How to Transfer Ipod Songs to Your Itunes Library

I know life has many accidents and risks. Your computer dies while you are on the verge of completing a huge paper you have been writing for a class or you break your leg right before the marathon and watch as your 6 months of constant work and hard-earned preparation get kicked into the dust. Must this happen with your music? Absolutely not! There is a way to salvage all your vast collections of Led Zeppelin, Taylor Swift and Muse back to their respective and righteous home that is iTunes in a matter of minutes.

1. Plug in your iPod to your computer

ITunes will not configure your iPod until it is connected to your iPod. DO NOT SYNC THE TWO LIBRARIES TOGETHER, or else you will find all your iPod songs disappear into the sunset that is internet oblivion. Also, check My Computer to make sure your iPod can be seen as a hard disk.

2. Once connected, Exit iTunes.

Yes, you did all that to open it. Now close it!

3. Go to your iTunes Directory (My Music/iTunes by default) and delete the XML file and the ITL file (library database) that was installed when you first plugged in your iPod.

By doing this, you are emptying your entire iTunes library.

4. Navigate to your iPod icon on My Computer and set the folder options to show Hidden Files.

5. Find the hidden file marked iPod Control and copy it to your desktop.

This folder contains lots of weird file names, but this in fact is all the music you have on your iPod. Copying all of this to your desktop will take a while, so grab a coffee or chat with a friend about life and iPods.

6. Open iTunes and go to File-> Add a Folder and select the iPod Control folder previously copied.

Before doing this, make sure iTunes is set to manage your library and to copy files when added to iTunes. This will ensure that all the necessary Tag IDs and appropriate picture album go with the right song.

7. Clean Up Step

Once everything has been properly copied and organized into the iTunes database, connect your iPod to your computer and auto-sync the two libraries together, wiping the iPod clean and syncing the new iTunes library to the iPod. This will ensure that the databases are identical. Once finished, you are free to delete the iPod Control Folder on your desktop!