New Computer How to install library

[kimrpaige]

Hello,
I may have a stupid question. I just bought a brand new All in one Sony Computer. I need to know how to install my library after I download Itunes. Windows 7. I do have an external HDD. so is this very hard to do? Thanks, Kim

[cjmnews]

If you had the library on the external drive using the old computer, then all you need to do is plug in the external into the new computer, set the drive letter to the same as it was on the old computer.

Next you need to see if your iTunes Library.itl file was located on the external drive on the old computer or the C drive default location (My Music\iTunes) in the old computer.

If External Drive, hold Shift and start iTunes, int the choose library prompt, navigate to the external drive and select the iTunes Library.itl file.
If C drive, then you need to copy the My Music\iTunes folder from your old computer to your new computer. Then start iTunes.

You should see your library and the contents should play.

Now if you were using the C drive default location for your music (My Music\iTunes) then copy the My Music\iTunes folder from the old computer to the new computer. You can use the external drive as a temp place to store and transfer with, or use the network, or any other connection between the two systems. Then you start iTunes, and your library should be available and play.

If you were one of those that scattered your music all over your drive and did not allow iTunes to manage your music, then you can either Consolidate to the My Music\iTunes folder and use the steps above, or backup your music from the various locations, and the folder with your iTunes library (My Music\iTunes is the default, but it could be anywhere) from the old computer. Restore the backup so that all the files are in the EXACT drive and folder they were before. Start iTunes, (if your library was not in the default location hold SHIFT then start iTunes and locate it) and hopefully your library will appear and everything will play.

That is the summarized version for the most common scenarios. There are details in the sticky: http://forums.ilounge.com/itunes-mac...s-library.html

[culp4684]

Please let us know how you make out with this. I have the same issue although my new Toshiba Satellite is running Windows 8.

I have tried the External Drive and Home Sharing methods that Apple recommends. I keep winding up with every song at least duplicated (sometimes more) in the iTunes Library on my new computer.

I have even tried transferring my library from my iPod Touch to the new computer using an aftermarket product called iExplorer. The same duplication problem happens.