How to Restore iTunes Library?
There are a number of reasons which require end-users to restore the iTunes library. These can range from purchasing a new computer, reloading an operating system, or suffering through a hard drive crash. Once the computer is restored, the iTunes program has to be reinstalled if not backed up via alternative means. Once installed, music contained in the previous iTunes library will not be restored automatically. In fact, if an iPod, iPhone, or iPad is connected and synched with the new installation of iTunes, the entire music library stored on the respective portable device can be lost. When iTunes was first released, third party software was required to restore the iTunes library; however, the process can be now be accomplished without purchase of additional software.
Steps to Restore the iTunes Library
Step 1 – Restore the computer from the event that resulted in losing the iTunes installation and multimedia library.
Step 2 – Download the appropriate version of iTunes for your computer’s Operating System (OS). After downloading the software, double click the installation file on a Windows computer to install on the targeted computer. Some configurations of the Windows OS will require that the user be logged-on as an administrator.
Step 3 – Connect the iDevice (iPod, iPhone, iPad) to the computer that contains the iTunes library to restore on the target computer. After connecting the device, do not allow it to synch with the iTunes application or all multimedia will be removed from the device.
Step 4 – If the purchased files were made on a different computer than the one being restored, select the “Store” menu option and then click the “Authorize Computer” menu option. The iTunes application will then ask for the iTunes account login and password to proceed with the authorization.
Step 5 – Choose the “File” menu button followed by clicking the “Transfer Purchases from iPod” menu choice. This option will be greyed out unless an iDevice is connected to the computer. *Note, if you have a mix of iTunes purchased multimedia and non-purchased files, ensure you skip this step and continue to step 7 or you may import duplicate copies of the purchased music and movies.
Step 6 – The music previously purchased from iTunes will now be transferred to the “Purchased” folder under the “Store” folder on the iTunes menu interface.
Step 7 – To recover additional multimedia files not purchased from the iTunes store, open the Windows Explorer by pressing the “Windows” and “E” keys simultaneously or by opening the “Finder” on a Mac.
Step 8 – Allow hidden folders to be viewed by choosing the “Tools” and “Folder Options” menu options. Then, select the “Show Hidden Files and Folders” menu option on a Windows computer. On a Mac, choose the “Applications/Utilities” folder and then open the “Terminal” application. Enter “defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE” followed by selecting the “Return” key. Finally, enter “killall Finder” to exit the Terminal application.
Step 9 – Open the “iPod_Control” folder on the “E Drive” followed by opening the “Music” folder.
Step 10 – In the iTunes interface open the “Advanced Preferences” menu and check the “Copy Files to iTunes Music Folder When Adding to Library” box if not selected already.
Step 11 – Choose the “File” and “Add Folder to Library” menu options on a Windows computer. On a Mac choose the “Add to Library” menu choice and select the “Music” folder on the iDevice opened in the previous step. Depending on the size of library stored on the iDevice, it may take some time to complete the restoration of the iTunes library.
There are a number of reasons which require end-users to restore the iTunes library. These can range from purchasing a new computer, reloading an operating system, or suffering through a hard drive crash. Once the computer is restored, the iTunes program has to be reinstalled if not backed up via alternative means. Once installed, music contained in the previous iTunes library will not be restored automatically. In fact, if an iPod, iPhone, or iPad is connected and synched with the new installation of iTunes, the entire music library stored on the respective portable device can be lost. When iTunes was first released, third party software was required to restore the iTunes library; however, the process can be now be accomplished without purchase of additional software.
Steps to Restore the iTunes Library
Step 1 – Restore the computer from the event that resulted in losing the iTunes installation and multimedia library.
Step 2 – Download the appropriate version of iTunes for your computer’s Operating System (OS). After downloading the software, double click the installation file on a Windows computer to install on the targeted computer. Some configurations of the Windows OS will require that the user be logged-on as an administrator.
Step 3 – Connect the iDevice (iPod, iPhone, iPad) to the computer that contains the iTunes library to restore on the target computer. After connecting the device, do not allow it to synch with the iTunes application or all multimedia will be removed from the device.
Step 4 – If the purchased files were made on a different computer than the one being restored, select the “Store” menu option and then click the “Authorize Computer” menu option. The iTunes application will then ask for the iTunes account login and password to proceed with the authorization.
Step 5 – Choose the “File” menu button followed by clicking the “Transfer Purchases from iPod” menu choice. This option will be greyed out unless an iDevice is connected to the computer. *Note, if you have a mix of iTunes purchased multimedia and non-purchased files, ensure you skip this step and continue to step 7 or you may import duplicate copies of the purchased music and movies.
Step 6 – The music previously purchased from iTunes will now be transferred to the “Purchased” folder under the “Store” folder on the iTunes menu interface.
Step 7 – To recover additional multimedia files not purchased from the iTunes store, open the Windows Explorer by pressing the “Windows” and “E” keys simultaneously or by opening the “Finder” on a Mac.
Step 8 – Allow hidden folders to be viewed by choosing the “Tools” and “Folder Options” menu options. Then, select the “Show Hidden Files and Folders” menu option on a Windows computer. On a Mac, choose the “Applications/Utilities” folder and then open the “Terminal” application. Enter “defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE” followed by selecting the “Return” key. Finally, enter “killall Finder” to exit the Terminal application.
Step 9 – Open the “iPod_Control” folder on the “E Drive” followed by opening the “Music” folder.
Step 10 – In the iTunes interface open the “Advanced Preferences” menu and check the “Copy Files to iTunes Music Folder When Adding to Library” box if not selected already.
Step 11 – Choose the “File” and “Add Folder to Library” menu options on a Windows computer. On a Mac choose the “Add to Library” menu choice and select the “Music” folder on the iDevice opened in the previous step. Depending on the size of library stored on the iDevice, it may take some time to complete the restoration of the iTunes library.
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