Transferring library to iTunes on a new computer

I have an extensive iTunes library on my old computer that I use for my video iPod. I recently got a new computer and want an easy way to transfer the library over to iTunes on that computer. When I plug my current iPod into the new computer it says that my iPod is already synced with another iTunes library and that I can only have one synced up at a time. Is there any way of tranferring my library using my iPod or without using an external hard drive? I have tried using a flash drive but it seems that it will take forever! Thanks for any suggestions you might have!

See if either of these help.
Transferring music from a Windows computer
How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer

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Transfering playlist to itunes on a new computer

I currently have iTunes on my computer and all my music is kept on a external hard drive and would like to transfer everything to a new computer. I've done this once before and I lost all of my playists that I made. Is there a way to save/load my playlists onto the new computer?

Playlists are contained in the iTunesLibrary.itl file in the iTunes folder.
Move or Copy the ENTIRE iTunes folder from the current computer to the new computer and everything will transfer over.

Transferring two separate iTune accounts to New Computer

Help! My two children have a new computer and need to set-up their separate iTunes accounts. They have separate User Accounts in Windows XP (neither is the administrator). What do I do next?
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There is an Apple article How to use multiple iPods with one computer which may help:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432

My laptop recently crashed and is unsalvagable with my itunes library on it. My ipod touch has all of my music still on it. Is there a way that I can put the songs on my ipod onto itunes on my new computer??

My laptop recently crashed and is unsalvageable with my itunes library on it. My ipod still has all of my music still on it.
Is there a way that I can put the songs on my ipod onto itunes on my new computer without loosing them or having to buy them all over again?

Syncing to a new iTunes library or computer will erase your ipod. Only if you back up your iPod manually before syncing, you can restore your device from that backup again. A manual backup does not include the sync process.
Disable autosync in iTunes, connect your iPod to your new computer and right click on it in the device list and choose backup. iTunes will backup your ipod without syncing.
Transfer your purchases the same way, choosing "transfer purchases" this time.
When you connect your iPod for the first time, all media content will be erased. But you can restore your settings and app data from your manual backup afterwards.
Don't forget to set up at least one contact and event on your new computer to be able to merge calendars and contacts when you sync the ipod for the first time.
Music is one way only, from the computer to your device, unless you bought the songs in itunes and transferred your purchases.
There is 3rd party software out there, but not supported by Apple, see this thread:http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2013615&tstart=0
About backups and what's saved: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4946
How to back up and restore:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414
How to download apps for free again:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519
Saving other data is also described here. How to back up your data and set up as a new device

Transfering music from my iPod to my itunes on a new computer

a few days ago, the power surged and destroyed my computer, and I just got a new one. Today I installed iTunes to my new computer, and when I went to transfer the music from my iPod to my new computer, I discovered that I couldn't do this. I checked the support section of iTunes for help, and only found information on transfering music while the old computer is still accessable. Since my old computer is dead, I can't access it to follow any of the steps of the guide, or disconnect my iPod from the iTunes on my old computer. Does anyone know how I can sync my iPod with my new computer and sync the songs from my iPod onto my new computer (rather than erase all my songs which appears to be just about the only option my iTunes is offering right now)?

jmanbassdude wrote:
How about this, I have an iPod that is synced to my friends computer. I finally got my own computer and want to transfer everything to this computer so I can add new stuff, but I want to leave my library at my friends house so I have a backup. So my question is, if I add stuff to my library on my computer and I reconnect it to my friends computer, will I lose the stuff I added from my computer?
If you click "erase & sync" if prompted, yes.
And also, do I need to go to my frineds house with my computer to transfer the non-purchased stuff?
Don't steal music...
The reason I want to know is I dont want to lose the stuff I have added from my computer when I connect to my friends computer. Any help is much appreciated!! Thanks in advance! =)

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

I just bought a new computer and have tried syncing my iTunes library and iPod 160gb classic to the newly downloaded iTunes on my new computer. It is not working.

Please can somebody help? I followed the instructions on the support page for transferring music from computer to another by downloading the music files then putting them into the iTunes music file on the new computer. Unfortunately, iTunes on the new computer is not recognising the files. I have turned on home sharing to see if I could transfer them that way. It seemed to work then disappeared entirely. I tried connecting my iPod to see if it would recognise it that way. It does recognise my iPod but not the music in it and will not sync with my new computer.
Sorry if this is a boring subject that everyone has had a problem with but I am not able to get a proper answer on the internet. This should be easy not rocket science.
Thanks for your help.
LD

Hi ldean1,
Welcome to the Support Communities!
The best way to get your music onto your new computer is to create a backup of your iTunes libray from your old computer to an external drive. Follow the steps in this article:
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
You may also need to remove and reinstall iTunes and it's components. These articles will provide installation troubleshooting steps:
Removing and reinstalling iTunes and other software components for Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1923?viewlocale=en_US
Issues installing iTunes or QuickTime for Windows
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1926
Cheers,
- Judy

I just installed iTunes on my new computer and transferred all my files, but now every song has a duplicate

Hi everyone. CAn someone help me wiht this problem? I recently bought a new Windows 8 machine and transferred all my music onto the new computer. When I installed iTunes and loaded all of my music, every song title has been duplicated. When you click on the first title, iTunes tells you it can't find the file. The second title will play. Is there some easy way to fix this problem without manually deleting all of the duplicate titles?

First and foremost, learn punctuation and capitalization so we can read what you're writing properly.

HT201272 I have tried several ways to transfer my itunes library and Playlists to a new computer. I get the music library but not the playlists. Can you advise? 2nd I purchased 21 new tunes yesterday on the new computer worked great but when I made a disc

I have tried several ways to transfer my itunes library and Playlists to a new computer. I get the music library but not the playlists. Can you advise?
2nd > I purchased 21 new tunes yesterday on the new computer> worked great> but when I made a disc to transfer the playlist. I get the music but no album info just 1,2,3,etc. So I have signup both computers to share thinking that would work. But no to that also.
Please advise.
Thanks,
Bob

Copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder from old computer to new computer.
See this -> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527

HT1848 I just purchased a new computer and I want to sync my itouch music, music from CD's I own and NOT purchased thru itunes, to the new itunes on the new computer. How do I accomplish this? Again, music on my itouch to a new computer itubnes library.

I recently bought a new windows computer. I downloaded itunes on my new computer. When I went to sync it only allowed my to sync purchased music. Problem is I have about 200 CD's of mine that I downloaded to the itouch on the previous PC. How do I get that music to sync as well. Please help

Copy your music library from the old machine to the new, or from the backup of your old machine to the new.

I found information on how to transfer my library to a new computer. I am going to use an external hard drive for this and transfer my itunes folder to the new computer. I will then download and install a new version of itunes on my new computer. My q

I found information on how to transfer my itunes library to a new computer. I am going to use an external hard drive for this to transfer my itunes folder to the new computer.
I will then download and install a new version of itunes on my new computer.
My question is this. When I do this, will itunes have all my album artwork for all my library? My library has a lot of my own music and I have spent quite a bit of time copying album artwork that itunes did not add. I am really hoping I don't have to do this again!
Thanks for your help!

If you follow the directions in this Link...
Copy iTunes to an External Drive
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
Everything should be carried across...

I have downloaded the most recent itunes on my new computer with windows 8 but a message pops up saying "the itunes library.itl file is locked, on a locked disk or you do not have write permission for this file. How do I fix?

I have downloaded the most recent itunes on my new computer with windows 8 but when I attempt to get in I get this message "The itunes library.itl file is locked, ona locked disk, or you do not have write permission for this file." How do i fix this?

Repair iTunes Security Permissions
Right-click on your main iTunes folder and click Properties, then go to the Securitytab and click Advanced. Use the Change Permissions... button grant to your account (or the Users group) and SYSTEM full control of this folder, subfolders and files, then tick the option to Replace permissions entries... which will repair permissions throughout the library. When complete switch to the General tab, click in the Read-only check box to clear it, then click Apply.
If you don't have the option to change the permissions then use the Owner tab and Edit... button to take ownership from an account with administrator privileges. Tick the option to Replace owner on subcontainers and objects.
Repeat with the media folder if it isn't stored inside the main iTunes folder.
If you've brought over the library from another computer you may also want to remove any "mystery" identities (S<string of dashes & digts>) that have come over from the old computer...
The images above are from Windows 7. Hopefully the system isn't too different in Windows 8.
tt2

My computer was totally destroyed & I do not have backup or external hard drive with my iTunes library. Will I be able to access my iTunes library when I purchase a new computer? It was the only computer authorized to play library.

My computer was totally destroyed & I do not have backup or external hard drive with my saved iTunes library from it. That was the only computer authorized to play library. I do not have an iPod or iPhone with any of that library (which has over $2K in music purchases & over 5K in songs I ripped). Will I be able to access my iTunes library when I purchase a new computer?

You should be able to access your past iTunes purchases. You'll need to re-rip your CDs See: HT2519 - Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store.
See also this backup tip so you don't get caught out again.
tt2

Trying to Transfer iTunes to a New computer, but I get the error message The file "iTunes Library.itl" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes --- HELP!

Trying to Transfer iTunes to a New computer, but I get the error message The file "iTunes Library.itl" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes --- HELP

Did you downgrade iTunes? What version is listed in Help> About iTunes?
If you don't have iTunes 10.5.2, download it from here -> http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
If you have iTunes 10.5.2, try re-creating your iTunes library.

I downloaded itunes on a new computer and signed in, how can i get my existing music, etc onto my library without deleting it on my ipod, if I synch it will delete all my stuff and i will have nothing on my ipod

I downloaded itunes on a new computer and signed in, how can i get the existing music, etc from my ipod to my library without losing it? HELP!

Copy everything from your old computer, or your backup copy of your old computer, to your new one.
The ipod is not a backup/storage device.

Transferring library to iTunes on a new computer

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