How to Transfer Your iTunes Library to a New Computer in Five Minutes

iTunes is the music management software program released by computer manufacturer Apple. Many individuals use iTunes to catalog their MP3 song files and sync their music with digital music devices such as the Apple iPod. Learn how to transfer your iTunes Library (including your song play counts, ratings and iTunes playlists) to a brand new computer without losing your preferences or options.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• iTunes software
• Blank CDs/DVDs, external hard drive, online media storage or other method of storing iTunes data

1. Quit and close the Apple iTunes music software program.

2. Click the Start menu button in the lower left-hand corner of your PC screen and select "My Computer." On a Mac, double-click the hard drive icon on your desktop and go to your main user file.

3. Double-click on "My Documents" and open your My Music folder (on a Windows PC), or double-click the Music folder in your User file (on a Mac computer).

4. Copy the entire My Music (PC) or Music (Mac) folder to a USB flash drive (if it is large enough), an external hard drive, an online backup services such as Mozy.com, or to a blank CD-R/RW or DVD. You may also be able to transfer your music folder using your Apple iPod MP3 player bu enabling Disk Use and using the iPod as an external portable hard drive.

5. Download and install the Apple iTunes software program on your new computer. Apple iTunes may be downloaded from the Apple website (link in the Resources section).

6. Quit the iTunes software on your new computer and navigate to your new computer's iTunes music folder (repeat the directions in Steps 2 and 3). Delete the new iTunes music folder by dragging it to your Recycle Bin (Windows PC) or Trash bin (Mac computer).

7. Attach the storage device (e.g. blank disk media, external hard drive, iPod, etc.) you used in Step 4 to your new computer. Copy the old iTunes music folder off of the storage device and drag it to the location of your music folder on your new computer.

8. Open the iTunes music software program on your new computer. iTunes will now replicate your old iTunes MP3 library, including your old iTunes playlist, iTunes song count and iTunes ratings. The entire transfer process between your old and new computer should take approximately five to ten minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Ensure that your storage device is large enough to hold the entire contents of your iTunes music folder.

Resources

• Download iTunes Music Software

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