How to Transfer Your iTunes Library to a New Computer in Five Minutes
The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, in this article I will show you how you can transfer your entire iTunes music library from your old computer to your new computer in 5 minutes.
First, you want to make sure that all of your music is in your iTunes music folder. The best and easiest way to do this is to open the iTunes computer program. In the top menu, click on "Advanced" and select the "Consolidate Library" option. iTunes will now start moving all your music into its iTunes music folder.
Now you'll have to follow two directions, depending on if you're on a PC or a Mac.
On a PC:
Quit iTunes and click over to your My Documents folder. Inside this folder, go to My Music. Inside My Music is your iTunes music folder. Now, copy this to a flash drive (if its big enough), an external hard drive, online using backup services like Mozy, or burned onto a CD-R or a DVD. You can even enable Disk Use on your iPod and move it there.
After you copy the iTunes library, disconnect whatever you used and take it to your new computer.
On a Mac:
Go to your user folder and open Music. Inside the Music folder is your iTunes music folder. Now, copy this to a flash drive (if its big enough), an external hard drive, online using backup services like Mozy, or burned onto a CD-R or a DVD. You can even enable Disk Use on your iPod and move it there.
After you copy the iTunes library, disconnect whatever you used and take it to your new computer.
Transferring Your Copies iTunes Library to Your New Computer:
It doesn't matter if your new computer is a Mac or a PC: It'll work either way! If iTunes isn't already installed, install it from apple.com/itunes. Quit iTunes and go to your iTunes music folder (following the directions above regarding whether it's a Mac or a PC). Delete the new iTunes music folder and copy the old iTunes music folder off of whatever you originally copied it on. Make sure you copy your old iTunes music folder to the exact place that the new iTunes music folder was.
Open iTunes and you will now see your old library. Everything will have transferred over to your new computer, including your playlists, ratings, how many times you played a song, etc. Wasn't that easy and fast? Enjoy your old music on your new computer!
Published by Penny Richards
A traveling explorer who enjoys experiencing life at its fullest. View profile
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70 Comments
Post a CommentI did that in the past, my problem is that i have an Old libray with a new Itouch which it has old music that the new library doesnt have, my question is, does anybody knows how to transfer how to old music from itouch, to the new excisting library on my pc? Thanks folks!
I copied all of my files no problem. The problem is unless I have my flash drive in my laptop when I click on a song it cannot be found. All the songs are listed in the Itunes library but they don't play. Could someone please tell me what I have done or have not done? Thanks in advance!
Thank you for such a useful article. I got a brand new MacBook pro last Christmas (Santa you are awesome!) and I had to figure out how to move iTunes from my old laptop to Mac. I tried your method and I almost got it done. After several attempts, some files were still missing though. So I googled that issue and found a program named Tuneswift that was able to move my library to Mac without hassle. For those who are not computer savvy, I recommend this program: http://www.wikihow.com/Transfer-iTunes-Library-to-a-New-Computer-with-CopyTrans-TuneSwift
http://www.softwarebbs.com/wiki/IPod/iPhone/iPad_To_Computer_Transfer_%26_Backup_Software_Reviews
This Software reviews is about alternative software applications (besides iTunes) to manage iPod/iPhone/iPad contents. <b>It includes the transferring of music, photos, videos, SMS, Contact ect. between iPod/iPhone/iPad and computer(PC or Mac).</b>
More reviews: <a href="http://www.softwarebbs.com/wiki/IPod/iPhone/iPad_To_Computer_Transfer_%26_Backup_Software_Reviews">iPod/iPhone/iPad To Computer Transfer & Backup Software Reviews</a>
Worked amazing...Thank you!!!
I can only find the music that I bought. Where does iTunes file the music that I got from CD's and such?
Mydaughtercomputercrashedhowdoigetitunesonmycomputer
if you cannot find "consolidate librry" under "advanced" try this:
1) go to "file"
2) go down to "library"
3) then hit "organize library..."
4) then you should see "consolidate library"
hope it helps
Why is this so hard? Or why does Apple make it so hard. I love my Itune, but this is not worth the bother. I am going back to the cheaper MP3. I know it will break more often, but the hassle is gone. Bye Apple.