I used to get notices while on iTunes 10 to back up my purchases onto CD or DVD discs, but since upgrading to iTunes 12, I not only do not get the notices, I cannot even access "Back Up" from the "Devices" menu! Why is this?
Windows 7
Apple removed that functionality; you're now supposed to back up to a hard drive from outside of iTunes. If your library is small enough, you can also back up to a flash drive.
(131732)
See also Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy. Once set up this allows you to update the backup set with the changes to your primary library without having to copy everything again. You can review the list of proposed updates before syncing which should let you spot and recover from any unexpected and unwanted changes.
tt2
Problems backing up iTunes Library
