Big_Generator
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: How do I back up my iTunes library and playlists on a PC?

How do I backup my iTunes Library and Playlists to an external hard drive that I can restore from if my PC crashes or I accidentally delete an album?

 

iTunes: 12.3.0.44

iPod Nano: 7th generation

PC: Windows 7

 

Thanks

iTunes, Windows 7, iPod Nano 7th generation

Posted on Sep 24, 2015 10:35 AM

by turingtest2,Solvedanswer
turingtest2 turingtest2
Level 10 (86,362 points)
Apple TV
A:

An iPod nano is not an iOS device. iTunes doesn't back it up when you sync it. Further you haven't so far mentioned a problem as such. Your original question asked how to be properly prepared for a certain type of problem should it occur in the future, which I answered in my post above.

 

Confused.

 

Unless you currently have content on your device, but not in your library, in which case see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.

 

tt2

Posted on Sep 25, 2015 9:24 AM

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Big_Generator

Q: How do I back up my iTunes library and playlists on a PC?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by NacaciaBO,

    NacaciaBO NacaciaBO Sep 24, 2015 10:44 AM in response to Big_Generator
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Sep 24, 2015 10:44 AM in response to Big_Generator

    Hi Big_Generator,

     

    You can back up your iTunes library by consolidating your library into one folder, and then copying that folder to an external drive. The following link will walk you through this:

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201625

     

    Hit the ⭐️ if this help

  • by turingtest2,Helpful

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Sep 25, 2015 9:24 AM in response to Big_Generator
    Level 10 (86,362 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 25, 2015 9:24 AM in response to Big_Generator

    See Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy.

     

    tt2

  • by Big_Generator,

    Big_Generator Big_Generator Sep 24, 2015 11:38 AM in response to Big_Generator
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 24, 2015 11:38 AM in response to Big_Generator

    New Info: I think the problem is related to Backup grayed out in: File, Devices, Backup.

     

    I found an article from: http://osxdaily.com/2012/05/15/disable-itunes-backup-for-ios-devices that shows how to disable and enable backups in iTunes on a PC: "%ProgramFiles%\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /setPrefInt DeviceBackupsDisabled 0

     

    I entered the above line and it completed without error.

     

    Please help.

  • by turingtest2,Solvedanswer

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Sep 25, 2015 9:24 AM in response to Big_Generator
    Level 10 (86,362 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 25, 2015 9:24 AM in response to Big_Generator

    An iPod nano is not an iOS device. iTunes doesn't back it up when you sync it. Further you haven't so far mentioned a problem as such. Your original question asked how to be properly prepared for a certain type of problem should it occur in the future, which I answered in my post above.

     

    Confused.

     

    Unless you currently have content on your device, but not in your library, in which case see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.

     

    tt2

  • by Big_Generator,

    Big_Generator Big_Generator Sep 24, 2015 1:05 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 24, 2015 1:05 PM in response to turingtest2

    I don't think I am asking the right questions. And a new user to iTunes/iPod.

     

    I have a PC (Windows 7) with iTunes (12.3.0.44) and an iPod Nano (7th Generation).

     

    I thought that I should be able to backup my iPod (library and playlists) using: iTunes: File, Devices, Backup. Backup is always grayed out. Is backup  grayed out because an iPod is not an IOS device?

     

    I also tried this method to do a backup:

     

    Open iTunes, click once on the iPod symbol, click on Summary and I should see Backup as an option. I do not see anything that says Backup. Just a basic summary of the iPod and a few options that do not include Backup.

     

    The original problem I had was the accidental deletion of an album. Took me a while to get it back. Now I want to understand how to do a backup and restore it if my hard drive crashes or I make another mistake. Hope that helps. Sorry for the confusion.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Sep 24, 2015 1:12 PM in response to Big_Generator
    Level 10 (86,362 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 24, 2015 1:12 PM in response to Big_Generator

    I thought that I should be able to backup my iPod (library and playlists) using: iTunes: File, Devices, Backup. Backup is always grayed out. Is backup  grayed out because an iPod is not an IOS device?

     

    Wrong. File > Devices > Backup only applies to iOS devices; iPhone, iPad & iPod touch. Even then it only backs up some of the data on the device. Not the applications or the media. Some of the content can be copied across using Transfer Purchases, but iOS 9 no longer stores complete versions of all apps so they no longer transfer, and non-iTunes media isn't copied either. The recovery tip posted above should give you all the help you need. The last three entries in the table of recovery tools should get all content, ratings and playlists for non-iOS devices, and I've already posted my backup tip for protecting your library in future.

     

    tt2

  • by Big_Generator,

    Big_Generator Big_Generator Sep 24, 2015 1:44 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 24, 2015 1:44 PM in response to turingtest2

    Ok, I think I am starting to get it.

     

    An "iPod touch" has an IOS operating system. My iPod Nano (with a touch screen) is not an "iPod touch" and is not an IOS device. This is why BACKUP in iTunes is always grayed out???

     

    I also have a basic understanding of the instructions you sent. Looks simple. Going to try it shortly.

     

    It's starting to make sense.

     

    Thanks

     

     

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Sep 24, 2015 1:52 PM in response to Big_Generator
    Level 10 (86,362 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 24, 2015 1:52 PM in response to Big_Generator

    You're welcome.

     

    tt2

  • by Big_Generator,

    Big_Generator Big_Generator Sep 25, 2015 9:42 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 25, 2015 9:42 AM in response to turingtest2

    When I ran SyncToy everything worked great but:


    The external drive did not have my two playlists and my laptop did not have them in iTunes folders either. My playlists are in the iTunes Application and working normally.

     

    I suspect that playlist are not filled with duplicate songs. Instead they probably have a file that keeps a list of songs from the library. If this is correct, is there a method of confirming the presence of the playlists in the iTunes file(s)?

     

    Looking to confirm my backup. Means a lot to me.

     

    Thanks

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Sep 25, 2015 9:49 AM in response to Big_Generator
    Level 10 (86,362 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 25, 2015 9:49 AM in response to Big_Generator

    Playlists, ratings, play and skip counts and dates, date added, and various other bits of data that are not stored in tags are all stored in the iTunes Library.itl file along with supporting files for iTunes Extras (and LPs), the Genius feature, and an artwork cache. The backup method I've suggested captures all of this additional information.

     

    tt2

  • by Big_Generator,

    Big_Generator Big_Generator Sep 25, 2015 9:55 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 25, 2015 9:55 AM in response to turingtest2

    Thanks for the help and education!

     

     

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Sep 25, 2015 9:59 AM in response to Big_Generator
    Level 10 (86,362 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 25, 2015 9:59 AM in response to Big_Generator

    You're most welcome.

     

    tt2