How do I import an old iTunes library on an external hard drive into iTunes 12?

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Level 1

8 points

How do I import an old iTunes library on an external hard drive into iTunes 12?

I had an old computer running Windows XP that died and i've rebuilt it with a new Windows 7 operating system. I've got the drive intact and (unfortunately) i've downloaded and installed iTunes 12 (talk about making a formerly user-friendly application into the opposite of that).

I installed iTunes successfully and i went to the 'Advanced' tab under 'Preferences' and changed the default media folder to my hard drive iTunes folder. I saved my changes. I would expect now that it would start indexing my existing iTunes library. But, it does nothing. There's no help, all the old interface is completely gone and it's just absurd, in my opinion.

Could someone please tell me what step(s) i am missing in order to import my old iTunes library into iTunes 12?

thanx and cheers!

iPod classic, Windows 7

Posted on Oct 31, 2014 11:26 PM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Nov 1, 2014 3:58 AM in response to jlanpheer

Changing the media folder tells iTunes where to put new media files in future. It does not change which .itl database file is opened. To do that press and hold down shift as you start iTunes and keep holding until prompted to choose or create a library. Alternatively simply copy the iTunes folder into the <User's Music> folder of the new computer. Don't use Automatically Add to iTunes as you will lose ratings play counts, date added etc. If keeping the library on the external it would probably be best to move the iTunes folder to the root of the drive before connecting to it so it is easier to clean up the stuff from the old system that you no longer need. Going forward see Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy.

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Nov 1, 2014 8:51 AM in response to jlanpheer

As long as you have the iTunes Library.itl file on the external drive you should be able to connect to it. Since the drive has come from another computer you may have some permissions that need to be corrected. See Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows if needed. If you get the library loaded but it has trouble locating the media I have strategies or tools for fixing that.

tt2

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Nov 1, 2014 9:48 AM in response to jlanpheer

First try Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash. It is possible iTunes failed to update your original .itl file in which you should have one in Previous iTunes Libraries folder in the same folder as the old .itl that you're trying to access.

tt2

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Answer 4

Bophus

Level 1

140 points

Nov 1, 2014 12:40 AM in response to jlanpheer

Ok, to import your iTunes library from your external hard drive to your laptop connect your external hard drive to your laptop and go to the folder where your iTunes library is in, then go to the iTunes folder on your laptop and open it. There should be a folder called "Automatically add to iTunes" then from the folder containing your iTunes library on your external hard drive copy all of the file folders inside that folder and paste them in the folder "Automatically add to iTunes" all of the files that are in your iTunes library folder on your external hard drive will be copied to that folder on your laptop once all of the files are copied open iTunes and wait a few minutes and all of the audio, video, app, picture, and other items that you have copied over should show up in iTunes. Even though all purchases are backed up in iCloud with the exception of app since they are updated on a daily basis i backup all of my purchases i made on iTunes to an external hard drive as well

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Answer 5

jlanpheer Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 1, 2014 8:40 AM in response to Bophus

This won't work, i'm not trying to import my iTunes library onto my laptop. I want to leave it right where it is on my external drive and index/use it there. My machine is a Windows 7 desktop, and i assume that doesn't matter. But, my library is HUGE, so i don't want to move anything off that external drive - it's there for a reason, because it is quite large.

thank you for the response though, if you have any other info based on what i just wrote, i'm happy to take that into consideration.

cheers,

jim.

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Answer 6

jlanpheer Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 1, 2014 8:43 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks, i will try this. I do NOT want to move my iTunes library physically off that disk. It's got 3000+ cd's on it and it's on that external drive for a reason. I will try your suggestion about holding down the <Shift> key as iTunes opens and see if that helps me to re-target the default location.

I'd appreciate more help if what i said above rings any bells.

cheers!

jim.

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Answer 7

jlanpheer Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 1, 2014 9:00 AM in response to turingtest2

There IS a .itl file on my external drive, that's why i'm confused that it is not going ahead. So, the folder name that i specify in Preferences->Advanced is the folder where that .itl file sits, is that correct? I will investigate the article that you point out, thank you for that.

cheers,

jim.

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Answer 8

jlanpheer Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 1, 2014 9:39 AM in response to turingtest2

OK, i went thru the whole Windows security thing and made sure that everyone had permissions to it. I've held the Shift key down as i open it and it does prompt me for a new library location, which i point to. The results are still the same. Is there a chance that my old .itl file was written over during this process? If so, that might explain why it is not connecting to my old library. If so, there must be a way to add a folder and all its subfolders to a library? All i see right now under "My Music" is a few purchases that i made thru the iTunes store right now.

thanx,

jim.

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Answer 9

jlanpheer Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 1, 2014 9:46 AM in response to turingtest2

Also, please give me a yeah-or-nay on this:

The folder name that i specify in Preferences->Advanced is the folder where that .itl file sits, is that correct?

My file structure looks like this:

J:\iTunes Library\iTunes\

My .itl file is (and was) here. In this folder is a folder called "iTunes Music" and below that are all of my cd content, each under a unique artist folder.

cheers,

jim.

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Answer 10

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Nov 1, 2014 9:02 AM in response to jlanpheer

You must use the hold-down-shift-as-you-start-iTunes method to connect to a different library. That preference serves a different function. See Make a split library portable for more details.

tt2

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