external hard drive and copied it to my new computer. However, I have lost most of the album artwork. Also, I am showing multiple copies of the same album, but each album has a song or two only. I encountered this problem previously when I first loaded my CDs onto my computer. I spent countless hours fixing that mess and it now appears that I am faced with having to redo it. Help anyone.

How to Copy and Move (Clone) your iTunes Library from One Computer to Another – or Archive Prior to a PC Re-Image or Reformat
This well-written iLounge Article is a must-read for anyone considering moving their Library to a new computer or a new location. Or, just wants a better understanding of how iTunes manages your music.
Below is the conceptual framework with related and important links. Apply and adapt it to your specific situation and equipment resources.
The safest, quickest, and most optimal method to move your Library to a new computer is to actually clone the entire ‘iTunes’ folder (directory) 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 (both Drive Letter and complete Path) 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!!
iTunes Files to Copy and Move to your New PC (for iPod, iTouch &/or iPhone – use as needed)
1) All Music Files in their current folder structure (usually located in and under the ‘iTunes Music’ folder)
2) All Application Files in their current folder structure (usually located in the ‘Mobile Applications’ folder)
3) All Album Artwork Files in their current folder structure (usually located in and under the ‘Album Artwork’ folder)
4) The Library database file: ‘iTunes Library.itl’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
5) The Library XML file: ‘iTunes Music Library.xml’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
6) The iTunes Library Extras.itdb and iTunes Library Genius.itdb files, also in the ‘iTunes’ folder
Some additional files to consider also include in a backup:
7) Any XML playlist files created for Playlist retention
8) The two iTunes.pref files (optional)
i) C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes.pref
ii) C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer Inc\iTunes.pref
9) The XML file of Ratings, Play Counts and Last Played attributes saved from the main Library and created by Otto’s SaveRatings script (also optional, but recommended):
“Download this: http://ottodestruct.com/itunes/SaveRatings.zip . It's a program, just run it like any other program. Run it on the machine where you're copying the info from BEFORE you move the files to the new machine. Click the "Save Ratings" button and it'll create a ratings.xml file. Now when you move the files, move the program and this file as well. Then after you make your new iTunes library, run it again and click the "Restore Ratings" button. Voila, all your information is back in the Library. Well, most of it anyway, it's not perfect. It'll tell you what songs it couldn't figure out though, and there's usually not very many.”
10) The folder(s) used to store and sync photos to your iPhone (if applicable)
11) The iTunes created Backup of your iPhone usually located at:
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup
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 500GBs-1TB of storage. See This Link
2) Directly connect the two computers:
2a) Connect them through a Router &/or Network
2b) Directly connect using an Ethernet cable: Straight for using at least one Mac; or Crossover for PC/PC Instructions here.
2c) Connect them via a USB-to-USB Network Bridge. Example here. There are various types out there (use Google).
--Then copy the 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.
These are links to various additional instructions on performing the transfer (read them all, but some listed steps may not be required depending on your specific situation):
Switch from PC to Mac Using the iPod
hudgie: Migrating iTunes for Windows to a new PC
How to copy music between authorized computers
Also, remember to Deauthorize your PC before you reformat it, dispose of it, or retire it from iTMS use (if applicable).
Best of Luck

Using Home Sharing to transfer itunes library from old computer to new but connection keeps timing out...anyone have a solution?

Hello everyone,
I am attempting to use Home Sharing to import my itunes library from my old computer to new (as per instructions on this site), but the connection keeps "timing out" and so the import gets cut short.
Both computers have the new itunes (I updated them last night), but only seem to get about 5 minutes (or 100 songs in) before the connection error occurs.
I have an external hard drive and would use it to transfer my library (which is ~45GB) however my old computer isn't recognizing the hard drive so I thought Home Sharing was a good option...perhaps I was wrong?
Help Please!
Thanks

You might need to make sure neither is going to sleep (System Prefs > Energy Saver)
Also check your settings under System Prefs > Security. My sisters new laptop kept logging off due to some setting there.
HTH

Moving files from old computer to new

I have purchased my daughter a Powerbook 1.3 Ghz and need to move her files, applications, etc., from her old Powerbook 400 mhz to the new one. I have an external firewire drive that will make this easy, I think, but I am concerned about what exactly to move so that her safari bookmarks and her iTunes playlists, preferences, etc., all make the jump.
I'm sure there is a trick to doing this. I just don't know what it is.
Thanks in advance,
Jim

This should help:
Folders You Can Move to Your new Mac
From the Home folder copy the contents of Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites.
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/com.apple.mail.plist (* This is a very important file which contains all email account settings and general mail preferences.)
/Home/Library/Preferences/ copy any preferences needed for third-party applications
/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
For FireFox:
/Home/Library/Applications Support/FireFox
/Home/Library/Preferences/org.mozilla.firefox.plist
Credit goes to another forum user for this information.
If you have DRM protected tunes and/or tunes purchased from the iTunes Store, then be sure you de-authorize the old computer before moving the iTunes library and re-authorizing the new computer after the library has been moved.
About De-authorizing
Moving an iTunes Library

Transfering ITunes Library From Old Computer To New

I just got a new Dell Inspiron 1720 laptop with Vista. I want to move my ITunes library over from the old HP desktop with XP to the new laptop. Three Questions:
1) Is there a relatively easy way of doing this?
2) If yes, what are the steps?
3) 99% of my library is comprised of songs that I have uploaded from CDs, not purchased from ITunes... does that make a difference?
I'd prefer not to have to reload all of my cd's onto the new computer.

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. If the songs in your library are not all in the iTunes Music folder you can consolidate them. When you consolidate, any songs in the iTunes Library that are not in the iTunes Music Folder are copied to the Music Folder and the Library is updated to point to those new files. Files already in the iTunes Music Folder have no changes made to them: Copying all your iTunes files to one location - Windows
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.
If you have an iPod it 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
If you have any iTunes purchases in your library don't forget that you'll need to authorise your new computer to play them. Also if you are disposing of the old PC remember to deauthorise it so you don't use up one of your allowances: About iTunes Music Store Authorisation and Deauthorisation

How can i transfer my iTunes library from old computer to new with all artwork and tags intact?

Is it possible to just copy the iTunes folder on my Windows PC from the old computer to a hard drive and then to the new Mac Book, and have the library look the same? Importing the files using the "add folder to library" function results in many files coming up with "unknown artist" and/or "unknown album." But I didn't think just copying the iTunes folder from one computer to the other would work, without somehow also using the "add folder to library" function.
I know there are other questions on site (one by me, actually), but I was hoping for any more information. Many thanks, in advance.

FYI, just in case anyone sees this and has the same problem, I posted another question beginning with the words "How can I get all music "tags" to transfer . . . " which outlines a solution. Good luck to anyone with the same issue - the transfer can be done!

Moving music from old computer to new computer

I recently purchased my MacBook Pro and I am trying to move all of my music from my old computer to this one. You might think that simply copying the songs to an iPod (as files, not music that can be listened to) and trasferring them to the desired computer would solve my problem. However, this has proved unsucessful so far. I am trying to avoid importing all of my backup CDs because the album artwork would be lost. Is there a way to hook my two computers up via FireWire or something else? The computer I want to transfer music from is an iMac - one of the new flat panels but without the built in iSight so it has FireWire ports. Any help on this matter is greatly appreciated.

If your iPod is large enough, you can transfer the library without loosing anything (ratings, play counts etc.) using these instructions:
How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer.
Another method is to connect your computers by Ethernet or Firewire.
Using the latter method, put the source computer in Firewire target disk mode. The MacBook will see the iMac as an external HD.
You can then copy all your music to the MacBook.
If your MacBook has the same file structure (folder mapping and username) of the iMac, copy the entire iTunes folder (including iTunes Music folder and the library files) to the same location on your MacBook. iTunes will recognize the library and find all songs.
Hope this helps.
M
17' iMac fp 800 MHz 768 MB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.7) Several ext. HD (backup and data)

Move itunes library from old computer to new computer

How can I move my itunes library(including songs from CDs) from an old computer to a new computer? I can only seem to find instructions to move purchases, but not all the songs I downloaded from CDs.

Type "move itunes library" into the google search bar.

Moving iWeb from old computer to new

I just bought a new computer with iLife 08, the old computer has iLife 06. How do I move my website from iWeb to the new computer? I saw one internet suggestion that I look for a file in users/myname/library/application support/iweb. This folder does not exist on my old computer. Thanks for any help.

On the old computer the domain file for iweb is only in the library folder under the main HD and not in the user library. I copied this Domain, and on the new computer the only iweb folder was in the user library (which there is only one user) so I pasted the domain file there. This did not work, when I open iweb I still get he start up for new user screen.

Moving mail from old computer to new

I am trying to move my husbands mail from our old computer to the new one.
I have copied:
HD>Users>Jeff>Library>Mail (folder)
and HD >Users>Jeff>Library>Preferences>mail
to the same spots on my new computer.
When I open mail it just tries to start a new account.
What am I missing. Is there an easier way?
thanks Laura

and HD >Users>Jeff>Library>Preferences>mail
what exactly did you move for that one? you need to move the file /users/username/library/preferences/com.apple.mail.plist and the mail folder you mentioned.
when you start mail it will look as it did on the old computer. make sure you are copying the right things to the right location.

Moving Library from old computer to new

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