Removing and Reinstalling iTunes, etc.

Question

Removing and Reinstalling iTunes, etc.

Hi. In order to resolve an issue I'm having with my iPhone, it looks like I'm going to need to proceed with the steps of the article, "Removing and Reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows XP" ( http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1925).

Before I proceed, however, I want to make 100% sure that doing this will not have any impact whatsoever not only on my files, but also on my playlists and settings, i.e. that when I reinstall the latest version of iTunes, nothing at all will have changed. Can folks please confirm?

Much thanks,
Alex

Windows XP

Posted on Mar 15, 2010 8:21 PM

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Answer 1

batman_2

Level 1

5 points

Mar 15, 2010 8:25 PM in response to Alex Rosenfeld

If you do a complete uninstall you will lose everything.

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Answer 2

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Mar 15, 2010 9:26 PM in response to Alex Rosenfeld

I want to make 100% sure that doing this will not have any impact whatsoever not only on my files, but also on my playlists and settings, i.e. that when I reinstall the latest version of iTunes, nothing at all will have changed. Can folks please confirm?

Yes, I can confirm this.
If you completely uninstall iTunes you will lose nothing.
All your playlists and music is contained in \Music\iTunes\ folder.
Removing iTunes does not touch this folder.

However, as a standard practice, you do make regular back ups of all your important files, yes?

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Answer 3

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Mar 15, 2010 9:27 PM in response to batman_2

No, nothing will get lost.

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Answer 4

Mar 15, 2010 9:46 PM in response to Chris CA

Thanks, Chris. I do back up my files, yes, so I'm not sure much concerned about my files being lost as I am about losing my playlists, folders, settings, etc.. (We're talking days and days of work to curate my library.) Will even things like the current settings in "Edit > Preferences," e.g. my import settings, be maintained once I remove and reinstall iTunes? Also, I should note that not all my media files are in my "iTunes" folder. Will these files nevertheless resume their proper place in my iTunes library?

Alex

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Answer 5

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Mar 15, 2010 9:54 PM in response to Alex Rosenfeld

You may have to set up one or two prefs if they get deleted from C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Apple Computer\iTunes

Also, I should note that not all my media files are in my "iTunes" folder. Will these files nevertheless resume their proper place in my iTunes library?

As long as they are in the same path, they should be fine. The location (and all other info) is contained in the iTunes library.itl file.

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