Q: New iTunes + New Computer = No Playlist
I purchased a new Dell laptop computer (a PC) and followed the directions on Apple's site on how to move your iTunes library over to the new computer via an external drive. The music moved over but no playlist and no other information such as play counts, etc. I uninstalled the newest iTunes and reinstalled the previous version and the same thing happened. By the way I using Windows 10 on my new computer. I contacted Apple and they said it's a Microsoft compatibility issue and that I should contact them, wait, WHAT? Isn't this an iTunes issue? I can't sync anything, iPod, iPhone or iPad until this is resolved.
After a week of trying to get this library up and going I give up! HELP!!!
Posted on Aug 22, 2015 4:53 PM
Recheck the procedure you followed. Assuming that these are the directions you followed, the key steps are:
- On the old machine, consolidate your library if necessary to ensure that all media files are contained within the iTunes Media folder
- Copy the complete iTunes folder (not just the media folders) to an external drive. The structure of what you need to copy should look like this:

The symptoms you describe suggest that you may not have copied the iTunes database (the iTunes Library.itl file) which is where all the info about playlists, etc. - Copy the same iTunes folder structure from the external drive to your new computer. If you're using the default location this should end up as C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes (same place in Windows 10 as in 7/8/8.1). See notes in the Apple document referenced above about moving any new media you've added to iTunes before migrating your library from the old PC.
- To make sure you're picking up the correct library database, hold down SHIFT while you start iTunes. When you see this prompt:

click on Choose Library... then navigate to and select the iTunes Library.itl you copied from the old PC.
Following this procedure should ensure that everything in your library is correctly replicated. Assuming so:
- If you're no longer using the old PC for iTunes, de-authorize your Apple ID on it
- Use the external hard drive to create and maintain a backup of your library - see turingtest2's tutorial on Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy for a suitable/recommended method.
Posted on Aug 22, 2015 6:58 PM