HT204318: How to move your iTunes library to a new computer

Learn about How to move your iTunes library to a new computer
mbkramer
Level 1 (4 points)
Apple Music

Q: Transfer of iTunes Library from old PC to new PC is not showing up in iTunes after completed.  I followed the Apple Support instructions precisely.

Transfer of iTunes Library from old PC to new PC is not showing up in iTunes after completed.  I followed the Apple Support instructions precisely.  I can see that it did transfer, but it is not showing up when I open iTunes, only my purchased music is there, which was already there before.  In other words, no change.

Posted on Jul 2, 2016 1:50 PM

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mbkramer

Q: Transfer of iTunes Library from old PC to new PC is not showing up in iTunes after completed.  I followed the Apple Support i ... more

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  • by alex_oz,

    alex_oz alex_oz Jul 3, 2016 11:30 AM in response to mbkramer
    Community Specialists
    Jul 3, 2016 11:30 AM in response to mbkramer

    Hi mbkramer,

     

     

    I understand that you're not able to see your iTunes library on your new PC after using the steps from HT204318 to move your iTunes library to a new computer. I'd like to provide some suggestions that may help to resolve the issue.

     

    To start, let's make sure iTunes is opening the correct library file when the program opens. Please follow these steps to open a different iTunes library file:

     

    Windows

    1. If iTunes is running, quit iTunes.
    2. Hold down the Shift key. Then, from the Start menu, choose All Programs > iTunes > iTunes.
    3. You'll see a message that says Choose iTunes Library. Depending on what you want to do, choose Choose Library or Create Library.

    If you don't see the message, try again. Remember to hold down the Option key if you're using a Mac or the Shift key if you're using Windows.

     

    These steps should allow you to select the iTunes library file you'd like to use. The above steps were quoted from this Apple support article:

    Open a different iTunes Library file or create a new one - Apple Support

     

     

    Take care!

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jul 6, 2016 11:27 AM in response to mbkramer
    Level 10 (85,368 points)
    iPod
    Jul 6, 2016 11:27 AM in response to mbkramer

    Try Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash, particularly if the new system is running a different build of iTunes from the old one.

     

    tt2

  • by MacHesney,

    MacHesney MacHesney Jul 23, 2016 10:19 AM in response to mbkramer
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Jul 23, 2016 10:19 AM in response to mbkramer

    Have you tried simply copying the entire old iTunes folder to:
    Users/Name/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/Automatically Add to iTunes/

    If iTunes is open it is indeed done automatically no other step required.

     

    I tried just copying individual folders instead of the entire iTunes folder and that succeeded.
    Files not added will be left in the Not Added folder, I had one that was damaged from a file recovery attempt.


    In general, in the situation of a new Windows installation, without iTunes installed yet, just place the old iTunes folder into
    Users/Name/Music/ and THEN install iTunes.  This could fail if the earlier iTunes library is incompatible.