JazzmanJohn

Q: How can I uninstall and reinstall iTunes on my iMac without disturbing my extensive music collection?

I believe iTunes has become corrupted on my iMac as I am getting some pops and clicks in the audio in playing music. This does not occur when I use Spotify. Please advise.

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Oct 2, 2016 7:40 AM

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Q: How can I uninstall and reinstall iTunes on my iMac without disturbing my extensive music collection?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Oct 2, 2016 7:43 AM in response to JazzmanJohn
    Level 10 (314,130 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 7:43 AM in response to JazzmanJohn

    Try using the Finder’s Quick Look feature or your web browser to play the music.

     

    If the songs play properly, back up your library and reinstall iTunes normally. You probably won’t need to use the backup immediately.

    If they don’t, delete and reload the songs, and then back the library up.

     

    (145052)

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Oct 2, 2016 7:52 AM in response to JazzmanJohn
    Level 9 (51,129 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 2, 2016 7:52 AM in response to JazzmanJohn

    Your music collection is a separate entity from iTunes, it lives in distinct folders and should not be affected. However a backup is a good idea if you don't want it affected.

  • by JazzmanJohn,

    JazzmanJohn JazzmanJohn Oct 2, 2016 7:49 AM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 7:49 AM in response to Niel

    Please explain a little further. I'm not sure how to use Quick Look. I already have my music library backed to two external hard drives. If I have to delete and reload the music, do I just delete the whole library? How do I do that?

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Oct 2, 2016 7:51 AM in response to JazzmanJohn
    Level 10 (314,130 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 7:51 AM in response to JazzmanJohn

    1. Select a song in the Finder and press the space bar.

    2. In iTunes, delete the affected tracks.

     

    (145053)

  • by JazzmanJohn,

    JazzmanJohn JazzmanJohn Oct 2, 2016 11:49 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 11:49 AM in response to Csound1

    I think I understand this. I'm experimenting now trying to see where the interference is coming from. It might take a few days since it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. At least I know how to play music from various sources to try to determine the culprit.

    If I have to reinstall iTunes, since my music collection is separate, shouldn't everything return to normal once iTunes is reinstalled. In other words, iTunes will locate and play all of my music as usual, and my account and wishlist should all be intact?

    Last but not least, where do I go to reinstall iTunes and does it reinstall over the old version?

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Oct 2, 2016 11:51 AM in response to JazzmanJohn
    Level 10 (314,130 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 11:51 AM in response to JazzmanJohn

    1. Yes, unless a problem occurs.

    2. Click here and reinstall it on top of the existing version.

     

    (145064)

  • by JazzmanJohn,

    JazzmanJohn JazzmanJohn Oct 2, 2016 1:21 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 1:21 PM in response to Niel

    I'm not yet sure where the problem is coming from. This just may take some time to figure out. However, at the proper time when I have my answer and if I need to reinstall iTunes, just do it from the site you recommended above and everything should fall back in sync like I had it when I started the process?

  • by Niel,Solvedanswer

    Niel Niel Oct 3, 2016 6:36 AM in response to JazzmanJohn
    Level 10 (314,130 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 3, 2016 6:36 AM in response to JazzmanJohn

    Yes.

     

    (145077)