Where is "Backup to Disk" in iTunes 10.4?

Assuming your iPod is currently sycned with iTunes, as opposed to being manually managed, then if used as I have suggested SyncToy will back up all the content currently being synced to the device. Every time you sync an iOS device iTunes also makes a backup of certain other data on the device such as account settings, documents, game progress etc. The steps I give in the User tip take care of backing up the iTunes library, not this additional data. Unless you get something very wrong however, you should be able to reinstall windows, restore the library, then connect and sync the device without ever needing to call on the old device backup. The SyncToy tool can be used to archive additional folders, including the MobileSync backup folders. I can't call recall offhand how you connect a saved iOS backup to iTunes but I'm fairly sure it can be done.

tt2

I haven't the time to read all these posts but did anyone just try highlighting songs in their playlist then dragging them to a usb drive?

There is more to a "library" than just the media. Information about ratings, play counts, playlist membership etc. is not stored in the files themselves. This User tip provides a comprehensive backup strategy using free tools. Take the time to read it, or rue the day when your hard drive goes belly up and you don't have a backup.

tt2

I think what makes me more furious is that Apple didn't warn you before downloading the upgrade that there would be no backup option to disc .... Also, when I uninstalled 10.5 and tried to reload an earlier version, it would not open my backup music file from my hard drive ... This is infuriating! I've sent a comment to Apple and we all should! I'll find the site and post the address again ... Hey - other companies have complied when they received enough complaints ...

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD TO APPLE ...

You can send feedback directly to Apple here:http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html

I done that. Don't suppose Apple will listen as they seem to do whatever they want to try and force us to subscribe to their cloud but I tried...

removing DVD backup is EVIL

I do use incremental backup and timemachine for day-to-day work

but disaster recovery needs separate backup for the wat ifs...

1) a fire in your home that gets all computers and hard drives

2) a burgler in your home that takes all computers and harddrives

3) a lightning strike that frys everything

4) other applications of murphy's law

if Apple thinks that DVD's in a box at grandma's house or a safe deposit box

is a bad idea and won't allow us to do it -- THEY ARE EVIL and must be stopped

I found a workaround of sorts to make a backup DVD (on a PC at least):

1)Put in your last backup DVD to find out when you made it.

2)In iTunes under "Store", select the "purchased" list.

3)Sort your purchased list by date added.

4)Select all the items you've purchased since your last backup (easily done by first selecting the first item you purchased since your last backup, then going to the top of your list and selecting the most recent purchase you've made while holding down the shift key).

5)Select "file", then select "new playlist from selection", then name it.

6) Put blank DVD in drive.

7)Right-click on the playlist you created and select "burn playlist to disc".

8)Select "Data CD or DVD" and then click "Burn".

...and voilà!, you should have a backup disc.

(I realize that this description is rather in depth, but I've worked tech support before and realize that some people will most definitely need it to be that way.)

Wait Wait Wait..............

I also don't have the "Back up to disk" Function either....but what if you install a previous version??

AYE?

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1056

Boom, install, export, update

Repeat whenever.

You get the choice of backing up to disk or iCloud with iTunes 10.5.

I have 10.5 currently and I still don't have that option. Weird

Do you have iCloud enabled? Perhaps without iCloud it does not show because there's nothing to choose, ie, disk is the only option.

You can backup your iOS device to iCloud or your local hard drive.

This thread, however, is about the now not so recently removed feature for backing up the iTunes library to CD or DVD. See this User tip for a recommended backup method.

tt2

- create a playlist of your entire library

- go File -> Burn Playlist To Disc

- choose "data disc" option

itunes may tell you it will require more than one disc, but it works.

iTunes has the option to include your {PC Account user} Library. As such an iTunes folder can be found at {user}{Music} in your Directory structure. Back up from here by selecting, adding this to your PC Backup program. Note that for iTunes 10.4 and above the Mobile Device backup appears under Edit/Preferences/mobileDevices and is a last sync only. However with all Music available in the iTunes folder under your per user account in Windows Explorer, windows and Macs already have full on PC functionality for Backup management - so there is little point in including it i iTunes (my opinion) Obviously some Windows users who only have base windows systems like Home Edition will not have a Backup option as standard. however dragging and dropping your Music/iTunes folder to say a USB Memory/External Hard Drive device in WindowsExplorer is a fairly simple thing to do. Note that in Windows Explorer under View Options and with Show Hidden/System Files options enabled you can then go into the AppData folder and find virtually all the backup and data storage for both iTunes and your Mobile Device - under "AppleComputer" within the Local, Local Low, and Roaming folders. The Local Folder also has your installation files in the "Apple" folder. Note for Mac users, please refer to your Mac help for storage locations for your systems.