Moving iTunes Library to New Computer - Split Library

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Moving iTunes Library to New Computer - Split Library

I'm looking to move my iTunes library to Windows 10, but I'm nervous about it going wrong because I have a split library: my iTunes Media Folder in a different location to the default Music > iTunes folder where the iTunes Library.itl file is kept.

My library is in [G:\Users\Name\Everything\Music]

And the .itl file is in [G:\Users\Name\My Music\iTunes]

In iTunes, it reads [G:\Users\Name\Everything\Music] as the Media Folder, so I don't know why it hasn't put the itl file there?

Can someone tell me how the following Step 10 is going to work in the restore process (from https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201625) if the .itl file isn't in the same folder as the library? Can I just copy it in there? I am intending on setting up my new computer in the same manner, so the folder system should be the same as it currently is.

Quit iTunes.
Go to "This Computer," then click your external drive.
Select your iTunes folder, then right-click and choose Copy.
Go to the location on your computer where you want your iTunes library, then right-click and choose Paste.
Hold down the Shift key while opening iTunes.
When you see a message that asks you to Choose iTunes Library, click Choose Library.
Choose the location where you copied your iTunes folder.
Click Open.
Choose the iTunes Library.itl file inside.

Thank you

Windows, Windows 6

Posted on Jan 24, 2020 4:14 AM

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Answer 1

jeremy_v

Community Specialist

Jan 27, 2020 1:58 PM in response to lubalbs

Hello lubalbs,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities! I understand from the information you provided that you want to move your iTunes library to a new computer or operating system; I'd like to help.

You can set up the folder or copy it to the same location on your new system as it was on your old system, and then in step 10 point to the folder that contain the .itl file.

Best Regards.

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Answer 2

ryane77

Community Specialist

Jan 30, 2020 7:56 AM in response to lubalbs

lubalbs,

Because you keep your library in a different place than the default location, when choosing the location of the .itl file you will need to choose the location where your library is actually located. You can always verify the location on your current machine by actually going to the folder on your computer, and verifying the itl. file is located there, then select the same location using the 10 steps you referred to.

Have a great day.

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Answer 3

lubalbs Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 27, 2020 10:11 PM in response to jeremy_v

Hey jeremy_v,

Thanks so much for getting back.

But if the .itl file isn't in the same folder as my library (where I'm directing it to in step 6), how will I be able to choose the .itl file?

My library is in [G:\Users\Name\Everything\Music]

And the .itl file is in [G:\Users\Name\My Music\iTunes]

Thanks

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Answer 4

lubalbs Author

Level 1

10 points

Feb 2, 2020 4:49 AM in response to ryane77

Hi ryane77,

Thanks for getting back too.

That's what I'm saying though - the itl file is in a different location to where my library is stored:

My library is in [G:\Users\Name\Everything\Music]

And the .itl file is in [G:\Users\Name\My Music\iTunes]

How will I simultaneously choose the library and the itl file? Do I choose the itl file and then redirect iTunes to where the actual files are stored later? Am I confusing this process for finding the itl file with the one where you point iTunes to where your music is stored?

Thanks

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Answer 5

lubalbs Author

Level 1

10 points

Feb 10, 2020 5:28 AM in response to c_luc9

Hi c_luc9

I've got that, thank you.

What I'm concerned about is how I then choose the location of my files, which are in a completely different folder. It's been so long since I've done this step - I assume I do these steps mentioned above, select the itl file and then go into my advanced settings and choose the folder where all my files are stored?

Thanks

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Answer 6

c_luc9

Community Specialist

Feb 5, 2020 5:02 AM in response to lubalbs

lubalbs,

We want to make sure you have a good grasp on how to chose the correct location for the .itl file on your Mac. In step 7, of the steps you provided in your initial post, one of the options in the window dialog is Choose Library, this option will bring up a navigation window; this is where you can go to the folder and identify the exact location on your PC where the .itl file is located.

Hope this hope this helps.

Best Regards.

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Moving iTunes Library to New Computer - Split Library

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