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How do I transfer song ratings to a new computer

How do I transfer song ratings to a new computer. I backed up my library and resorted it on the new computer. All of my playlists came over but the song ratings did not. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Posted on Mar 31, 2012 8:32 AM

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Jan 15, 2016 11:45 AM in response to amyrae73

amyrae73 wrote:


I've moved my library over twice, neither time did the ratings or play count come along with the folder. I'm not sure what I'm missing, but I've followed these instructions. Any other ideas? Getting desperate, I've got almost 10,000 songs and it takes a long time to delete everything and then save it all to the external drive and onto the new machine.



Migrate an iTunes library from one computer to another


These are two possible approaches that will normally work to move an existing library to a new computer.


Method 1

  1. Backup the library with this User Tip.
  2. Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer want to access protected content on it.
  3. Restore the backup to your new computer using the same tool used to back it up.
  4. Keep your backup up-to-date in future.


Method 2

Connect the two computers to the same network. Share your <User's Music> folder from the old computer and copy the entireiTunes library folder into the <User's Music> folder on the new one. Again, deauthorize the old computer if no longer required.


Both methods should give the new computer a working clone of the library that was on the old one. As far as iTunes is concerned this is still the "home" library for your devices so you shouldn't have any issues with iTunes wanting to erase and reload.


I'd recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library.


Note if you have iOS devices and haven't moved your contacts and calendar items across then you should create one dummy entry of each in your new profile and iTunes should merge the existing data from the device.


If your media folder has been split out from the main iTunes folder you may need to do some preparatory work to make it easier to move. See Make a split library portable.


Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library or a backup then then see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device for advice on how to set up your devices with a new library with the maximum preservation of data.



tt2

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Mar 31, 2012 3:43 PM in response to lglv33

Delete the entire iTunes folder on the new computer, with iTunes closed of course.

Copy the entire iTunes folder from the old computer or the backup of the old computer to the new computer in the same location.

Launch iTunes, as it will be using the same iTunesLibrary.itl file when it launches, it will know where everything is.

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Apr 8, 2015 11:05 AM in response to prettyfly4asoundguy

Every iTunes library must include the .itl file. Depending on how you've configured Windows Explorer, it may be listed as "iTunes Library" without the .itl extension. Check the iTunes folder on your old computer (default location C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes) - you should see something like this:

User uploaded file

or this (if file extensions are being displayed):

User uploaded file

Otherwise search your old computer for *.itl.

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Mar 31, 2012 2:43 PM in response to diesel vdub

Hi,


I copied my ITunes folder on my C drive to an external harddrive. Than I "added folder to libarary" on the new computer. I "exported my library" to the harddrive and then "imported library" on the new computer.


Now that I write this down, it would seem like there is an easier way to do this but I don't know how.



Thank you so much for responding to my question!!!

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Mar 31, 2012 3:08 PM in response to lglv33

The simplest solution is to copy the entire iTunes folder from the old computer or backup of the old computer to the new computer.


There is no need, or benefit, to importing the media. Actually, importing the media by using the Add File/Folder functionality in iTunes is what created the problem.

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Apr 6, 2013 8:48 PM in response to diesel vdub

Will this work if I am copying from a Windows iTunes folder onto a Mac iTunes folder? I must admit I am afraid to delete the existing entire iTunes folder on my new Mac to replace it with a copy of a windows folder.


FYI, I did the home sharing / import process, brought everything over, all is well except I am missing all of my song ratings. Hate to recreate manually. The Help in iTunes does not address this. Thanks for your help.

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Jan 14, 2016 10:15 PM in response to hhgttg27

I've moved my library over twice, neither time did the ratings or play count come along with the folder. I'm not sure what I'm missing, but I've followed these instructions. Any other ideas? Getting desperate, I've got almost 10,000 songs and it takes a long time to delete everything and then save it all to the external drive and onto the new machine.

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Jan 15, 2016 5:30 AM in response to amyrae73

It is necessary to copy the ENTIRE iTunes folder including the iTunesLibrary.itl file. If your library file is not in the media folder, it will need to be copied over as well.


Another thing to try, with iTunes closed, press and hold the Shift key while launching iTunes. It will prompt to select an iTunes library, then simply point iTunes to the correct iTunesLibrary.itl file. This is helpful if your media folder or library file is not in a standard location.

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How do I transfer song ratings to a new computer

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