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spencer1181 Author

Level 1

25 points

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...

=======================================================

ANYWAYS,

=======================================================

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

Top-ranking reply

spencer1181 Author

Level 1

25 points

Posted on Dec 1, 2012 1:26 AM

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 😁 )

View in context

97 replies

Jan 26, 2014 9:27 PM in response to turingtest2

I'm having a problem getting iTunes to open. I tried the suggested steps regarding the iTunes Library.itl file. But I don't have an iTunes Library.itl file from iTunes version 10.7. The only iTunes Library.itl files I have are from 09/29/2013 and 06/10/2013. Both of these are from versions newer than version 10.7. So how can I get this to work?

turingtest2

Level 10

274,540 points

Jan 27, 2014 12:55 AM in response to rairose17

Downgrading is really something to attempt soon after the upgrade you don't like, not months later. If you don't mind losing Date Added informationyou could backup the current .itl & .xml files, trash the current .itl to give yourself an empty library, then import the archived .xml. Any devices would need a complete re-sync with the new library.

tt2

spencer1181 Author

Level 1

25 points

Mar 22, 2014 11:38 AM in response to rairose17

@ anyone else looking to downgrade this long after the iTunes11 release..

There IS a way to create a replacement ".itl" file by using you ".xml" file... I reference that process on Page 5 of this thread. It will allow you to downgrade and retain playlists/purchases from iTunes11 to your iTunes10.7 (I was able to successfully do it on my nephews computer)

If you have newer Apple devices (any device released after the iTunes11 update) you will not be able to sync that device with the earlier version of iTunes (iTunes 10.7)... I would imagine that a 'pre-iTUnes11' device with an updated IOS wouldn't work either, which would make the downgrade pointless... Also any Apps that are optimized for iTunes11 may loose some functionality on iTunes10.7, or earlier IOS's...

Since I have upgraded to iPhone 5s & also purchased an iPad mini... both of which DO NOT work with iTunes10.7... I am again running iTunes11.

I agree with turingtest2, The Process of downgrading SHOULD be immediately after the upgrade.

***At this point, since it has been so long since the release of iTunes11... I do not recommend downgrading to 10.7 *** (that is why I used the 'STRIKETHROUGH' text on the reference to the process for retaining post-iTunes11 content to iTunes10.7)

Especially after using iTunes11 for a long while, or if you have newer apple products ~or~ products with a current IOS.

Ziatron

Level 5

4,193 points

May 2, 2014 7:03 AM in response to spencer1181

So, I understand that iTunes 11 got “fixed”.

I presently have iTunes 10.7 is it safe to upgrade to iTunes 11?

turingtest2

Level 10

274,540 points

May 2, 2014 10:18 AM in response to Ziatron

iTunes 11.1.5.5 installs fine for me.

See Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates should there be any problems.

tt2

AIB01

Level 1

0 points

May 2, 2014 1:00 PM in response to Ziatron

If I were you I'd steer well clear and stay with what you have. The drawbacks far out weigh any benefits.

May 6, 2014 7:06 AM in response to spencer1181

Dear people,

I bought a second-hand Mac Mini to use for videos. Unfortunately, it came with iTunes 11 installed. I thought maybe I could upgrade to Mountain Lion, and roll back iTunes, so I chatted online with an Apple Store representative. The rep assured me that if I purchased the downloadable Mountain Lion from the App Store, the iTunes version it came with would be 10.7. I asked several times because this was important to me. I specifically asked, "If I do a clean install of Mountain Lion from the App Store, what version of iTunes will I get?" Again, I was assured it would be 10.7. The rep lied: After a clean install I was left with iTunes 11.05. So I found this thread ahout downgrading.

This thread has been very helpful. I managed delete iTunes 11 and downgrade to 10.7. I ditched my .itl file as per instructions. However, I get an error every time I open iTunes 10.7 (Unknown Error -42408). I can sign into my iTunes account, but I get the same error when I try to "authorize" the computer.

Any thoughts what I can do to get my computer authorized and eliminate this error message? I have no libraries or data to be concerned about, and I am not averse to reinstalling Mountain Lion and starting the process from scratch. I just want to get to a usable iTunes 10.7.

Thank you for your attention.

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