Reinstalled Windows/iTunes, Lost most iTunes Apps, etc.

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Level 1

18 points

Reinstalled Windows/iTunes, Lost most iTunes Apps, etc.

I just upgraded a computer from Windows XP to Windows 7 and thus, did a clean install. I then reinstalled my iTunes and re-set up my iPhone 3GS sync. All is well except that most of my apps disappeared. Not all, mind you. Several apps that i "purchased" (most were free) showed up, but not all of them included a couple that I purchased and paid money for. Is there an easy way to get them back. They were on my iphone before I resync'd it with the new iTunes, and I did transfer all purchases before doing the sync. However, now they are neither on my iPhone nor in iTunes. Thanks.

3GS, iPhone OS 3.1.2

Posted on Dec 7, 2009 6:30 AM

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Answer 1

Zevoneer

Level 9

52,705 points

Dec 7, 2009 6:41 AM in response to jsl2

Purchased applications can be downloaded over again, see this article for details: How to redownload purchased applications from the App Store

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Answer 2

jsl2 Author

Level 1

18 points

Dec 7, 2009 6:51 AM in response to Zevoneer

That's great. However, I wonder if there is a way to get them all at once. That is, have it download all the apps that I have purchased, free or not, and then syncing the ones I want on my phone to the phone. One by one won't take forever, but will be a pain.

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Answer 3

Zevoneer

Level 9

52,705 points

Dec 7, 2009 6:54 AM in response to jsl2

As far as I know there's no way to bulk download apps, you have to redownload them one at at time. If there was a bulk download option I'm sure it would be covered in the article.

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Answer 4

Mr Babs

Level 1

0 points

Dec 7, 2009 9:22 AM in response to jsl2

Hi,
I am about to clean-up my computer with a complete reinstall and I wanted to make sure I can sucessfully re-download ITunes also. I see it is possible via this subject but will my previously purchased music and playlists remain intact or will they be lost?

Thanks,
Mr Babs

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Answer 5

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Dec 7, 2009 9:43 AM in response to Mr Babs

I am about to clean-up my computer with a complete reinstall

Make sure you deauthorize your computer prior to formatting/reinstalling the OS. it.

I wanted to make sure I can sucessfully re-download ITunes also

You can redownload the iTunes application but you cannot redownload movies or music.
Copy your \Music\iTunes\ folder to an external drive or CD/DVD and replace it after you reinstall iTunes.
This will backup your movies, applications, music, playlists, and everything in iTunes.

will my previously purchased music and playlists remain intact or will they be lost?

They will be lost unless you back them up first.

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Answer 6

jsl2 Author

Level 1

18 points

Dec 7, 2009 11:29 AM in response to Chris CA

Those are good suggestions. The sad truth I have discovered, however, unless I'm missing something, is that when you switch computers or iphones, then you will pretty much lose stuff. I've been very disappointed in the transfer process. You can save the big stuff, but a lot of little important things get lost. Most applications store data that is not sync'd for example, and iTunes is unbelievably picky about sync'ing with more than one device. Essentially forces you to erase everything on the iPhone and start over.

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Answer 7

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Dec 7, 2009 11:58 AM in response to jsl2

The sad truth I have discovered, however, unless I'm missing something, is that when you switch computers or iphones, then you will pretty much lose stuff.

If you simply expect to plug in your device to a new computer and have everything appear, then okay.
However, since you maintain good, up-to-date backups of all your data, it is very simple to transfer to a new comuter.
Even if you don't have good backups, there are applications which will extract most info from the iPod and sync it to a new computer (but I would not rely on these as the only way to get the data).

iTunes is unbelievably picky about sync'ing with more than one device

Just the opposite.
It's very simple to sync more than one device (iPod, touch or iPhone) to iTunes and to have specific info sync'd to a specific device.

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Answer 8

jsl2 Author

Level 1

18 points

Dec 7, 2009 12:45 PM in response to Chris CA

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. However, I have found iTunes very picky, finniky about syncing once it's already sync'd. It just isn't near as seemless as it should be.

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Answer 9

Katrina S.

Level 7

24,131 points

Dec 7, 2009 12:51 PM in response to jsl2

I am halfway between you and Chris' opinion.
iTunes is very finicky if one doesn't absolutely choose itunes defaults and let itunes manage all the content.
My desktop just died and I was successful in moving my itunes library with everything over to my laptop. It did retain ipod click wheel game data just fine. However, I don't have an iphone....who knows how that would have gone!

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