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DavidB52

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 22, 2011
13
0
Hi, folks.

Relatively new user of an iPod here (Touch, 64 GB).

I recently had a problem with an old computer crashing. It was old, about ten years old, so I wasn't surprised. However, it did raise my awareness about backing everything up.

So now I am wondering, before this computer dies, which has iTunes on it, how do I back it up? I would hate to lose all the music I have put there. I am considering purchasing a USB Flash drive or even an external hard drive. What file do I have to copy and paste over? And is this file easy to find through Windows Explorer? By default, is it in a particular folder (I assume in the "Program Files" folder)?
 
It depends on how you organized your music folder.

If you chose the "Keep my iTunes media folder organized" option as well as "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding files" then all you would have to do is copy the Music/iTunes/iTunes Media directory. You can also use the iTunes Backup feature to burn your music to CDs or DVDs.

If you have not, you can tell iTunes to "consolidate" your library into one folder.

Also, make sure you deactivate the old computer in iTunes if you have music purchased from the iTunes store before they went DRM free or if you have not upgraded the music files to iTunes Plus.
 
What if i migrate from OSX to windows or vice versa?

Will copying the iTunes directory preserve the ratings, playlist, playcount, album art, meta data and stuff?
 
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