Restore iTunes library and playlists to new computer

Question

Restore iTunes library and playlists to new computer

Hi. I'm buying a new computer and am looking for an easy way to transfer all my music and playlists over from the old computer to the new one. I have the entire iTunes folder backed up onto a different network computer from my current (old) computer. Now the way I understand it, is if I copy the entire iTunes folder from my network computer onto the new computer, it will restore all my library and playlists. Is this right? The only problem is, I will be using different versions of iTunes. This is because I am moving from Windows 2000 to Vista and I can't download the latest version of iTunes to Windows 2000 because it isn't being supported any more.

Will I be able to restore my library and playlists from one version of iTunes to another? Any help you can give would be appreciated. Thanks!

Windows 2000

Posted on Feb 21, 2008 5:49 AM

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Answer 1

polydorus

Level 6

11,967 points

Feb 21, 2008 6:03 AM in response to Jill Christiansen

Yes provided all your music files were in the iTunes Music folder in the iTunes folder, you should be able to copy the iTunes folder to your new PC and have all your playlists etc.

Install iTunes on the new PC first. Then, with iTunes closed and before you add any music, drag the iTunes folder out of the Music folder on the new PC to the desktop.

Then copy the iTunes folder from the backup onto the new PC to replace the one your dragged out.

You need to check the file permissions of the iTunes folder to ensure your account has full control, Vista is fussy about this, and the folder was created under another account.

Once you have done this, start iTunes and it should convert the library to the newer version etc. With any luck you will have your everything back as it was.

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Answer 2

Feb 21, 2008 6:58 AM in response to Jill Christiansen

How do I check the file permissions for the new iTunes folder? Is this something I do in iTunes preferences?

Thanks!

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Answer 3

polydorus

Level 6

11,967 points

Feb 21, 2008 7:09 AM in response to Jill Christiansen

No, you do it in Windows explorer. Find the iTunes folder in Music, then right click on it and select properties then the security tab.

Quite a few people pop up on the forum with problems with permissions when they move the iTunes folder to another PC with Vista.

You need to have admisitrator level when you do it and the account you are using needs full control.

There is some help on Vista permissions here:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/2464a180-e5dc-45d1-a2b8-3c8a 2b571e9d1033.mspx

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Answer 4

Feb 21, 2008 7:51 AM in response to Jill Christiansen

Thanks for all your help. Keep your fingers crossed - hopefully this will work!

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