planetvenus
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: How do I retrieve/recover my old Itunes folders from trash?

Hi,

 

I have just been searching my trash folder and have found all my 'Previous I Tunes folders' there. All with the .itl ending. I have dragged the most recent one out of trash but when I try to open it, nothing happens and the icon appears blank. Any suggestions???

Posted on Apr 24, 2012 5:50 AM

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planetvenus

Q: How do I retrieve/recover my old Itunes folders from trash?

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Apr 24, 2012 6:45 AM in response to planetvenus
    Level 9 (54,642 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 24, 2012 6:45 AM in response to planetvenus

    if you want to use an iTunes .itl file you have to start iTunes with the option key held down and point it at that file. Double clicking an .itl file will start iTunes but iTunes will use the .itl in the iTunes folder, not the one you clicked.

     

    I am assuming you have some reason for doing all this and would recommend you put the library file in the iTunes folder (renaming or moving to a different place the current one) and making sure it is called iTunes Library.itl

     

    What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660

     

    More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management

  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Apr 24, 2012 11:07 AM in response to planetvenus
    Level 9 (79,682 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 24, 2012 11:07 AM in response to planetvenus

    planetvenus wrote:

     

    Hi,

     

    I have just been searching my trash folder and have found all my 'Previous I Tunes folders'

    Do you mean Previous iTunes libraries files?

     

    When you update iTunes, it makes copy of the current iTunes library file and puts it into the Previous iTunes libraries folder. iTunes does not ever use these files again.

     

    Along with what Limnos posted, perhaps you would explain what you are trying to do?

  • by planetvenus,

    planetvenus planetvenus Apr 24, 2012 7:24 PM in response to Chris CA
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 24, 2012 7:24 PM in response to Chris CA

    Hi,

     

    My below posting from last week will explain what happened to give you some background info:

     

    "Looked at my ITunes library last week to try and make a new playlist but all my years of music/videos etc has disappeared without me doing anything? I have had very bad luck with Time Machine as well and realised not long ago that for 4 years it has only been backing up 'Desktop' and not the whole computer. I backed up all my photos and docs on various DVD's and CD's once I realised but I cant see that I backed up my Itunes library. I am only hoping that on the 'Desktop' external hard drive back ups that I can find it again? If it is on there, how do I get it off as I have heard that you can not retrieve certain items from an external hard drive especially with Time machine although I have never needed to before. Do you think all my songs etc have gone forever now??....Help!!

     

    Im not even sure what version of I Tunes it was. I am running Mac OS X 10.5.8 on a 2008 Macbook"

     

    The other day I found all my previous ITune libraries in trash after searching the whole computer but the icons all seem blank. I have dragged the most recent one out of trash onto the desktop but am confused as to what I have to do now. Can you please tell me again in real simple terms!

     

     

  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Apr 24, 2012 8:54 PM in response to planetvenus
    Level 9 (79,682 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 24, 2012 8:54 PM in response to planetvenus

    If your media files are gone, they are gone.

    You need to look around for them.

     

    The iTunes library file is simply a small database of the media files and info.

    It does not contain the actual media files.

  • by planetvenus,

    planetvenus planetvenus May 6, 2012 12:49 PM in response to Chris CA
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 6, 2012 12:49 PM in response to Chris CA

    I have now retrieved my most recent itunes library from the trash. I have opened Itunes whilst holding down the option key and now have it currently in Itunes but only so long as its open. If I quit Itunes it reverts back to the blank I tunes folder as before. How do I permenantly copy my newly found library into Itunes?

     

    Many thanks everyone