Upgraded ITunes, but Music library is missing

Is there a fix I can use to get the library back?
Thanx

How did you fix it? Cause I downloaded the 7.5 update, and when I go to open my itunes everything is gone, the library, playlists, purchase history tab. Is this what happened to you?

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I got a new PC Windows 8...downloaded iTunes--and half of my music library is missing.

I got a new HP with Windows 8, installed iTunes and half of my music library is missing. Please advise. Thanks.

Did you copy your library from your old computer, or backup copy of your old computer, to your new one.

"Damaged iTunes" / 75% of library suddenly missing

Can anyone please help me with this? I clicked on my iTunes the other day and instantly got the message "iTunes damaged" When I pulled up my iTunes, 75% of my music library was missing. I downloaded a upgrade to the latest version and my songs + artists are still missing.
I also went to Edit/ Preferences/ Advanced and selected my folder tunes folder in my external hard drive where all of my music is as my "iTunes Music Folder Location."
Please help. I trade bootleg music and have spent far too long labeling this stuff to have to re-burn it and do it again.
Thanks!

I had this same problem today and I freaked out!!! I just got the 4th gen ipod and im still using my 3rd gen which is jail broken. I choose to restore it and a few days later I noticed all the music, videos and apps from my itunes library was missing. I had backed up all music but not videos so I was a little mad, but then today when I turned on my new gen ipod all the music was missing from there as well!? Not sure what happened. thought maybe because it was jail broken it erased my library but why my new gen? I got most of everything back but not sure what happened. I also have had the 4th gen freeze often while trying to shoot video.

HT1711 Need to upgrade iTunes but laptop says it can't because iTunes was improperly installed. If I uninstall, will I loose everything?

I need to upgrade iTunes but my laptop say's it can't because iTunes was improperly installed to begin with. If I uninstall iTunes, will I loose all the work I've put into my downloads and my playlists?

Mr.Swede wrote:
I need to upgrade iTunes but my laptop say's it can't because iTunes was improperly installed to begin with. If I uninstall iTunes, will I loose all the work I've put into my downloads and my playlists?
No.
However, you do maintain complete and regular backups of your computer, correct?
For iTunes, the iTunes library is the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder.

Transfering iTunes and music library to another computer

Hello,
I just got a new computer and I want to transfer my iTunes and music library to it. I would normally just transfer the files to the new computer, install iTunes, and rebuild my library, but there are two things: 1) I don't want to lose my playlists and 2) I have purchased music from the iTunes Music Store and I'm not sure it will play if I do it like that.
I have a feeling it has to do with deauthorizing the old computer.
Can anyone help?
Thanks in advance.

Welcome, Fred, to the Apple Discussions!
Here's a post on transferring your Music Library from one computer to another:
Hudgie, "Migrating iTunes for Windows to a new PC", 04:11pm Jun 9, 2005 CDT
You will definitely have to authorize your new computer. And if you won't be using the old one to play purchased songs any more, you should de-authorize it. Have a look at:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93014

I have iTunes on my iPad. I have a new iPod nano. How do I connect iPod to iPad to download iTunes and music library?

I have iTunes on my iPad. I have a new iPod nano. How do I connect iPod to iPad to download iTunes and music library?

Hi Divine Inspiration,
You wouldn't connect the iPod to the iPad for data transfers. Music is stored and shared either through a computer or iCloud.
This article gives an overview of moving music and data off the iPad.
iTunes: Transferring media from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or iPod
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1209
and this article explains syncing to the iPod.
iTunes: Syncing media content to iPod
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1351
Thank you for thinking of Apple Support Communities for your support needs.
Nubz

Moving iTunes and music library from one computer to another

I need to move my iTunes and music library with purchased music, playlists, ratings, and legally downloaded music to another computer. How do I do that?

Try posting in the iTunes for Windows area. You'll be more likely to get a quick and accurate answer there than you will here in the iTunes for Macintosh forum. Good luck.

Missing music files in iTunes, but music IS on my iPod

I have a very large number of the exclamation points in my Music category in iTunes. The music is also missing from my harddrive - so I can't just "relink" it. Some of it is on a backup from months ago - but not all of it.
However, the vast majority of it IS on my iPod. So how can I move those files back to iTunes? I tried the simplistic approach of deleting the music listing from the Music category in iTunes, thinking it would be fooled into believing that the music on my iPod is a new purchase and it would transfer it back over. But before I hit the final delete it gives me the warning that this music will now be deleted from my iPod and that is the LAST thing that I want given it's my only copy.
Does anybody have ideas as to how to get these missing files from my iPod back to iTunes?
Thanks!
Kim

I should also add that not all of the music is from iTunes so I cannot just re-download. Some IS from iTunes, some is from Amazon in the days before I had an iPod and some are my own CDs.

My entire iTunes music library is missing. It's like iTunes reset itself and started over. How can I get my music back?

How can I get my music library back? When I launch iTunes there's no music. It's like iTunes started over completely and I can't find any of my music anywhere.

Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash
Hopefully it's not been too long since you last upgraded iTunes, in fact if you get an empty/incomplete library immediately after upgrading then with the following steps you shouldn't lose a thing or need to do any further housekeeping. In the Previous iTunes Libraries folder should be a number of dated iTunes Library files. Take the most recent of these and copy it into the iTunes folder. Rename iTunes Library.itl as iTunes Library (Corrupt).itl and then rename the restored file as iTunes Library.itl. Start iTunes. Should all be good, bar any recent additions to or deletions from your library.
See iTunes Folder Watch for a tool to catch up with any changes since the backup file was created.
In the unlikely event that all the media has been inexplicably and permanently removed from your computer, see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
When you get it all working make a backup!
tt2

Ing to upgrade\itunes but keeps saying installer files missing

have tried to upgrade itunes to latest version it gets so far and then i get a window that says there are installer files missing

then i get a window that says there are installer files missing
What's the precise text of that message please, sherie? (There's a few different ones I can think of that you might be getting.)
If it's easier, you could try posting a screenshot of the error message box.
Generate the error message again. While the error message box is open, hold down the Alt key and hit the PrtSc key. Paste the screenshot into an image file (using a program like Paint), and save the file.
Start a reply here and click the wee camera icon at the top of the reply window. Click "Choose file", browse to the image file, select the file and click "Open". Now click "Insert file" to insert the screenshot into the reply.

Want to upgrade itunes but dont want to lose songs

hi,
i have the older version of itunes...i would like to download the newest version...will i lose my songs if i download and use the new version?
sincerely
burnt out lightbulb
dell Windows XP

Upgrading to a newer version should not impact your existing music Library....but why take the risk.
Backup your music Library regularly and always before performing an iTunes upgrade.
Or don't, and pay the price (time and money) if you have a hiccup.....
You can Use iTunes for Backing up your Music, but I do not favor this mehtod.
It works fine for music files BUT: I prefer more control and completeness over my backup process. It is also very important to note that a large limitation of using iTunes to manage the backup is that the iTunes method does not create or maintain backups of the two meta-data files (iTunes Library.itl & iTunes Music Library.xml) where your Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, etc. are stored. See: What are the iTunes Library files?
If you are heavily invested in your Library data (Playlists, Play Counts, Ratings, Last Played, Date Added, etc.), it is crucial that you also make and archive multiple backups of your ‘iTunes Library.itl’ file.
If your music is located under one common Folder (e.g.-‘iTunes’), then it is easiest to physically copy that folder and all its sub-folders in one simple process. It can be done quickly, and incrementally – several times a day, when necessary. In the case of any data loss, just re-copy your entire (or partial) music library back to wherever it was, placing it in the main Folder that the previous iTunes expected. Along with the ‘iTunes Library.itl’ metadata file, this completes a full ‘restore’ of your music to the time of your last backup.
Use of a backup software program will greatly help. It will allow you to easily perform incremental backups of only the files that have changed. WinXP has such a facility built-in. I use a free program called FileSync ( http://www.fileware.com ). There are many out there. Some use Zipped files or proprietary formats, others use standard file formats. I like FileSync as it uses normal file formats that can be viewed/managed via any Windows program or utility.
iTunes Files to Backup (anytime you make additions or changes to the Music or Library that you want to retain)
1) All music files in their current folder structure (usually located in and under the ‘iTunes Music’ folder)
2) The Library database file: ‘iTunes Library.itl’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
3) The Library XML file: ‘iTunes Music Library.xml’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
4) Any XML playlist files created for Playlist retention
5) The two iTunes.pref files (optional)
-- C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes.pref
-- C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer Inc\iTunes.pref
6) 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.”
Here's a list of possible ways to copy your music files from your main iTunes computer to another storage medium for backup purposes.
1) Use an External Hard Drive to store the complete iTunes meta-data files and underlying Music Folder structure and songs from your main computer. They are quite cheap now, for their storage volume. This is my preferred main medium.
2) If you have Two Computers:
2a) Connect them through a router
2b) Connect them using a Direct (w/Mac) or Crossover (PC/PC) Ethernet cable (See: http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/3001.html)
2c) Connect them via a USB-to-USB Network Bridge. See: here as an example.
Copy the files and folders from one computer to the other. Use the second PC as your backup repository.
3) Burn several DVDs (at 4.7+ GBs each) with the music data files and store them safely. Re-writable ones are good for backup purposes (if your DVD drive can manage these).
4) Burn 6x more on CDs (at 700MB each) than in #3 above and store them safely in more space Re-writable ones are good for backup purposes (if your CD drive can manage these).
5) Use a larger USB Flash drive (1GB – 4+GBs) to store the files only if you have a small amount ripped music or have multiple and/or jumbo USB drives at your disposal that will fit your music library.
6) Use the Second Internal Hard Drive (if available) of your PC -- not optimum, as you really want to physically separate the storage of backups from the originals, but good as a tertiary storage device.
By keeping only one copy of your music (other than on the iPod), you are not truly 'backed-up' and are running a high risk of losing your music. Music files on just the iPod and the computer is not considered having any backup. If you cannot store your complete music files on the computer’s internal HD, then create and maintain at least two external sets (any multiple combinations of ExHDs, DVDs, CDs).
You need at least two full sets of your music, not including what is on the iPod:
-- One full set on the PC within iTunes (on internal HD or ExHD)
-- One full set on an separate external backup medium (CD/DVD/ExHD/other)
-- One (full or partial) set on the iPod
It is a good policy to backup all your important data. It is a very smart policy to back it up on more than one medium.
External hard drives now run less than $100 for 200-250GBs of storage. Very cheap backup insurance, indeed. See This Link
Dell Inspiron 8600 Laptop -- 1.25GB RAM - 100GB HD -- 3 ExHDs Windows XP Pro SP2 -- 2nd Gen 4GB Blue iPod mini -- Backed Up Thrice

Upgraded and lost music library except for purchased songs

I followed the upgrade prompt, and it wiped out my entire music library and playlists except for those songs I had purchased on I-tunes. The hundreds I downloaded from my own purchased CDs are gone. Help!

I had this happen to me a year ago when I upgraded from an older version. I was saddened when I lost all of my library. I then tried to install the older version that I still had in my recycle bin, and then by some miracle I got back my whole library. To this day I do not know what I did to restore it as I don't understand this process very well. But one thing I do know I will not upgrade. I still have iTunes 6.0 and will keep it. BUT I have another post out there because I can not burn a disk of one of my files. I keep getting the message "iTunes has to close now ...sorry for the inconvience etc." I need an answer to that question. Hopefully someone will be able to help me.

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In the course of your troubleshooting to date, have you worked through the following document?
iTunes for Windows XP: Troubleshooting unexpected quits, freezes, or launch issues

IPod, ITunes and Music Library

I am sure this question has been asked and answered a thousand times but I can't find the question or the answer here so here goes my shot:
For reasons I won't bore you with I had to create a new user account on my wife's machine. I did it by just using her first name instead of her first and last names. How do I deauthorize her iPod for the old user account and set it up for the new user account without losing any of the music that is in her old ITunes music library and on her iPod?

Use the instructions in this article to share the iTunes library between the accounts, or here to transfer music from multiple iTunes libraries to an iPod other than the iPod shuffle.
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Best way to reconnect link from songs in iTunes to music library?

Recently my hard drive crashed and I lost my iTunes Music Library. In order to restore it, I purchased a new external hard drive and used the PodUtil software to copy all of my songs from my iPod to my new hard drive. This worked great but I am now seeing the dreaded exclamation point next to all of my songs. I did change the location of the library pointer in my preferences to my new iTunes folder and I thought that would solve the problem but it didn't. When I tried playing some of the songs, the links were restored and the exclamation points disappeared. However, I have noticed that many of them still have a broken link and I determined that it's due to the fact that the PodUtil program re-catalogued some of the songs with different folder and file names and iTunes is not recognizing them because the original file path is different. Does anyone know the best way to proceed with restoring these songs without losing the library data for the songs (play count, rating, last played, etc.)? Do I have to relocate each song one by one?

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Upgraded ITunes, but Music library is missing

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