Save Itunes Music Library On Mac To Windows System

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The aim of this tip is help you get a split library into a portable form, or convince you not to split up the library in the first place.

Sometimes we may need to back up iTunes music from Windows PC to external hard drive. For example, you may want to upgrade from the old PC to the new one, so you need to copy all iTunes music from old PC to a portable hard drive then import the music from the portable hard drive to your new computer. May 01, 2019  The aim of this tip is help you get a split library into a portable form, or convince you not to split up the library in the first place. A 'split' iTunes library is one where the active library file is stored in one place, typically the iTunes folder inside your user's Music folder, while the content has been stored somewhere else like an external drive. Way3: Rebuild iTunes Library - Works for Windows and Mac; Way4: Using Time Machine to Recover iTunes Library File - Works for Mac Only; Way1: Ultimate Tool to Fix Corrupted iTunes Library. The first way and the best way to fix iTunes Library is to use Tenorshare TunesCare. This tool has the power to solve a wide range of iTunes errors. Mar 24, 2020 How to manually back up your iTunes library. If you're not employing a Mac-wide backup service (really, you should get on that), or if you just want to manually back up your iTunes library separately, here's how to go about that. Consolidate your library. To ensure that all of your iTunes files are in the same place when you make a manual.


A 'split' iTunes library is one where the active library file is stored in one place, typically the iTunes folder inside your user's Music folder, while the content has been stored somewhere else like an external drive. Once a library has been split like this it becomes harder to move the library to a new path or computer without breaking the connection between the library and the media files. There are also unwanted side effects with a split library if iTunes is ever started up while the drive holding the media folder is offline, or Windows assigns that drive a different drive letter for some reason. iTunes will silently reset its media folder to the default path, a folder called iTunes Media in the library folder, and won't be able to access your media until you connect the drive and restart iTunes. iTunes will continue to use the default media folder for all new content until you change the location again via preferences, and then you need to remember to consolidate the media that is stored in the wrong location, and clean up any originals left in the wrong place.


Split libraries are usually created when a user runs out out room on the source drive and reads advice to move their media to a new media folder on an external drive. Rather than splitting the library seasoned iTunes users will move the entire working library to a new location and then connect to it there. When a library has been relocated in this fashion if you should start iTunes with the host drive offline, iTunes will complain that it can't find the library and ask you to choose or create one. At this point you can cancel, connect the drive and then start iTunes as normal. No preferences will have been changed.


A 'portable' library can be moved from one path or computer to another without breaking the links between the library and the media, and being self-contained is much easier to backup. You can even move a portable library between Mac and Windows machines. If you backup a portable library by cloning the library folder to another drive then, should the source copy fail, you can start using the library on the backup device immediately.




Make a split library portable

Here are the typical layouts for the iTunes folders:




In the layout above right, with the media folder (everything in the red box) directly inside the library folder, in the 'new' layout, and with all media consolidated (i.e. there are no items stored outside of the media folder), the library is considered to be portable. The principle difference between the new layout, once referred to as 'iTunes Media Organization', and the old one is that iPod Games, Mobile Applications and Ringtones have been moved inside the media folder instead of being in the library folder, and artist folders have been moved down a level into <Media Folder>Music. More recently Ringtones was renamed as Tones. There may also be regional differences.




You can rearrange things to make a split library portable by taking a number of small steps which don't break the library. Backup the current state of the library, or at the very least, the iTunes Library.itl file, before you start. See Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy for a suggested strategy (Windows only, but similar tools exist for OS X). In each case only a subset of these operations are likely to be required. Which depends on the starting conditions.


The basic non-fatal manipulations of an iTunes library are:

  1. You can move the library files and the media together as a unit if the media folder is a direct subfolder of the library folder, the library is in the 'new' layout, and if all media is consolidated, i.e. is in the desired portable layout. Connect to the library in the new location with step d.
  2. You can switch the library from the old layout to the new one using File > Library > Organize Library.. > Rearrange files in the folder '<Media Folder>'. This option is not available if the library is already in the new layout.
  3. You can consolidate any media stored outside of the media folder using File > Library > Organize Library.. > Consolidate files. This option may be available even if all media is already consolidated. Use it if you are not certain.
  4. You can connect to an alternate set of library files by holding down Shift (Win) or Option (Mac) when starting iTunes then using the option to choose a library. If you don't get a prompt to choose or create a library close iTunes and try again holding the key down until the prompt appears. In some cases having chosen an alternate set of library files will automatically change the path to the media folder. This is what we want in a 'portable' library but if it happens when it isn't wanted you can reset the media folder to the correct path which should repair any broken links in the library.
  5. You can copy or move the library files (the 5 files listed at the bottom of the image above together with the Album Artwork and Previous iTunes Libraries folders) to a new location, then connect to them there with d. as long as the media stays put.
  6. If you have already copied or moved the media content from a subfolder of the library folder to a different location (via consolidation or manually, thereby breaking your library) then you only need to copy the library files for it to appear as if you have moved the entire library in the way allowed in a. I.e. just copy the library files into the parent folder of the media folder.
  7. You can rename the media folder to iTunes Media (if it isn't already) if the media folder is directly inside the library folder. Close iTunes, rename the folder, start iTunes. iTunes should update the media folder location accordingly.
  8. Having made a library 'portable' you may need to take a final step of renaming the library folder to iTunes or, if the library files have ended up at the root of a drive, moving all of the library files and content folders down into a new folder called iTunes and then reconnecting to the library there with d.


After each change you need to open, test and close the relevant library before attempting another change. If a change broke the library, undo what you actually did or revert to using the previous set of library files. Make sure the correct media folder is being referenced.


Exactly which steps need to be used will depend on the starting arrangements of the library and the media. In many cases two or three will suffice.


When moving the library files from the default location to any other (in steps a.e. or f.) you can either correct the name of the .xml file or simply discard it. iTunes will automatically create the correctly named version of the file when it starts.


The steps above would normally be applied to a working library with no broken links (exclamation marks in the library) however step f. should repair a library if the media folder has been moved independently using Windows Explorer or Finder, after which steps g. and/or h. can be used if needed to apply the correct folder names.


Summary

In essence all you need to do to make a split library portable is copy the library files into the parent folder of the media folder on the external/secondary drive and use the hold-down-shift/option-when-starting-iTunes method to connect to it. Other manipulations may be required to normalize the library so that the library and media folders have standard names and the library is set out in the correct layout.



Network Performance

A library located on a shared network folder, NAS etc. may suffer from poor performance as each action in iTunes causes the .itl and .xml files to be updated. Should this be an issue then it is best to keep the overall structure of the portable library in place but copy the library files, Album Artwork and Previous iTunes Libraries folders back into a locally stored iTunes folder and connect to them there (e.). Before moving the library to a new drive or computer make it portable again by copying the library files back to the relevant folder on the network location (e. again) and accessing the library from that path at least once.



Manually Organized Libraries

Save Itunes Music Library On Mac To Windows System Update

Apart from steps b.and c. the operations can be applied to a manually organized library provided you already arrange your media inside the designated media folder while having the 'Keep iTunes Media folder organized' option turned off. If you have kept your media outside of the iTunes Media folder until now you can assign the folder where it is stored as the media folder in iTunes preferences (Edit > Preferences > Advanced), and then proceed with moving the library files into the correct relative location.



iTunes media folder preference

It should be noted that changing the media folder preference in iTunes tells iTunes where to put new content that is added to the active library. It does not change which library database file is opened, nor will it make iTunes discover uncatalogued media or reconnect to media that iTunes cannot locate.

Depending on your Finder settings, this may be as easy as simply opening a new Finder window. Otherwise, choose Home from the Finder’s Go menu ( Go Home); or press Shift-Command-H.Still in the Finder, choose View Show View Options (or press Command-J).Near the bottom of the resulting View-Options palette is a setting called Show Library Folder. Mac island library contact number. The setting you need to knowIf you’re still running Lion or Mountain Lion, making the /Library folder requires a little bit of work. (I came up with—no joke—.) But in Mavericks and Yosemite, Apple has made the task much more convenient, providing an easily accessible setting for toggling the visibility of your user-level Library folder. Here’s how to use it:Open your home folder (/Users/ yourusername) in the Finder.



Opening the library on a different computer

Normally your portable library will open happily on the new computer, however in some cases iTunes may not be able to open the library for read/write access. In such cases see Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows. Similar procedures exist for OS X. When moving between operating systems you find it easier to copy the library over a network. Windows libraries will generally be stored on NTFS drives which OS X can at least read, but since it cannot write to the drive the library would need to be copied to a Mac volume before it can be opened. Libraries created on OS X will normally be on an HFS+ formatted drive which Windows doesn't natively read or write. In either case it is possible to purchase write drivers for the other format, but it is an added complication to be aware of.




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Relocate iOS device backups
On computers with SSD system drives any iOS device backups can take up a significant proportion of the available space. iTunes doesn't provide a mechanism for choosing where this backup data is stored, but it can be relocated onto another locally connected drive and a symbolic link or junction put in place so that it appears to iTunes as if the data hasn't moved.


This set of steps would place the data at D:MobileSyncBackupbut the path could be adjusted to suit. Close iTunes while you do this.


  1. Make a new folder called MobileSync at the root of the drive you want the backup data to live on, e.g. as D:MobileSync.

  2. Use Windows Explorer to move the current Backup folder at <SystemDrive>Users<User>AppDataRoamingApple ComputerMobileSyncBackup into the folder you just made, e.g. using Ctrl+X to cut from the current location and then Ctrl+V to paste into the new one. If the backup folder is large this may take some time.

  3. To make iTunes look for the data in the new location copy the text below, open a command prompt, right-click to paste in the command, edit the destination drive letter/path if needed, and then press <Enter>.



    If you've installed iTunes from the Microsoft Store use this command instead.



    Launch Photos on your Mac.Either right-click on My Albums in the sidebar, or hover above and then click on the + button that appears next to My Albums. Mac photos multiple libraries. It's easy to do.


It is possible to do something similar with OS X, but in that case it is ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup that needs to be moved and then redirected. The redirection command in Terminal looks like this:



Where <New Volume> is the name of the volume you want to store the data on, and <User> is the name of your profile. If there are spaces in the path wrap with quotes or escape with backslash. It is probably easier to type in ln -s then drag and drop the two folders onto the command line in turn.


Note that while this method works for iOS device backups it cannot be used to redirect subfolders of the iTunes Media folder.


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Save itunes music library on mac to windows system 7




Related support documents

HT201979: iTunes: Understanding iTunes Media Organization (Document retired, archive version)

Transfer iTunes

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Is it possible to transfer iTunes library from mac to pc and/or pc to mac?

Many people have such puzzles, because iTunes is likely best known for its Mac associations, it’s quite likely that there are many households that only have their iTunes library on a Mac. If, however, a family member with a PC is heading off on a holiday and wants to bring their tunes or entertainment selection with them, it may be difficult to simply leave the copy of iTunes on one machine. It therefore makes sense to learn how to copy iTunes from a Mac to a PC to allow for greater portability for either system or either system’s music and entertainment files.

Part 1: Simplest Way to Transfer iTunes Library from Mac to PC

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Guide to Transfer iTunes Library from Mac to PC by iMusic

To transfer iTunes library from Mac to PC, here we could use iMusic's Backup iTunes library function.

Step 1. Run iMusic on your Mac Computer

Come to iMusic 's official website to download it's free trial version or click the following box to download it and then run it.

Step 2. Enter into the 'Toolbox'

Click the 'Toolbox' on the ribbon to enter the toolbox window, then choose the 'Backup/Restore iTunes' icon.

Step 3. Choose the 'Backup' option

Next the interface will pop up two icon mark, choose the 'Backup' option.

Step 4. Select the content you want to backup

Follwoing it's procedures, you will go to choose the music, movies, and other downloaded content to backup.

Step 5. Finish the process to backup iTunes Library

After choosing the music you want to backup to iTunes Library, then choose the foler route on your Mac and click 'ok'.

Step 6. Transfer iTunes Library from Mac to PC

Save Itunes Music Library On Mac To Windows System Software

Open one of your other PC like Windows computer, and download the iTunes,and iMusic as well, launch iMusic, go to it's music icon on the left top corner, and then click the 'Add' icon on the right top corner to add the files from your iTunes file.

Part 2: Free Way to Transfer iTunes Library from Mac to PC

There are only a few steps involved with transferring your iTunes library from one computer to the other, and it does not matter, at least as far as iTunes is concerned, whether you are transferring from Mac to PC or the other way around. It is not a terribly complicated process, but it is one that must followed accurately in order to ensure the successful transfer of iTunes from your Mac to a PC.

Step 1. Open iTunes on your Mac

You need to open iTunes on your Mac in order to access your Preferences settings on your iTunes for Mac. Without working on your Preferences settings, you cannot successfully transfer iTunes from one computer to the next.

Step 2. Go to iTunes > Preferences

From here, you need to hit the Advanced settings in order to set the Mac to be able to transfer iTunes successfully over to your PC.

Step 3. Under Advanced in Preferences, click “Keep iTunes Media Folder Organized”

How To Find Library On Mac

This will ensure that all your files are pointing in the right direction for your library, which ultimately makes the transference of your files easier. With an organized iTunes Media folder, your job in transferring iTunes from one system to the other becomes far less complicated.

Step 4. Click File > Library > Organize Library

This will help you to keep your songs organized in order to ensure they are in the same spot when you transfer them over to your new computer. You should also click “Consolidate Files” at this point as well; that will also help you by putting copies of all media files in the iTunes Media folder and keeping all original files in their original locations. This way all the files are pointing where they should to the locations on your drives and they should be accessible when you complete the transfer to the new computer.

Step 5. Plug your portable hard drive into your Mac

This gives you a hardwired location to which to transfer your iTunes from your Mac. On this new computer, try to take the time and put your iTunes files in the same location that you want to put it on the PC, more or less. Certainly, PC’s have a slightly different naming convention than for Mac. Confirm that there is a Music folder on your PC, and within that folder should be the iTunes folder. You can transfer the iTunes Library file and the iTunes Music folder from the portable drive to this folder.

Step 6. Change the name of the iTunes Library file

Because PC systems always need file extensions on them in order to be recognized and opened appropriately, you need to take the iTunes Library file that you just transferred from your Mac and change the name so that it has the right file extension. Right click on the iTunes Library file and rename it to iTunes Library.itl, and that should allow you to open every file that you had working in the Mac version of the program.

It should be noted that when you migrate iTunes from one computer to the other, the backups that you might have made of Mac handheld devices, such as iPhones, iPads and iPods, through iTunes will likely be lost. In addition, if you do not migrate your iTunes to the exact same location on the new PC, iTunes will not be able to find the media files, and then you might have a problem effectively using the program. So, take the time to migrate the files to the right location to ensure that you will be able to find them on the new PC.

At times, though, you may find it extremely helpful to transfer your iTunes library to an external hard drive simply in order to have a backup of your iTunes library. Having your iTunes library on an external hard drive also means that should you want to share that library with another computer or another person, you will be able to do so quite easily; if you have your external hard drive with you, it is simply a matter of taking the copy of iTunes and moving it you’re your portable hard drive to the system of your choice. Having a copy of iTunes on an external hard drive also gives you a certain degree of calm, as there have been multiple times where people have inadvertently lost everything on their computers, their iTunes files included. This can be incredibly distressing when it happens, and people want to be able to avoid this. It can sometimes take hours to build up an iTunes library, and this is time that many people do not always have.

Sometimes, people want to be prepared in the event they lose all the information on their computer, and an external hard drive can be a great tool to back up an entire hard drive on a laptop or on a desktop computer. This includes your iTunes library. Music and entertainment appear to be what make the world go round; after all, music is frequently used as a method of stress release, and we now live in a society where many expect to have a variety of forms of entertainment right at their fingertips. Having your entire iTunes library go missing on your computer can be distressing, but it does not have to be, as backing up the library to an external hard drive can prevent a great deal of stress.

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