How can I get rid of iTunes 11 and go back to a previous version? Perhaps version 10.6.3?
The new iTunes 11 lacks the features I use and sorts the albums in a nonsense way because it uses the wrong field. It uses Album Artist instead of the Album title field.
Mac OS X (10.6.8)
=Downgrading from iTunes 11 to iTunes 10.7=
Try activating the sidebar, menu bar, and status bar (options under the Views menu) and see if this is close enough to the previous version to make you content. It is easier than downgrading and eventually you will be forced to run a newer iTunes unless you have an endless supply of the model computer you currently own.
You may be able to go back with Time Machine but this may involve restoring other items too (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4554293?answerId=20441404022#20441404022). Alternatively:
Back up your computer first, in case the unexpected happens.
Here's a step-by-step method and you may find it easier to follow than alternative methods I have posted below.
Downgrade iTunes 11 to iTunes 10.7 - http://www.emacconsulting.com/apple/itunes/downgrade-itunes-11-to-itunes-10-7/
If the above does not work, or you want to do it without Pacifist, or you want to know what is actually going on when downgrading, or you encounter error messages, here's more details:
Quit iTunes.
Get iTunes 10.7 from http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1576 or the direct download link at: http://appldnld.apple.com/iTunes10/041-7195.20120912.d3uzQ/iTunes10.7.dmg
Do a few preparatory steps by making sure all iTunes components are not running and cleaning old files. See https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4557266?answerId=20475394022#20475394022. Do steps 3 and 4. Steps 6-8 may be also useful but I don't know if they are essential. Some of the other steps are not necessary, duplicate steps listed later in my post or are perhaps even unhelpful in the process.
Replace the iTunes 11 application with iTunes 10.7. Simply dragging the application to the trash may not work. Lion (OSX 10.7) and newer systems have iTunes integrated into the operating system and deleting is a bit more involved. Two ways to do this are:
1. (Easier) Use the shareware Pacifist utility (http://www.charlessoft.com/) to install iTunes 10.7 including all associated system files. Details at http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=16400819&postcount=6
2. (More work) Check this reference on how to delete the iTunes application itself:
Delete iTunes in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion - http://osxdaily.com/2011/09/13/delete-itunes-in-mac-os-x-10-7-lion/
After deleting the application there may be other files that need downgrading too. See the note about error -42408 at the end of this post. You may want to tuck these away somewhere safe until you have completed the installation of iTunes 10.7. I have not tested this but ideally if newer versions are not found then the installer will put in the old versions. This may include these files in /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ which apparently get updated by iTunes 11:
AirTrafficHost.framework
CoreFP.framework
DeviceLink.framework
iTunesAccess.framework
MobileDevice.framework
After doing one of the two procedures above you will have to rescue the most recent old iTunes library from your iTunes > Previous Libraries folder. Rename it "iTunes Library.itl" and replace the existing one in the iTunes folder. A newer version of iTunes irreversibly updates your library file so you have to replace it with the old one or you will get an error message. Note, this will revert your library to the version at the time of the upgrade and you will have to update any changes made since. See:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4544824?answerId=20401436022#20401436022 - turingtest2 11/2012 post on rebuilding empty/corrupt library from previous iTunes library file after upgrade/crash.
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
Other issues:
- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4553961?answerId=20432309022#20432309022 - solution to mobile devices saying they need to be restored after downgrading
- If you encounter error -42408:
iTunes: Advanced iTunes Store troubleshooting - http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3297 > Specific Conditions and Alert Messages: (Mac OS X / Windows) - including specific error codes.
Alternatively, check https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4556384?answerId=20441424022#20441424022 which requires you have a Time Machine backup (though possibly if you remove the newer version of these files old ones may be installed with the iTunes 10.7 installer - untested). A variant of this is at: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4555626?answerId=20448184022#20448184022
- Persistent "Show in iTunes Store" arrows after downgrade - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4567064
Send feedback to Apple telling them why your downgraded: http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html
Best way to revert back is : save your music to a new file, not in the itunes file. uninstall itunes 11, delete all itunes librarys, install itunes 10.7 then add music from new file to your new itunes 10.7
I just used this Pacifist method to uninstall iTunes 11 and reinstall iTunes 10.7. It worked. For the most part. The music that was missing in iTunes 11 reappeared however when I tried to play anything a messages pops up telling me that the original file can't be found. And anything that I've downloaded since this previous iTunes library (January) has now disappeared. Any thoughts?
I'm a little bit freaking out.
How to revert to old version of iTunes?
