Migrating iTunes to a new PC

Question

Level 1

0 points

Migrating iTunes to a new PC

I am trying to migrate iTunes 11.1.4.62 from an old Windows XP desktop to a Windows 7 Laptop. There are over 7000 songs of different formats - WAV, MP3 and AIFF @ 123Gb. I have an iPod Classic which I use to synchronise and carry all my music with me.

My initial attempt was to load the latest version of ITunes on the laptop and then copy across all the iTunes folders via an external hard drive backup. Unfortunately I lost all my playlists, a lot of artwork and about 1000 tracks had missing data. I cleared the music files and iTunes software from the new laptop and tried again this time trying to replace the new iTunes library with the old iTunes library but the latest version seems to be using a different type of library file.

I cannot upgrade iTunes to the latest version on the XP desktop and I could not find a way of downloading an older version of iTunes to the laptop so it could read the original library file. Any suggestions?

iPod classic

Posted on Apr 20, 2015 7:57 AM

Reply

Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

272,719 points

Apr 20, 2015 10:20 AM in response to colinwelford

These are two possible approaches that will normally work to move an existing library to a new computer.

Method 1

Backup the library with this User Tip.
Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer want to access protected content on it.
Restore the backup to your new computer using the same tool used to back it up.
Keep your backup up-to-date in future.

Method 2

Connect the two computers to the same network. Share your <User's Music> folder from the old computer and copy the entire iTunes library folder into the <User's Music> folder on the new one. Again, deauthorize the old computer if no longer required.

Both methods should give the new computer a working clone of the library that was on the old one. As far as iTunes is concerned this is still the "home" library for your devices so you shouldn't have any issues with iTunes wanting to erase and reload.

I'd recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library.

Note if you have iOS devices and haven't moved your contacts and calendar items across then you should create one dummy entry of each in your new profile and iTunes should merge the existing data from the device.

If your media folder has been split out from the main iTunes folder you may need to do some preparatory work to make it easier to move. See make a split library portable. If you don't do this then you should restore the media to precisely the same paths on the new computer or iTunes will be unable to locate content. Repairing broken links can sometimes be possible but it is better not to have to.

Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library or a backup then then see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device for advice on how to set up your devices with a new library with the maximum preservation of data.

Newer versions of iTunes should have no problem reading a library file made by an older version.

tt2

Reply