How to move iTunes to a new PC. Can't believe this info is not readily available.
How do I move to a new PC?
Dell Inspiron 17, Windows 7
How do I move to a new PC?
Dell Inspiron 17, Windows 7
It is ... see How to move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Support. A Google or Bing search finds this as the first result for "move iTunes to new PC" and many other similar searches.
It is ... see How to move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Support. A Google or Bing search finds this as the first result for "move iTunes to new PC" and many other similar searches.
Migrate an iTunes library from one computer to another
These are two possible approaches that will normally work to move an existing library to a new computer.
Method 1
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, with ratings, play counts, playlists etc. preserved. 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 normally recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library and unlike copying with Windows Explorer the process can be resumed if it is interrupted and it will continue to the next item if there are any read/access errors.
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've already copied over your media folder you may be able to copy over the bits that you left behind the first time and put everything together the way it should be, it depends in part on whether or not you let iTunes manage the files, and have made the same choice on both machines.
Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library or a backup of it 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.
tt2
Success. Thanks everybody for the help. I still think this info should be available in the iTunes Help file. Google was not my first thought. Bill
You're welcome. 🙂
tt2
"I still think this info should be available in the iTunes Help file."
I suspect that I'm like many other people in that the Help file is probably the last place I'd look for anything other than the simplest information 😉
How to move iTunes to a new PC. Can't believe this info is not readily available.