HT201610: About iTunes library files

Learn about About iTunes library files
Professional Engineer

Q: How do you find the older iTunes Library files after downloading a newer version?

I downloaded the iTunes latest  version 11.0.1.12 the other day and I am not comfortable with this version. I can not find my previous playlists, etc,

Can someone please tell me how I can find the older iTunes library files? I downloaded a purchased song and now wish to burn to a CD and can not find the song to add to a playlist so I can proceed with the burn!

Thank you

Laptop Inspiron 1720, Windows Vista

Posted on Dec 17, 2012 5:32 AM

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Q: How do you find the older iTunes Library files after downloading a newer version?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by tzbikowski,

    tzbikowski tzbikowski Dec 17, 2012 5:42 AM in response to Professional Engineer
    Level 4 (1,956 points)
    Dec 17, 2012 5:42 AM in response to Professional Engineer

    Your iTunes library should be read automatically by the new version of iTunes.

    The playlists location has been slightly moved and it is now on the top bar Songs, Albums, Artists ...... Playlists.

     

    If you think you have some playlists missing you can start iTunes with SHIFT key down and open another iTunes library - if you have more than one on your computer.

     

     

    Please post if you need more detailed info.

  • by turingtest2,Helpful

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Dec 17, 2012 6:14 AM in response to Professional Engineer
    Level 10 (86,976 points)
    Apple TV
    Dec 17, 2012 6:14 AM in response to Professional Engineer

    Use ctrl-b to turn on the menu bar and ctrl-s to turn on the side bar. This should make the interface more familiar.

     

    To roll back to iTunes 10.7 first download a copy of the installer from here, uninstall iTunes. Probably best to also remove other suppporting software, e.g. Apple Application Support, Apple Mobile Device Support & Bonjour. Reboot. Restore the pre-upgrade version of your library database as per the diagram below, then install iTunes 10.7.

     

    RestorePrevious.png

     

    See iTunes Folder Watch for a tool to scan the media folder and catch up with any changes made since the backup file was created.

     

    When you get it all working make a backup!

     

    tt2

  • by Professional Engineer,

    Professional Engineer Professional Engineer Dec 17, 2012 5:00 PM in response to tzbikowski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 17, 2012 5:00 PM in response to tzbikowski

    Thank you for your prompt response. The instructions of holding the shift key down was very helpful, however, I am unable to find the purchased song under the the latest downloaded iTunes version 11.0.1.12. Please offer some suggestions as to how I can this purchased song pulled into an earlier version of iTunes?

    Thank you

  • by tzbikowski,

    tzbikowski tzbikowski Dec 17, 2012 5:10 PM in response to Professional Engineer
    Level 4 (1,956 points)
    Dec 17, 2012 5:10 PM in response to Professional Engineer

    In iTunes you need to be signed in with your Apple ID and have your computer authorized - check it please.

    If the above is true and you still cannot see your purchased music you should go to
    iTunes Store (button - right-top)

    and on the right hand side in Quick Links you should see Purchased.

    Click there and re-download your music.

  • by josmorris,

    josmorris josmorris Dec 18, 2012 3:07 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 18, 2012 3:07 PM in response to turingtest2

    Hi. After downloading iTunes 11 and finding that my iPod classic was no longer visible in Computer or iTunes I followed your excellent process to go back to iTunes 10.7.

    Now my ipod appears Ok but won't synch. I get lots of messages about files not found and then a general disk fail error.

    Only about 9 songs have actually transferred of about 25Gb. I have reset and restored the iPod. Windows diagnostics says it is working fine with no bad sectors.

    Where do I go from here?

    Any help would be much appreciated!

    Jos

  • by aphrodite04,

    aphrodite04 aphrodite04 Feb 26, 2013 6:17 AM in response to Professional Engineer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 26, 2013 6:17 AM in response to Professional Engineer

    Where can we go to simpy complain? All of these forums over the years have really been for us to complain to each other and figure out problems amoungst ourselves. I just rather make a complaint directly to them making them deal with unsatisfied customers. I remember when iTunes first launched and it took a while for everyone to get used to. Now we all get comfortable with it and they go and change everything. I've said it once and i'll keep saying it.... Apple is starting to feel like WORK and not play. Not enjoying myself if i have to spend hours trying to learn again.

  • by turingtest2,Helpful

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Feb 26, 2013 7:40 AM in response to aphrodite04
    Level 10 (86,976 points)
    Apple TV
    Feb 26, 2013 7:40 AM in response to aphrodite04

    Complaints go to iTunes Feedback. This is a user to user support forum.

     

    You can restore much of the look & feel of the previous version with these shortcuts:

    • ALT to temporarily display the menu bar
    • CTRL+B to show or hide the menu bar
    • CTRL+S to show or hide the sidebar
    • CTRL+/ to  show or hide the status bar (won't hide for me on Win XP)
    • Click the magnifying glass top right and untick Search Entire Library to restore the old search behaviour
    • Use View > Hide <Media Kind> in the cloud or Edit > Preferences > Store and untick Show iTunes in the cloud purchases to hide the cloud items. The second method eliminates the cloud status column (and may let iTunes start up more quickly)
    • If you don't like having different coloured text & background when you access each album use Edit > Preferences > General and untick Use custom colours for open albums, movies, etc. .

     

    Should you still feel the need to roll back to iTunes 10.7 first download a copy of the 32 bit installer or 64 bit installer as appropriate, uninstall iTunes and supporting software, i.e. Apple Application Support & Apple Mobile Device Support. Reboot. Restore the pre-upgrade version of your library database as per the diagram below, then install iTunes 10.7.

     

    RestorePrevious.png

     

    See iTunes Folder Watch for a tool to scan the media folder and catch up with any changes made since the backup file was created.

     

    tt2

  • by Professional Engineer,Solvedanswer

    Professional Engineer Professional Engineer Aug 5, 2013 5:34 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 5, 2013 5:34 AM in response to turingtest2

    Dear turingtest2,

    This was extremely helpful. Thank you very much.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Aug 5, 2013 5:38 AM in response to Professional Engineer
    Level 10 (86,976 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 5, 2013 5:38 AM in response to Professional Engineer

    You're welcome.

     

    tt2