Restoring my library

I recently had to reinstall my operating system (Windows 2000). I've now reinstalled iTunes, but need to know the best way to restore my library. I have it on my iPod and on a back up drive.

Welcome to Apple Discussions, Nadine.
This is the iTunes for Mac discussion.
Please post your question in the iTunes for Windows discussion.
http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?14@@.68a50588

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My aperture library lives on an external hard drive that is corrupt and I can not locate the library. I do have it backed up with TM. How do I safely restore the library from TM to my laptop? I am using the newest version of aperture on my macbook pr

My aperture library lives on an external hard drive that is corrupt and I can not locate the library. I do have it backed up with TM. How do I safely restore the library from TM to my laptop? I am using the newest version of aperture on my macbook pro.

Hello Sandra,
The article linked below details how to go about restoring items from Time Machine in Snow Leopard.
Mac OS X 10.6: Recovering items using Time Machine and Spotlight
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH6379
Sincerely,
Allen

How do I restore iTunes library from Backup files on External Hard Drive?

How do I restore iTunes library from Backup files on External Hard Drive and keep the new iTunes library on the External Hard Drive. I have all the media and playlist and .xml .itl files, just want the iTunes to recognise the content.
I backedup my iTunes content by dragging to External Hard Drive. Formatted and reinstalled OS. My iTunes content is so large, that I wish for the Library and content to remain on the External Hard Drive. I have all the music files and playlists, I just cannot get the iTunes application to display all the content. Hoping to Not have to drag and drop all the content to be recopied into new iTunes organised files.
Troubleshooting this by researching other conversations on the web, I have come stuck for a solution. One Troubleshoot told me to hold down the Command key and then lauch iTunes and a dialogue box will appear to Choose a new library, however when I try this, no Dialogue box appear to give me the option!?

It sometimes has that funny switch symbol on it too.
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Windows Vista Home Premium- Restoring Itunes Library- Not Eonugh Space on C

I have 64 bit version of Vista Home Premium. Experiencing the following error when trying to restore music library. I have a 320 GB Hard Drive and a 250 GB external HD. After about 15 GB it states in the error-"Not enough space on C:/ library could not be saved. Anyone have any solutions?

Hi, that's not a problem I've spotted before. From what I can find out it seems ubd.exe is part of Windows and responsible for handling .dll files in some fashion. You could try the Microsoft support page Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files just to confirm that your system files are in order. More likely it is a problem with the Apple library being loaded. Unless you have thoroughly uninstalled all Apple components, deleted the recommended folders, then reinstalled it may be the case that you have an outdated file from the last build of iTunes that wasn't replaced, and that the error is generated by incompatible files trying to call each other.
If you didn't do a full tear down already my advice for doing so is in Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates
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HT1751 After "Restoring iTunes Library Backup" it wont link to the files in the iTunes folder. I've followed the correct procedure, and iTunes lists all my music correctly (but with no artwork), but can't locate any of the files. Using Windows 7. Help ple

After "Restoring iTunes Library backup" it wont link to the files in the iTunes folder. I've followed the procedure as described, and the iTunes folder is in the correct location. iTunes lists all my music correctly (albeit with no artwork), but can't locate any of the files.
I've been restoring my iTunes folder from a backup hard drive to a new computer on which I've downloaded the latest iTunes (10.7). If this is a newer version than the one I backed up with could this be the problem? (I had the latest (to my knowledge) iTunes when I backed up the folder about 3 weeks ago, was this version 10.7?)
Or is the version of iTunes (within recent updates) not an issue when restoring a library?
Using Windows 7.
Any help please?

From the top of the page where the scripts live...
The general method of use is to download the script to a folder of your choice, e.g. your Desktop, Downloads folder or create a folder at ...\iTunes\Scripts. Select a playlist or highlight some tracks in iTunes and then double-click on the script to execute it. If no specific tracks are selected the script will try to work with all tracks in the current playlist. Some scripts offer a choice of track by track confirmation of changes or fully automatic processing of the selection. Many of the scripts can optionally display a progress bar while running.
You are strongly advised to backup your entire library, or at the very least the iTunes Library.itl file, before use. Test the behaviour of your chosen script on a small group of files first to make sure it does what you want before applying it to large numbers of files.
Most builds of Windows will execute *.vbs scripts when you double-click them. If that doesn't happen then you might need to visit the Add/Remove Programs or Programs & Features control panel to enable the Windows Scripting Host. I can track down details if you have issues.
Backing up and restoring data is an area that is often glossed over. Most people don't try to learn much about it until they've lost something important. (Me too )
If your iTunes library was in the usual layout then normally copying the whole iTunes folder from the User's Music folder in the old computer to the User's Music folder in the new one will usually work fine. Ideally this is done before iTunes is installed so that there is no empty library to replace, and all settings are picked up from the old library. This post contains more details.
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Possible corrupt music file on back up disc - can't restore iTunes library!

Sold old laptop last week in prep for getting new PC, backed up iTunes library onto DVD disc (whole library went on 4.7GB disc with no problems) - got new PC yesterday, downloaded iTunes 9, inserted back up disc, tried to restore but keeps getting stuck on one song and going no further. Can anyone help with any other suggestions because I'm going nuts! Can't update my iPhone as there's nothing in iTunes to update it with!

Yes, the relative location is the same, the user account has the same short and long lame as before.
I did try to use the preferences to point to the backed up itunes folder. Once when it was on the eHD and once when I put it in the music folder. Unfortunatley no luck.
I will try your idea about using "Consolidate Library"
One other interesting thing I tried a few days ago was to follow the procedure outlined in the apple support section about restoring the library. It has you move the libray xml file to the desk top, trashing one of the other files (I forgot which) and then choosing the xml file placed on the desk top upon starting itunes. I thought it was kind of odd to select the very xml file I was having trouble with so I chose the backed up xml file. It put all of the playlist folders back in duplicate, but the library was still empty (probably becuase the xml file is just a reference file and I hadn't loaded any actual music files) If the consolidate doesn't work, mabye I'll try that again, but also put the folder with the actual files on the computer as well
I'll let you know how "Consolidate" works, thanks for your suggestions!

I deleted all the music from my itunes library because I thought I had it backed up on an external hard drive. Can I restore the library from my ipod touch?

I deleted all the music from my itunes library because I mistakenly thought I had it backed up on an external hard drive. Can I restore the library from my ipod touch?

Maybe here:
iCloud: Troubleshooting creating backups

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I have iTunes on my PC. I have my media on D drive while library file on C drive.
My C drive got corrupted and my computer started showing Blue Screen of Death. I tried every thing possible but was not able to restore any files from that drive. I had to reformat the drive and reinstall windows 7 again.
Since D drive was fine all my songs, videos, movies, apps and books are fine. How can I restore my library as is. There is no option to add the whole folder in iTunes. There are a lot of files to add individually. Please help.

Restore all of your important data from the backup of the computer.
If you have no backup, the library and playlists should be possible to recreate by following the instrucitons here: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451

Anyone know how to Restore iTunes Library from External HD

My PC won't even turn on anymore. But luckily, I have most of the iTunes Library backed up in an External HD.
Now, I've searched and can't find instructions from Apple on how to Restore the Library while keeping all the Playlists, Ratings, and all that other good stuff. Anyone know to do that, or at least WHERE that info is?
Thanks.
Message was edited by: MasterSpade

I have most of the iTunes Library backed up in an External HD
What exactly do you have backed up on the external?

Possible to Restore iTunes Library from Back-Up Drive?

Hi --
I just want to clarify what I've read on another thread about restoring my library from a backup.
I have a machine running XP Pro and I find myself in the unfortunate position of having to reinstall the OS. I regularly back-up my machine to an external hardrive so my iTunes library is safe. After I reinstall XP if I copy the back-up of my library back to my machine will iTunes recongnize everything? All I have to do is copy it back?
Thanks,
John

Your plan should work. One thing you need to do is deauthorize the computer prior to the reinstall. If you have purchased music & don't deauthorize, iTunes will view the system as new & will require another authorization.

Can't restore itunes library from external hard drive

Prior to my hard drive crashing, I dragged my entire itunes folder (with all sub folders) to a firelite external hard drive. I replaced the power book HD, and I want to put my backed up library on the new HD. I dragged the folder from the firelite to the music folder (in place of the itunes folder that was already there). Unfortunately, the itunes library is still empty. Am I missing something?

Yes, the relative location is the same, the user account has the same short and long lame as before.
I did try to use the preferences to point to the backed up itunes folder. Once when it was on the eHD and once when I put it in the music folder. Unfortunatley no luck.
I will try your idea about using "Consolidate Library"
One other interesting thing I tried a few days ago was to follow the procedure outlined in the apple support section about restoring the library. It has you move the libray xml file to the desk top, trashing one of the other files (I forgot which) and then choosing the xml file placed on the desk top upon starting itunes. I thought it was kind of odd to select the very xml file I was having trouble with so I chose the backed up xml file. It put all of the playlist folders back in duplicate, but the library was still empty (probably becuase the xml file is just a reference file and I hadn't loaded any actual music files) If the consolidate doesn't work, mabye I'll try that again, but also put the folder with the actual files on the computer as well
I'll let you know how "Consolidate" works, thanks for your suggestions!

How to restore iTunes Library from Time Machine on Mavericks?

Please, can someone give me the instructions on how to restore iTunes Library from Time Machine on Mavericks?

See Pondini's TM FAQs, for details.

How to restore iTunes library after operating system changed?

How to restore iTune library after operating system changed on the laptop? The syn is not working because it doesn't recognize the computer.

Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device: Apple Support Communities
Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive: Apple Support Communities
Sync Your iOS Device with a New Computer Without Losing Data - How-To Geek

Restoring iTunes library after hard drive crash

The hard drive on my Macbook pro (mid-2009) crashed. I took it to the genius bar for a diagnostic. The drive was physically fine so they wiped it and reinstalled Mavericks, which is now running 10.9.4. I am restoring user files from Time Machine individually to keep things clean. Hooray!
I'm now running iTunes 10.3.1. Years ago, I placed the iTunes library in Users>Shared on the hard drive, so my wife could access the files when she logged in. We don't need to do that now, so today I dragged all the music files from Time Machine to the "Music" section on the iTunes window.
They seem to have installed and indexed fine, but I lost some of the original data--like date added and numbers of plays--which would be nice to have. (Then all now read as installed today with zero plays.) My playlists are all gone as well; I'd like to have them back.
Is there any way to restore the music so those things stay intact, by basically making my library the way it was?
I considered dragging the entire set of folders over from the Shared section of Time Machine, but was afraid the music would not index, and the folder structure and nomenclature was different (for example, it had iTunes Music instead of iTunes media and there were a couple other anomalies). I imagine this is because the Shared library was set up under a different version of iTunes.
I hope this doesn't further complicate things but my user name was changed at the genius bar (from what it was prior to crash); they added my last name to my user name. I didn't notice till I got home. So far I have had no trouble accessing the files I have dragged in (Numbers, Word, etc), but don't know if the permissions on the music files might be affected.
All help greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answers to all your questions are in the links below:
What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847 - plus supplemental information about organizing to new structure https://discussions.apple.com/message/26404702#26404702
Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7392 and making an iTunes library portable.
06/2014 ChrisCA post: Restore iTunes library from Time Machine backup - https://discussions.apple.com/message/26104480#26104480

How to Restore iTunes Library after update?

Updated iMac to iTunes 11.0.5 and lost almost entire library of music (all but 3 songs). Tried to open iTunes with previous library but music I downloaded from CD's cannot be "located". Don't know how to find them. Tried to restore from back up external drive library, but those files are "locked" or I don't have permission. Purchased songs, with some exceptions, will play. Some don't though.
My library was from an much older version of iTunes (2008 or 09), could that be an issue? I don't use this desktop much at all, but would like to have the library be functional.
1. How can I restore my library getting all songs to play?
2. Should I update iTunes on my Macbook? It's using 11.0.4 now. I don't want to mess up it's library as that's the one I use.

Hi, Tluttrell.
Here is the best resource when experiencing issues with missing media after updating iTunes.
No content shows up in iTunes after updating
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1967
Regards,
Jason H.

How do I restore iTunes library from flash drive backup?

How do I restore iTunes library from flash drive backup?

brigdool wrote:
How do I restore iTunes library from flash drive backup?
HI Brigdool,
It depends how you made the backup.
If you copied your entire iTunes folder onto the flash drive, just copy it back to the appropriate place on the computer.
If you copied individual folders or files, add them back to iTunes by inserting the flash drive in your computer, and then dragging the files into your "Automatically Add to iTunes" folder.
The first method recreates your library as it was, with all playcounts, playlists, etc. The second method builds a new library with the same content.

Restoring my library

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