How to Put Songs From Media Player to iTunes

Do you have songs in Windows Media Player that you want to move to iTunes? The process is actually a fairly easy one, using iTunes' "Add to Library" command--and you don't even have to "move" any music files, unless you want to.

Things You'll Need

• Recent version of iTunes

Instructions

Importing songs to iTunes

1. Open the iTunes program on your computer.

2. Click on the "File" menu, select "Preferences" and click the "Advanced" tab. If the option "Copy files to the iTunes Music folder when adding to library" is checked, iTunes will actually copy all imported songs into its own folder, without deleting your original files. This setting is recommended, because it makes your library easier to move and manage; however, if you prefer that iTunes just read your existing files without copying them, uncheck this option, and click "OK".

3. Click the "File" menu again, and select "Add folder to Library." (See Reference 1) In the dialogue box that comes up, browse to the folder where your Windows Media songs are stored (usually the "My Music" folder), and open it.

4. Select the folder you want imported to iTunes, and click "OK." If you want multiple folders press and hold the "Shift" key or "Alt" key while selecting. At this point, iTunes will begin importing your songs. Depending on how many folders you select, and if iTunes is copying the files, this might take a few minutes. When the process is complete, your songs should appear in the iTunes library on your computer.

Tips & Warnings

• ITunes does not play Windows Media Audio (WMA) file formats. If your music files are in that format, versions of iTunes greater than Version 4.5 will prompt you to allow it to convert these files into the default format. You can select which format to use for importing (AAC, MP3, WAV, or others) in the Preferences section. If you are using an earlier version of iTunes (or you're using a Mac), you will not be able to import or play these files without first running them through conversion software.

• When adding songs to the iTunes library, do not select the "My Music" folder thinking you will simply import all your songs that way. The iTunes program stores its files within "My Music" on Windows computers, so selecting it might double any songs you already have in iTunes. Although it takes a little longer, it is much better to open "My Music" and hand-pick the folders inside it. (If you have no music currently in iTunes, selecting "My Music" should be fine.)

References

• Apple Support--Adding Content to ITunes

Resources

• WMA to MP3 conversion software