Transferring iTunes content to another PC - multiple issues

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

1. Backup the library with this User Tip.
2. Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer want to access protected content on it.
3. Restore the backup to your new computer using the same tool used to back it up.
4. Keep your backup up-to-date in future.

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. 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 recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library.

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.

Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library or a backup then 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

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2

Take a look at the images in Make a split library portable. From yours above it is clear that you've managed to put both the application and the library in the same folder at some point, possibly during an earlier migration. The iTunes application is normally stored in C:\Program Files\iTunes or C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes with some other components in C:\Program Files\Common Files\... The library is normally placed in C:\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes.

Most Windows software won't work if you simply copy the files from one system to another. It must be installed so that all of the components are recorded in the registry. You should only backup the media and the library files.

Where is your active iTunes Library.itl file?

Where is the media folder according to Edit > Preferences > Advanced?

Is all the media connected to the library in that media folder, or only some of it?

tt2

Based on your screenshots you've merged the iTunes application files (which should always be on your system disc) and your iTunes library files/folders. There's absolutely no benefit in mixing these up. Does your iTunes setup work on the old PC, i.e., can iTunes find / play / sync all your media files? If so, then follow the steps described in tt2's user tip on Make a split library portable to separate the library content so that it can moved to the new PC. I'd suggest the following procedure:

• get another external hard drive (you'll need one anyway to create and maintain backups once your library has been migrated)
• on the new external drive, create a folder called "iTunes" and within this a folder called "iTunes Media" - but don't attempt to copy anything here from your existing setup
• run iTunes, select Edit > Preference > Advanced and change the iTunes Media folder location to your new external drive (i.e., if this is drive "X:", the setting in iTunes should be "X:\iTunes\iTunes Media"
• still in iTunes, select File > Library > Organize Library ... - then check the "Consolidate files" box and, if not greyed out, the "Reorganize files ..." box.
• click "OK" ... with 20,000 files in your library, this is a good time to have a coffee while the process completes😉
• when the consolidation process has finished, exit iTunes
• now copy the following files and folders from your old PC to the external drive, putting them all into the X:iTunes folder:
  • Album Artwork (folder)
  • Previous iTunes Libraries (folder)
  • iTunes Library Extras.itdb (file)
  • iTunes Library Genius.itdb (file)
  • iTunes Library.itl (file - this is the critical piece as this is where your library content is defined and your playlists, ratings, play counts, etc. are stored)
• the result should be a structure like this in the root of the external hard drive:
  
• eject and disconnect the new external drive from the old PC
• connect the new external hard drive to the new PC
• on the new PC, start iTunes while holding down the SHIFT key - when you see this prompt:
  
  click on Choose Library... and navigate to and select the iTunes Library.itl file on the external drive.

Once you've verified that everything's present and correct you can delete all the iTunes content from the old external drive and use this to create and subsequently maintain a backup of your library.

Lastly, unless your proposing to continue using iTunes on the old Vista machine, deauthorize your Apple ID on that machine before you decommission / dispose of it.

Consolidation does one thing - it moves any library content that is not contained within the specified iTunes Media folder location into that folder structure. If the "Reorganize files ..." option is chosen then files and folders will be renamed to follow iTunes' canonical scheme, using Artist, Album and Song Name metadata values to locate and name items as iTunes Media\Music\<Artist>\<Album>\<Song Name>.<extension>. When applied to an existing library with a new / empty iTunes Media folder location, it will copy all valid content of the library from its existing location (wherever that is) to the well-formed layout illustrated in the image in my previous response. So, when you ask whether it creates an "up to date" library, it reflects the current content of your iTunes library database, but won't do anything with:

• entries in the iTunes database that don't have a valid reference to an underlying media file (i.e., "broken links")
• any media files that are in your existing library folders (or anywhere else on your PC) that don't have an entry in the iTunes database (i.e., "orphan files")

A pedant writes:

Consolidation does one thing - it copies any library content...etc.

I know you know... 😉

tt2

<homer>D'oh!</homer>

😊

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2