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Transferring Music library from a Mac to a PC

I am contemplating replacing my current 2017 MacBook with a less expensive laptop running Windows 11. Before doing so I want to make sure I'll be able to successfully transfer my current Music library on my Mac to the new PC. This library is large (~800 GB, stored on an external HD [Mac OS Extended]); ~90% of the contents are made up of ripped CDs (Apple lossless audio compression); and the song metadata (info pertaining to artist, title, etc.) have in many instances been extensively modified/edited.


I would like, if possible, to know in advance whether I can expect problems in attempting such a transfer. Specifically, (a) whether the lossless nature of the ripped songs will remain unchanged (i.e., not replaced by some lossy version) and (b) whether the edited metadata can be preserved in the transfer process.


Most of the information I've found about Mac-to-PC transfers appears to be outdated (e.g., referring to the old iTunes app); nor are my aforementioned concerns addressed, e.g., my concerns about the transfer (or failure to transfer) metadata from the Mac Music library.


If anyone has any information or advice on this specific subject, I'd greatly appreciate any feedback.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.3

Posted on May 11, 2023 8:33 AM

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9 replies

May 14, 2023 6:05 AM in response to roominthetower

Hi,


iTunes for Windows isn't able to import a .musiclibrary database. You can export the Music library as an XML file, copy that over to the new computer, manipulate the file locations using say NotePad++ and then import the edited XML file into an empty iTunes library.


You'll need to use the search and replace function to globally change


<key>Location</key><string>file://{path on Mac to media folder} to

<key>Location</key><string>file://{path on PC to media folder}


tt2

Sep 19, 2023 9:37 PM in response to roominthetower

i was using an iPad to feed my Mcintosh MA-12000, and wasn’t happy with the dongle amount other things.


I spoke with a tech at Mcintosh, he said to get rid of apple and get a PC. His reasoning stated below.,.


“The Apple ipads talk to the device they are connected to via USB to see if that device has paid money to apple to be apple certified, if it has not, the ipad refuses to send digital to the unit.

I suggest a different brand than Apple”



PC using a basic USB connection, will sound better than the iPad and the $1000 worth of high end cables I’ve run.


just picked up a fusion pad, got music downloaded on it and gave it a try, it’s noticeably better than apple, which surprised the **** out of me.


just getting rid of the dongle, needed for HDMI, was all I needed to hear, the dongle is a pos. A $50K stereo, having to pass through a dongle is horrific, the constant failure of the dongle alone was reason enough for me. Also pulls out easily, never good unplug, when 350 watts of power is instantly cut off, I despise dongles, it’s a complete POS!


if you Ike high end audio, lose apple and get a PC, you’ll be stunned!

May 11, 2023 8:48 AM in response to roominthetower

roominthetower wrote:

I am contemplating replacing my current 2017 MacBook with a less expensive laptop running Windows 11. Before doing so I want to make sure I'll be able to successfully transfer my current Music library on my Mac to the new PC. This library is large (~800 GB, stored on an external HD [Mac OS Extended]); ~90% of the contents are made up of ripped CDs (Apple lossless audio compression); and the song metadata (info pertaining to artist, title, etc.) have in many instances been extensively modified/edited.

I would like, if possible, to know in advance whether I can expect problems in attempting such a transfer. Specifically, (a) whether the lossless nature of the ripped songs will remain unchanged (i.e., not replaced by some lossy version) and (b) whether the edited metadata can be preserved in the transfer process.

Most of the information I've found about Mac-to-PC transfers appears to be outdated (e.g., referring to the old iTunes app); nor are my aforementioned concerns addressed, e.g., my concerns about the transfer (or failure to transfer) metadata from the Mac Music library.

If anyone has any information or advice on this specific subject, I'd greatly appreciate any feedback.

see this doc by one of our fellow user Move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Community

May 11, 2023 3:42 PM in response to javaliga

Yes, but I am moving my files in the opposite direction — from Mac to PC. I’ve performed Mac-to-Mac transfers many times, but this would be my first Mac-to-PC transfer and I am concerned about possible issues that may prevent a less than perfect transfer, especially since Music (as opposed to iTunes) is relatively new to the Windows environment and there were early reports of problems with the beta version of the application.

May 14, 2023 10:49 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks for your response.


Yes, I have previously read that one can export the info relevant to an Apple Music database as an XML file, which can then be used to restore the library under iTunes on a PC. But is that also true (or necessary) with the Music app (i.e., now that it seems that iTunes for PC is being phased out in favor of Music)? Second, can someone confirm which aspects of the original library are preserved in the XML file? Does that include all of the library’s metadata (as I asked in my original question)?

Transferring Music library from a Mac to a PC

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