Want to revert to 7.7

Question

I just downloaded 8.0 and want to go back to 7.7. I have deleted the application from the folder and re-downloaded and installed 7.7 but I am getting a message that says:
"The file iTunes Library cannot be created because it was created by a newer version of iTunes"
If I re-download 8.0 and install it it works fine. I need advice on how to completely remove just the iTunes Application (keeping all my music) and re-install 7.7
Please advise! Thanks!!
Dana

Answer 1

Michael Joseph wrote:
could you please post any answers you might have in support of my original question around more detailed instructions on how to restore the library?
Even without Time machine, you should have a copy of your previous library on your machine, specifically in the folder Previous iTunes Libraries which you'll find inside your iTunes folder. These library files have a date appended, so you should be able to identify which one was current when you installed iTunes 8. You can either (a) launch iTunes while holding down the Option/Alt key and selecting the appropriate library file in the Previous iTunes Libraries folder, or (b) (my preferred option) move the iTunes 8-generated Library out of your iTunes folder (or even delete it), then copy the appropriate Library file from the Previous iTunes Libraries folder to your iTunes folder and strip the date part off the end of the name (so it becomes simply 'iTunes Library'), after doing which iTunes 7.7 will launch correctly.
As a previous poster mentioned, you'll need to re-import any music you added to your library since installing iTunes 8, including any purchases from the iTunes Store. You can quickly identify what needs to be re-imported by editing the Recently Added smart playlist. Change the parameters to <Date Added> <is after> <the appropriate date -- as shown on the Library file in the Previous iTunes Libraries folder>. Do this now, before doing all that stuff with copying the pre-8 Library file into your iTunes folder.