Accidental Deletion of iTunes Library File--How do I restore?

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Level 1

13 points

Accidental Deletion of iTunes Library File--How do I restore?

I accidentally deleted my iTunes Library file from my C drive (Music folder). However, all of my music is stored on my external drive. It is all still there. How do I build a new iTunes Library file from the music on the external drive?

Windows Vista

Posted on Jun 22, 2007 7:28 AM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Jun 22, 2007 8:13 AM in response to mathguy60461

Is the iTunes Music Library.xml file still there? If so, use the Import command in ITunes and select that file. That should bring everything back.

If you deleted both files, the use the Add Folder To Library command, navigate to the iTunes Music folder, and select it. That should get all your tracks back in, though you'll have lost your playlists, etc.

Good luck.

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Answer 2

mathguy60461 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jun 22, 2007 8:25 AM in response to varjak paw

Thank you very much. The Import Folder solution was the trick. So simple and yet so elusive. I will get the hang of this software yet. Thanks for your help.

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Answer 3

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Jun 22, 2007 8:57 AM in response to mathguy60461

No problem. That's not an obvious solution since it's not clear to most what that XML file does (it's an automatic export of the library file, primarily for other applications to be able to access your library listing without the developer having to figure out the structure of the main library file), so it's not something that would occur to most.

Glad it worked for you. Cheers.

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