On a Windows computer, can I use the new Apple Music app to add a CD to my library?

If I subscribe to Apple Music or iTunes Match, I can use iTunes to import the contents of a physical CD to my iTunes library, whence I can sync it to all my devices. Having downloaded the new Apple Music app on my windows computer, I cannot see how to import a CD. Do I have to keep iTunes on my computer solely for this purpose?

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Feb 8, 2024 6:43 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 28, 2024 12:06 PM

For anyone looking for a temporary workaround whilst Apple add this feature back in for Windows version of Apple Music - CDs can be imported as follows;


  1. insert CD
  2. open 'Media Player' app
  3. on the side menu, select the CD tab
  4. here you will see your CD and the automatically pulled track names etc.
  5. click the 3-dots (...) select 'Rip Settings' - select your desired file format and bit rate, then click 'save'
  6. click 'Rip CD'
  7. once the rip is complete - the album is added into your 'Music' folder under artist name > album name > CD tracks.
  8. in 'Apple Music' app, click on the 3-dots (...) in the navigation pane on left-hand side > select 'Library' > click either 'Add files to library' or 'Add folder to library' > navigate to your ripped CD track files/ album folder.
35 replies

Feb 21, 2024 8:49 AM in response to Z-Salem

Well the feature to import CDs into Apple Music already exists in the Mac version, I’ve seen Youtube tutorials that outline the process and it’s basically the exact process that ITunes uses.


I think it’s just a case of Apple short changing windows for now and drip feeding us the proper version they already have on their own system, so hopefully it’s just a matter of time.

Feb 21, 2024 8:54 AM in response to arkoenig

I’m running windows 10 and I did the same thing, thought iTunes had locked out the music option after I’d uninstalled all of the new Apple apps - but I clicked the heading that said ‘audiobooks’ in iTunes when I opened the program up again and music was there, in the list of options. I clicked it and there was everything, as usual. Could be the case with you (hopefully).

Mar 27, 2024 2:39 PM in response to grrldive

Yes. iTunes and Apple Music both have different default Library locations.


Go to C:\Users\yourname\Music. Once there, you'll see two folders: "AppleMusic" and "iTunes". For Apple Music, the music library is in a subfolder called "Media\Music", and for iTunes, the music library is under "iTunes Media\Music".


All my music consists of ripped CDs and it used to be in the iTunes. I kept it in the iTunes library but changed the default location in Apple Music.


Pain in the rear and Apple definitely didn't think this out before release. The only thing I like about Apple Music is that it has dark mode.



Apr 2, 2024 7:20 AM in response to arkoenig

Hello there, I am also hesitant to migrate to the new Apple Music App on Windows due to the missing features and reported instability.


Does anyone know if the new Apple Music App can still create AAC versions from other formats like wav or alac? Previously in iTunes you could select a track, then go to “File”, “Convert”, “Create AAC Version” (translated from German iTunes).?

Jun 15, 2024 6:34 AM in response to Mr.Tennis

Super helpful Mr. Tennis. I like Brocktoon623 have over 600 CD's, and undertook an effort to get all of my music over to iTunes/Apple Music. As noted as soon as I installed Apple Music, iTunes became a shell of itself. And over the years some of the music previously ripped got corrupted or lost, or when artwork was missing, the album would not populate to Apple Music even during a wired synch. Typically this happened when the CD in question was "not offered in the iTunes US Store" (not sure how that can be....). Now, I have solutions for both issues - I can scan the missing cover art and then add it as Artwork in Properties and all is well, and drag my missing "audiobooks" over to Apple Music.

Jun 15, 2024 8:19 AM in response to arkoenig

I struggled with getting Apple Music on my Windows laptop to sync with my iPhone11.

Had already deleted iTunes as I was told to by Apple Support.

I put up with the ApMusic via Devices issue for months. Each time I synced, I would only get a portion of the CDs I had placed in Music.

Finally a call to Support again and an hour and a half of screen sharing later the lovely Support person found a box to check in Devices, "Sync Music with My Phone's Name". Which is not among an offer to sync any other device.

Considering an iPhone or other is required to connect to make Devices show signs of life anyway, this button is silly.

I was ready to buy an android and face the hurdle of learning how to drive that.

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On a Windows computer, can I use the new Apple Music app to add a CD to my library?

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