How to downgrade from iTunes 11 to 10.7 (Until the next iTunes 11.xxx release)

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How to downgrade from iTunes 11 to 10.7 (Until the next iTunes 11.xxx release)

SO... This is a Repost of a Different thread that I started at 12:39pm Seattle, Wa time... (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4558052?answerId=20450510022#20450510022) Below is My straight to the point responce to the new iTunes 11 Release, It seemed to unstable to me. (Before downgrading please check out this users posts: (https://discussions.apple.com/profile/mjcm_nl?view=overview) Just to make sure that downgrading is the correct choice. Alot of the information there was not available when I started having problems...

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ANYWAYS,

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How I successfully ended up going back to 10.7 (following is the process I used to do it, as well as the references I used)

WARNING: By attempting to follow the procedures that I used... you acknowledge that if there are any purchases lost during the downgrade you take sole responsibility... I took the risk because I have my music on CD's, I regularly backup my apps to CD... and if I lose anything I will replace it myself (even if I have to repurchase it)

-It took a while, but it worked out...

1. I downloaded the iTunes 10.7 installer (iTunes 64bit: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1577).

[ iTunes 10.7 32bit: (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1576) ]

2. I uninstalled iTunes 11 and restarted my computer.

3. I installed iTunes 10.7 (when installed I was unable to run because the "iTunes Library.itl" file in my computer was from the iTunes 11 program) I did a file search for "iTunes Library.itl" and opened the file location (my file was located in: C:/Users/Spencer/Music/iTunes)

-[Note: Community thread that gave me the info I needed to resolve the "iTunes Library.itl" error: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4557592?answerId=20447382022#20447382022]

4. I "right clicked" on the folder Named "Previous iTunes Libraries" and opened in new window.

5. I located the most current file (prior to the 11 upgrade) and drag and dropped it into the location of the "current" .itl file renamed it to "iTunes Library.itl" and replaced the one that iTunes 11 created. (if you DO NOT delete/replace the .itl file that 11 created with a 10.7 version, iTunes will not open. IF done RIGHT your iTunes should open and you'll immediately see your playlists where they belong)

-If done right, it should be sucessfully rolled back to before the upgrade.

Resources:

iTunes 10.7 64bit: (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1577)

iTunes 10.7 32bit: (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1576)

and a thread on this community about the "iTunes Library.itl" error (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4557592?answerId=20447382022#20447382022)

iTunes-OTHER, Other OS, Windows 8

Posted on Dec 1, 2012 1:16 AM

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Answer 1

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spencer1181 Author

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25 points

Dec 1, 2012 1:26 AM in response to spencer1181

In step (5) where I said "IF done RIGHT your iTunes should open" I meant, "If done RIGHT,you can now open iTunes"... and see your playlists where they belong. 🙂 (iTunes will not open on its own 😁 )

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Answer 2

Dec 1, 2012 12:07 PM in response to spencer1181

Just tried this, didn't work. Any advice?

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Answer 3

spencer1181 Author

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25 points

Dec 1, 2012 12:41 PM in response to drawman61

I can only say what my experience was... the thing I had an issue with was the renaming of the iTunes Library.itl (located in the C:/Users/Spencer/Music/iTunes Folder).

Here is the link on how to fix that issue if you haven't attempted to move/change/delete the "iTunes Library.itl" file yet:

[ To resolve the "iTunes Library.itl" error: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4557592?answerId=20447382022#20447382022 ]
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The following is what I did to resolve the issue of "Moved the backup .itl file to iTunes, but did not change the name"

[ Initially, I moved it but did not rename it. So when I opened iTunes, it did not show ANY music, purchases, apps... nothing! That is when I went back and re-read the thread I referred to for the ,itl file issue, and found that I needed to rename the "iTunes Library 2012-30-11.itl" to "iTunes Library.itl" (without the date). ]

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this is the process I actually used... to correct my mistake about not renaming the backed up file:

-First I made sure that iTunes was closed. then I deleted the .itl file that 10.7 automatically created, then I moved the "backup" file back to the "Previous iTunes Libraries"

-Then while in the "Previous iTunes Libraries" I right clicked the latest library backup, and "copied" (mine was called "iTunes Library 2012-30-11")

-I went back to the iTunes main folder where I deleted the "iTunes Library.itl" file, and I pasted the backup file there.

-then I renamed the backup to "iTunes Library.itl" (basically removing the date)

-opened iTunes, and it solved my issue.

(the library file name is just as important as it needing to be created by iTunes 10.7, and the actual install of 10.7)

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Did this help, or did you have a different issue?

I guess I should have asked before typing that all out... but might as well add it, I already typed it.

I might be able to help fine a thread that can help.

Message was edited by: spencer1181

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Answer 4

Dec 3, 2012 5:50 AM in response to spencer1181

Thank you very much for this post~~

I too sucessfully downgrade to iTunes 10.7. can't stand v11 anymore, two days' trying, enough is enough!!!

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Answer 5

Eliminar

Level 1

0 points

Dec 7, 2012 1:19 AM in response to spencer1181

It worked beautifully. Thanks, pal.

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Answer 6

Dec 7, 2012 3:06 AM in response to spencer1181

Thanks mate! Just reinstalled iTunes 10.7, copied and renamed the old iTunes Library.itl file and it's like I never clicked that fateful and rather misnamed "update" button... Everything is back where it should be and cover-flow is back!

First the iOS 6 and maps fiasco, now this... I'm gonna be VERY wary of Apple "upgrades" in the future. NOT a good sign overall!

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Answer 7

Dec 7, 2012 7:21 AM in response to spencer1181

Worked! Thank you! I'll never install another Apple product without doing some research first...

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Answer 8

Dec 7, 2012 9:53 AM in response to spencer1181

Thank you spencer1181, it worked seamlessly!

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Answer 9

Dec 7, 2012 3:56 PM in response to spencer1181

Thank you very much for the instructions. I only went for about 30 minutes of trying 11 before I went searching for a way to go back to 10.7. Worked like a charm! I was paranoid and backed up my library first. But the next morning took me 15 minutes to get back to the old with the instructions above.

I like the old iTunes, love my old iPod Nano v2 (they tried to get me to upgrade to a v3? the tiny one, no way!), love my iPad2, but the way things are going, Apple is mis-stepping all over the place. They'll make money inspite of themselves, but they are messing up their own products and software now. They peaked at iPhone 4S, iPad2, and iTunes 10.7. They are doing OK with their iPod line. I prefer the old Nano and the iPod classic, but the Touch, new and old are still good. I'm sure they are due to screw that up!

😠

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Answer 10

Laeknir

Level 1

8 points

Dec 7, 2012 4:48 PM in response to spencer1181

Thank you for this, worked perfectly in going back to 10.7 iTunes. I cannot imagine what they were thinking at Apple with the horrible version 11.

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Answer 11

Pokey41

Level 1

0 points

Dec 7, 2012 6:05 PM in response to spencer1181

Add my thanks too, spenser 1181............

I was not fond of the new version and this helped me also.

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Answer 12

Dec 7, 2012 8:37 PM in response to spencer1181

I've already UPGRADED from 11 to 10.7! Its like going from a tablet to a computer!

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Answer 13

Dec 7, 2012 10:03 PM in response to spencer1181

I also made the mistake of "upgading" to iTunes 11. My problem however is downloading 10.7 again. I'm running Windows 8. My download is a .dmg file instead of the usual .exe and needs to be unpacked by a Windows 8 app. It unpacks into 8 separate files all of which need their own apps to open. I don't know how I got into this mess, I just want my old iTunes 10.7 back, so any help is appreciated!

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Answer 14

Dec 9, 2012 11:21 PM in response to spencer1181

Running Windows 7 Ultimate x64. Didn't even have to reboot. Opened Control Panel -> Programs & Features and uninstalled all the entries that get installed by iTunes. If you have any apps open that need to be closed, the process will tell you. In my case, I had a couple Remote Desktop Connections that one piece wanted closed, and iTunes itself wanted Outlook closed.

When those were all uninstalled, I located where iTunes Library.itl is stored, which was in "C:\Users\<UserName>\Music\iTunes", deleted that, copied the most recently modified .itl file in the subdir "Previous iTunes Libraries" into this location, and renamed it to match the correct name.

Then, I lauched the x64 version of iTunes v10.7, which is available at the link above, and ran the install process.

Finally, I opened iTunes, and all it well again.

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Answer 15

Dec 13, 2012 9:03 PM in response to spencer1181

Do you uninstall all Apple software (i.e. Apple Software Update, Apple Mobile Device Support, Apple Application Support, Bonjour) including iTunes or just iTunes before you install iTunes 10.7?

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