So I'm planning on transferring my entire iTunes library from my old XP machine to my new Windows 7 computer. I've done some research on how to do it. I just want to run it by you guys to see if I'm missing something.
Keep in mind that the most important thing to me is to keep the app data intact.
Here's what I've come up with:
XP Computer
1. Check settings to determine whether the library is managed by iTunes or not.
2. Make sure files are consolidated. Otherwise do that.
3. Sync my iPhone with the old computer for the last time. Making sure it is backed up and everything.
4. Copy entire iTunes Folder (including media, database file and so on) to external HDD. Located usually under My Music on Windows XP.
5. Copy additional files to external HDD:
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Apple Compute\iTunes\iTunes.pref
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer Inc\iTunes.pref
And also the backup of your iPhone located at:
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup
Windows 7 computer
1. Install iTunes on new computer.
2. Authorize it
3. Quit iTunes
4. Copy entire iTunes folder from external HDD to corresponding location on Windows 7.
5. Copy additional files from external HDD to corresponding location on Windows 7.
6. Start iTunes while holding down the Shift Key. Choose the library that I copied over to my new system.
7. Connect my iPhone and sync as usual. I've also read that you might have to restore it from the backup file that you transferred from the old machine. We'll see what works in my case.
8. Done.
Windows XP computer again
1. Deauthorize it.
2. Format the entire computer.
3. Throw it in a dumpster... erhm, sorry. I meant recycle it responsibly.
Keep in mind that the most important thing to me is to keep the app data intact.
Here's what I've come up with:
XP Computer
1. Check settings to determine whether the library is managed by iTunes or not.
2. Make sure files are consolidated. Otherwise do that.
3. Sync my iPhone with the old computer for the last time. Making sure it is backed up and everything.
4. Copy entire iTunes Folder (including media, database file and so on) to external HDD. Located usually under My Music on Windows XP.
5. Copy additional files to external HDD:
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Apple Compute\iTunes\iTunes.pref
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer Inc\iTunes.pref
And also the backup of your iPhone located at:
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup
Windows 7 computer
1. Install iTunes on new computer.
2. Authorize it
3. Quit iTunes
4. Copy entire iTunes folder from external HDD to corresponding location on Windows 7.
5. Copy additional files from external HDD to corresponding location on Windows 7.
6. Start iTunes while holding down the Shift Key. Choose the library that I copied over to my new system.
7. Connect my iPhone and sync as usual. I've also read that you might have to restore it from the backup file that you transferred from the old machine. We'll see what works in my case.
8. Done.
Windows XP computer again
1. Deauthorize it.
2. Format the entire computer.
3. Throw it in a dumpster... erhm, sorry. I meant recycle it responsibly.