Trying to transfer iTunes library on Windows to new Mac

I looked at the tutorial on how to transfer my Windows iTunes library onto a Mac and I'm having several problems. When I tried to consolidate my iPod my computer told me I don't have a enough room on my C Drive. If I can't have my whole library, that's okay, I at least want to get some of it onto the Mac because I'm leaving for five months for Europe. Second, the tutorial tells you to copy the iTunes library onto the iPod, but doesn't tell you how to do that beyond locating the folder. Once I have accomplished this (if someone will tell me) how do I transfer the music on the Mac without losing all of my music from my iPod?

Welcome to Apple Discussions.
I believe the best and simplest way is to use a network cable to connect the computers, if possible. Can you do this?
Copy songs over a network

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Trying to transfer Itunes Library from Windows to OSX.

I'm trying to move my library from my old Windows PC to a new MacBook Air. I've seen the information on "just transfer the itunes folder" which sounds fantastic... But will that work as simply for a cross OS transfer. Especially, since the directory structures are radically different.
Any thoughts on how to make the transfer? I can always import things and hopefully save and import playlists... but that will take AGES...
Any help would be appreciated.

These pages may be of some help:
How to move an iTunes library from a PC to Mac
Networking with a Windows PC
Don't forget by the way if you have purchased any tracks from the iTunes Music Store to deauthorise your old PC if you are disposing of it so you don't use up your 5 allowances: About iTunes Music Store Authorisation and Deauthorisation

Transfer iTunes Library from WIndows XP to Mac Snow Leopard

1.) I had iTunes installed on a Windows XP PC
2.) My iPad was synched to the library on my Windows XP PC
3.) My Windows XP PC crashed - motherboard failure
4.) Gave up on PCs and Windows. Purchased a new 21.5" iMac 3.60 GHz Intel Core i5 a couple of weeks ago
5.) I still have my old Windows XP hard drive - NTFS formatted - with my data on it, I believe intact. However, no way to access it because the PC is toast
6.) I have created a Bootcamp partition on my new Mac and formatted it with NTFS. Had to install Windows 7 because I could no longer find or access Windows XP installation media
7.) Assuming I can get my old XP hard drive installed into another PC to access my data, how do I move my iTunes library, backups, music, purchases, archived apps/material from the XP machine to my nex iMac?
8.) How do I "deauthorize" my iPad on the old XP hard drive and "authorize" it on my new iMac?
Thanks in advance for any assistance I can get.
Steve

Yeah, you can do it on a Mac. Its very easy and take a short amount of time. Just make sure everything on it is backed up.
Insert the drive. Open Disk Utility. Go to Erase. Under Format, select the FAT option. You can give it a name if you want to, under the Name part, but its not necessary. Lastly, click on Erase. The process should take less than a minute but it varies on the drive and computer.

Just got an imac and am trying to transfer itunes library from Dell pc via home share method. All goes well but directions say to click the import button. I don't see an import button anywhere. If I close itunes on pc it also disappears from imac.

Just got an imac and am trying to transfer itunes library from dell pc using home share method. All goes well until the end when directions say to click import button. I don't see one anywhere. If I shut down itunes in the pc the library also disappears from the imac. Am I doing something wrong?

ronaldfromoaklyn wrote:
All goes well until the end when directions say to click import button. I don't see one anywhere.
check the lower right corner of the iTunes window
if you don't see this while the homeshared library is loaded, home sharing hasn't been set up properly.
If I shut down itunes in the pc the library also disappears from the imac. Am I doing something wrong?
no.
that's expected behavior.

Is there an easier way to transfer your iTunes library on windows to a mac than copying the library to a usb and plugging the usb into the mac and put the library in the iTunes file

is there an easier way to transfer your iTunes library on windows to a mac than copying the library to a usb and plugging the usb into the mac and put the library in the iTunes file? I recently swapped to Mac and this is how i moved the library from windows to mac and library is in tact but is there an easier way? My cousin just imported her cd's again, but it was harder for me as i have an ipod with over 150 apps and i needed to move them. i think it would be helpful if i knew of an easier way so i can help a friend move his. Thanks

The general method of use is to download a script (double-click or right-click and use Download or Save As...) 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 or sometimes the entire library.
tt2

Transferred iTunes library from pc to new mac, iTunes ; however, when opening iTunes on mac it reports the library was created with a newer version of iTunes and won't open.

Transferred Itunes library from pc to new mac; however, when opening itunes on the new mac it reported that the library was created with a newer version of itunes and could not be opened. It asked if I wanted to download updates and I did. However, the new mac is up to date. Itunes won't open. What to do now? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jim

Hello, Stephen.
Thank you for the question. You will need to rebuild your iTunes library file in order to open an older version of iTunes. Below, I have included the article that walks you through this process. Start with the section labeled Re-creating the iTunes Library file.
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
Cheers,
Jason H.

Tried to transfer iTunes library to an external harddrive--messed it all up

I have a large collection of music--some of it in mp3/wav files (pre-iTunes), and the rest of it was downloaded directly from either the iTunes store or Amazon.com.
I had my iTunes library edited and perfected exactly the way I wanted it, but after downloading some television series from iTunes, I was running out of space on my harddrive. Things were moving pretty slow on old C:, and I thought I could help things out by moving my music files (including all iTunes music and television files), video files, and eBook files to an external harddrive.
I tried to follow some online directions, but the instructions were written for an earlier version of iTunes, so I improvised a few steps. I really screwed it up. I tried to combine all of the content from "My Music" and "iTunes Music" into a massive file on my external drive called "G:/MUSIC". I thought if I changed the library location in iTunes that it would recognize the new location, and everything would be fine. Unfortunately, when I reopened iTunes, the entire library was blank.
I tried File-->Add Folder to Library-->G:/MUSIC, and it imported some of the music, but not all of it. The music it did import had a lot of the old typos and category errors that I had previously fixed when my iTunes library was on my C: drive. It did not import any of the subfolders containing music from the previously existing “iTunes Music” folder. When I tried to add one of the folders that contained music I recently purchased from iTunes, it was not visible to me via the “Add Folder” option. When I open my G: drive in Windows Explorer, all of my iTunes music folders are visible.
I still have old library files, but I don’t know enough about iTunes to know how to fix this mess I’ve created. I haven’t deleted anything--if something isn’t on my G: drive, it is probably in my Recycle Bin, which has not been emptied.
Can anyone help me? I feel like a complete idiot for making this mess. Clearly, I had no idea what I was doing.
Thanks in advance,
Carrie

Yes, check this link, https://discussions.apple.com/message/1531620#1531620

Transfer itunes library from windows pc to new macbook pro?

I have a new Macbook Pro on the way. This is my first Mac ever.I just want to know how I can transfer my itunes library from my windows pc to my new Macbook Pro?Thanks for the help.I am sure I am going to have alot more questions on Tuesday when I get this. Thanks for the help. John

See this: Move iTunes from PC to MAC, http://www.macworld.com/article/146958/2010/03/moveitunes_windowsmac.html

Transfer iTunes library from Windows 7 PC to new Macbook Pro

Had a Dell computer that had a failed video card. So I purchased a 13-inch Macbook Pro as a replacement. How do I transfer my iTunes purchases from my Windows 7 x64 PC to an OS X Lion Macbook Pro? Will need to move my entire iTunes library as well (ripped music as well as iTunes purchased music and Apps). I also have several iPods and iPads that I'll need to authorize on the Macbook that used to be authorized on the Windows 7 PC. I guess I'll have to deauthorize my old Dell computer in order for my iTunes purchases to be recognized on the Macbook (can still access the computer, just the resolution is bad)?
On my Dell, I've had to reinstall the OS a few times (upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 x32 then Windows 7 x64, and a few OS crashes, etc.) so not sure how many times I've had to authorize my purchases (think the limit is 5 times?).

See here for
Move iTunes Library from PC to MAC
http://www.macworld.com/article/146958/2010/03/move_itunes_windows_mac.html
Backup iTunes to an External Drive
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
Download Past Purchases
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519

How to Transfer iTunes Library from Windows to Mac

I'm having some trouble moving my iTunes library from my old Windows XP Dell to my new MacBook Pro. I used my iPod video on the Dell, but now that I have a Mac, I want all my songs to be moved over there. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to do this. I looked at the Apple Support pages, but none of them address this particular issue. Can someone guide me on how to do transfer my library?
Thanks!

the ipod now showing up in my computer or wherever is probably because the ipod is not set for disk use. go to the ipod settings in itunes and fink the check box where it says "enable disk use" this should make the ipod show up. now you should be able to put the songs onto the ipod as a music file to transfer them. other methods of transfer could be an external hard drive, a travel drive, a usb cable, or the most convenient but frustrating way is to open the ipod folder in my computer... and nvm i cant remember how to do it and dont have a working ipod at the moment to find out. ill post that solution later. i will say it involves opening the folder where the music is saved on the ipod, copying them onto the computer and renaming every single file. this is convienient only because it doesnt require modification or movement of any songs to the ipod because it uses the ones on there. all the files renamed with random letters and numbers when put on the ipod so youll have to reorganize all songs

How to transfer Itunes library from Windows XP to new Imac?

I have just purchased a new Imac and want to transfer my Itunes library from my Windows XP pc to new Imac. I have both computers on an Airport wireless home network. If this proves to be difficult, can I use a jump drive? Thanks
iMac Mac OS X (10.4.5)

I just got a shiny new Mac, and don't want to lose my music library!
No need! iTunes for Windows is almost exactly identical to iTunes for Mac, and switching over is actually very easy.
First thing you're going to have to do is figure out a data route. Although you can technically use CDs or DVDs, in order to best transfer all data, including playlists and ratings, you'll want another method.
If you have a network set up, you're good to go.
An external hard drive will work as well, just remember that Windows won't read a Mac formatted disk. The iPod is also an external hard drive, and can be used in the same way.
<hr>
Once you have the method set up, you're going to have to prepare iTunes.
Open iTunes for Windows, 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 Mac. 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 Mac.
Now, on the Mac, open either the external HDD, or the network folder, and copy the folder iTunes to the Home/Music folder.
Start up iTunes on the Mac, and everything should be in place.
Cleaning up
If you have music purchased from the iTunes Music Store, you're going to have to authorize your Mac. If you're not going to be using your Windows machine for iTMS songs anymore, you may want to deauthorize it. Either way, this article has all of the information you need: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93014
If you're not going to be using the Windows machine for music, you can safely delete the music from it, as it is now on the Mac. However, unless it is actually bothering you there, there's no reason to do so. Redundancy is great for data.
About an iPod:
First, Apple has a doc about using the iPod to switch. It has some great info about moving your documents, emails, etc. However, the method of music transfer there doesn't save most of your library data.
Second, you may want to reformat your iPod for the Mac. The advantage, basically, is some transfer speed. The disadvantage is Windows' inability to read Mac disks without 3rd party software. Either way, the doc on formatting (restoring) is here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983#One
That's it! Your music collection should be up and running in iTunes for Mac. A couple of places to check out, both showing the 'extras' of the Mac version of iTunes vs. Windows:
Doug's AppleScripts for iTunes
VersionTracker
<hr>
With a lot of help from DC

Am trying to transfer iTunes library to an external disk for back-up purposes. have followed normal protocol i.e. locating iTunes file in Music folder and dragging across to external disk icon. However, nothing seems to happen. Any advice please?

Am trying to transfer an iTunes library to an external disk for back up. Have followed normal instructions by locating iTunes folder in Music file and dragging across the iTunes folder to the external disk icon. Nothing happens. No notifications. Just a very pregnant pause. Any advice gratefully appreciated.
Michael L J

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
The external drive must be formatted in "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)", exFAT or FAT32, because OS X can't write in NTFS partitions by default.
As you just want the library on the external drive to make a backup of your library, you can format it in "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" by using Disk Utility > http://pondini.org/OSX/DU1.html (Note that you won't be able to use the external drive with PCs unless you install a special application in them).
Finally, drag your iTunes folder to your external drive

Tried to use iTunes library from Windows and Mac - lost everything

My iTunes Library is on a NAS (Dlink DNS-323) and until last night, I was only using it with my two macs (both running 10.5.6).
Last night, I wanted to use it from my Vista laptop so I looked up online and realized I can easily do it by renaming the "iTunes Library" file to iTunes Library.itl and double clicking from iTunes on Windows.
It seemed to work because when iTunes opened, I could see my playlists and I saw the message "updating library". I was afraid about the update to the library, so I just exit iTunes at the time thinking it would all be ok.
Guess not. This morning when I opened iTunes from my iMac, it opened with and empty library. I tried to do Library/Import Playlist and it did nothing but add the "standard" playlists to my library. I tried it a few times, with different settings (trying to re-rename the .itl back to just iTunes Library for example) and nothing worked.
Do I have any hope to recreate the library? From now on I will be backing up the NAS also, but meanwhile any ideas?

Your library file was being converted from Mac-based paths to Windows-based paths; apparently iTunes isn't courteous enough to work on a temp file while doing that conversion. You're not going to get it back. (And now you've learned the hard lesson of making backups of your important stuff
If the "iTunes Music Library.xml" file is still in one piece, you can use File menu -> Library -> Import playlist and point the file dialog to the xml file. Just about all the previous iTunes-only metadata will be imported (IIRC, about all you lose is some "Skip" info, and of course, Date Added will reflect the new date of import).

How to transfer itunes library from windows to mac, not all my songs were successfully transferred

I recently bought a new mac air and the Apple Store transferred my files from my windows laptop( windows 7) to my new mac. however, I lost over a 1000 songs in the process. How can i get all my songs into my new library?

Hello pmwildcat
I would use either Home Sharing or use an external drive to get the songs and copy them over. If they are purchased items from the iTunes Store, you can download them from looking at your purchase history.
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Downloading past purchases from the iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Regards,
-Norm G.

Best Method for transfering iTunes library from Windows 7 to Mac OSX

I just bought a MacBook Air and am in the process of preparing my file transfer. The only data on my computer I really care about is my school/work files, (which are very easy to transfer), and my iTunes library. What is the best method for transfering music?
I was going to use an external drive and simply drag and drop everything. Last time I did this I needed a special file in order to keep my playlists, top rated, and playcount. Is there an easier and faster method now? I have about fifty gigabites of music so I think it might take longer over wifi.
I also have an iPhone and have already transfered all of the recent purchases. If I export my library, will all my iPhone backup data stay there as well?
If anybody has some insight or a link that outlines all of this that'd be great. Thanks in advance.

Here's a pretty comprehensive "how to"
http://myfirstmac.com/how-do-i-move-my-itunes-library-from-pc-to-mac-and-keep-my -settings-intact.html
Make sure the external drive is foratted so both the pc and the mac can read and write to it.
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57401784-285/the-best-ways-to-format-an-exte rnal-drive-for-windows-and-mac/
good luck.

Trying to transfer iTunes library on Windows to new Mac

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