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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

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7 replies

Aug 22, 2015 6:58 PM in response to uscgradgirl

Recheck the procedure you followed. Assuming that these are the directionsyou 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:
    User uploaded file
    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:
    User uploaded file
    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.

Aug 28, 2015 8:33 PM in response to hhgttg27

Hi, I followed your instructions and I got the same results, the music moved over but no playlist and no play counts. I got a folder that says "Not Added" and in that folder it says 2015-08-29 02.54.49 and in this folder is iTunes Library, Genius, Extra, etc.


Could it really be that this version of iTunes isn't supported by Windows 10? I see the files on my old computer that's using XP but my new computer is only recognizing music and is using Windows 10. This is so frustrating! 😠 😢

Aug 28, 2015 8:44 PM in response to uscgradgirl

The presence of the Not Added folder suggest that you're trying to add to old library folders to your new library. You don't need to do that - as described above you need to replicate the complete iTunes library structure from the old computer to the new one, then select the copied iTunes database when you start iTunes. I would double check the directions you're following - there is some poorly thought out guidance around based on adding the media from an old library to a new one - which is all this will do. To retain playlists, etc. you must migrate the library database as well as media folders and files.

The current (12.2.2) version is compatible with Windows 10 - at least to the same extent as it is with previous Windows editions. Problems with library migration are rarely, if ever, related to software issues.

Aug 29, 2015 10:22 PM in response to hhgttg27

Howdy, well, I followed the instructions verbatim with no success. I do believe I know what the problem is...on my old computer, Windows XP, the sentinel and .ITunesPreferences.plist files shows up in the directory but when I drop it onto the new computer (after consolidating the library, telling iTunes where to find the .itl file prior to opening, etc.) which uses Windows 10 (the root folders are as stated above) all the other files show up but those two files do not. I can't see the the sentinel and .ITunesPreferences.plist files on the new computer but when I check the external drive on my old computer it's there...weird. Again, it leads me to wonder if the new version of Windows may not be compatible or something.


Am I the only one fighting with moving a library from an XP computer to a Windows 10 new computer?

New iTunes + New Computer = No Playlist

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