How Do I Transfer My iTunes to a New Computer?

When you purchase a new computer, transfer your iTunes library from your old computer to the new machine. This saves you the hassle of re-importing all of your songs or downloading them again from a third party. Transferring your iTunes library is simple, and it can be done to a Mac computer or a PC.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with iTunes
• Mass storage device

1. 
   Copy music from your old iTunes library.

   Open iTunes on your old computer. Click on "Advanced," then "Consolidate Library." This will copy all of your music into an iTunes folder on your hard drive.

2. 
   Make sure your iTunes library has been moved to the iTunes folder.

   Close iTunes. Go to "My Documents," then "My Music," then "iTunes." This will open the iTunes folder with all of your music.

3. 
   A USB flash drive is used to transfer an iTunes library.

   Move the iTunes folder to an external storage device. This can be an external hard drive, a mass storage device such as a USB flash drive, a CD or DVD, or even an iPod if it has enough space. Move the iTunes folder by clicking on it and dragging it to the icon that represents your external storage device.

4. 
   Move the empty iTunes folder on your new computer to the trash.

   Go to "My Documents," then "My Music" on your new computer. There will be an iTunes folder in that final folder. Move the iTunes folder to the trash.

5. 
   Make sure your external storage device is properly attached.

   Attach the external storage device to your new computer. Move the new iTunes folder from the storage device to the "My Music" folder (where the old iTunes folder used to be).

6. 

   Open iTunes on your new computer. iTunes will automatically import all of your music into its library. All settings from your old computer, including your playlists and song ratings, will be transferred.

Tips & Warnings

• Using a USB flash drive is the easiest way to copy your iTunes music from your old computer. Be sure that the flash drive is large enough to hold all of your music. Determine the size of your iTunes music folder by right-clicking on the folder icon and clicking "Properties." ITunes versions 8.0 and above have a "Back up to Disc" option that will automatically save your entire iTunes folder to a CD or DVD.
• Avoid using third-party software to transfer your iTunes library to a new computer. These software programs are costly and unnecessary, and they may infect your computer with viruses or corrupt your iTunes software. Transfer the new iTunes folder into the exact location as the iTunes folder that you move to the trash. This is the only way that iTunes will recognize and import your library. If you use an iPod to transfer your iTunes music, the iPod must be formatted for a Mac to transfer music to a Mac. To transfer music to a PC, the iPod must be formatted for a PC.

References

• CNET TV - Move iTunes

Resources

• Apple Support - Using an iPod to transfer your iTunes library
• Apple Support - Backing up your iTunes folder to a CD or DVD