Article
Restoring playlists on a new computer
By Jesse Hollington
Social Media & Software Editor, iLoungeGoogle+
Published: Friday, April 16, 2010
Articles Categories: Ask iLounge, iPod classic, Music, Windows
Ask iLounge offers readers the opportunity to get answers to their iPod-, iPhone-, iPad-, iTunes-, or Apple TV-related questions from a member of the iLounge editorial team. We'll answer several questions here each week, and of course, you can always get help with more immediate concerns from the iLounge Discussion Forums. Submit your questions for consideration using our Ask iLounge Submit Form. We reserve the right to edit questions for grammar, spelling, and length.
Q: Hello. I have gotten a new computer with Windows 7. I have in the past used CopyTrans to copy content back from my husband’s, mine, and even my daughter’s iPod. It seems to work great. However I also use an online backup service (Carbonite) and when I restored/installed my backups onto my new computer, naturally all my music was there, but I don’t see any playlists. I have NOT installed iTunes yet because I really need playlists as much as the library which was the reason CopyTrans was so appealing. Should I delete both my and my husband’s library from the usual place (My Music) and just start fresh with CopyTrans? I’m afraid if I use CopyTrans the music will all be there twice.
Anonymous
A: If you’ve done a complete backup of your old computer with Carbonite, you should be able to restore your actual iTunes library database file, which would contain the index to your actual media files, your playlists, and other metadata such as rating, play count and last played date. The library database also contains information on your synced iPods, basically allowing you to pick up exactly where you left off.
Unless you’ve taken specific steps to move your library database, you should normally find it as a file named “iTunes Library.ITL” in you “iTunes” folder within “My Music.” Ideally you should be able to just restore the entire “iTunes” folder to the corresponding location on your new Windows 7 computer and iTunes should pick it up the next time you start it up. Note that if you’re already run iTunes on the new computer, it may have created a new library database in that location, but feel free to overwrite it with the one from your backup as that’s likely the one you really want to be using.
You can find more information on how this all works in our tutorials on Backing up your iTunes Library and Transferring your iTunes Library to a new computer.
|
The most asked question at iLounge.com: |
Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more: The Complete Guide to iPod, Apple TV and iPhone Video Formats |
Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more: The Complete Guide to iPod, iPhone and Apple TV Video Conversion (Mac) |
Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more: The Complete Guide to iPod, iPhone and Apple TV Video Conversion (Win) |
|
|
|
|
|
Find more answers in the latest publications in our Library. Free downloads developed by the editors of iLounge!
Ask iLounge Archives:
5-23-13: Costs associated with using FaceTime
5-22-13: iMessages showing as Delivered when iPhone is out of coverage
5-21-13: Inability to use Find My Friends without a passcode
5-17-13: Calendar info disappears after iCloud restore
5-16-13: Remove old iCloud backup after restoring to a new iPhone
Related Stories
- Costs associated with using FaceTime
- iMessages showing as Delivered when iPhone is out of coverage
- Inability to use Find My Friends without a passcode
- Calendar info disappears after iCloud restore
- Remove old iCloud backup after restoring to a new iPhone
- Setting up a ringtone in iTunes
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- iLounge Weekly coming Monday, giveaway update
- Apple drops refurbished fourth-gen iPad, mini prices
- Judge: US can show Apple e-book pricing conspiracy
- AT&T’s GoPhone to add LTE/HSPA+ support for iPhone
- Report: iOS 7 ‘black, white, and flat all over’
- Apple WWDC Keynote set for June 10
- Apps: Foursquare 6.2, Hyper Breaker Turbo, Pandora 4.3 + Shazam 6.0
- Apple patent application details interactive AirPlay, TV
- Report: iWatch pushed to late 2014?
- Griffin releases iPhone 5 Survivor + Catalyst Waterproof Case
Recent Reviews
- Lynktec TruGlide Pro Precision Stylus
- C4 Electronics Dolry HiFi Stone 30-Pin AirPlay Adapter
- Boombotix Boombot Rex Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
- Nuu Splash Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
- Scosche boomBottle Weatherproof Sport Wireless Speaker
- HMDX Jam Plus Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
- Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity & Sleep Wristband
- Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100 + 200 Bluetooth + AirPlay Wireless Speakers
- Mophie Juice Pack Plus for iPhone 5
- Ultimate Ears UE Boom
Recent Articles
- Costs associated with using FaceTime
- iMessages showing as Delivered when iPhone is out of coverage
- Inability to use Find My Friends without a passcode
- Calendar info disappears after iCloud restore
- Remove old iCloud backup after restoring to a new iPhone
- Setting up a ringtone in iTunes
- Using a Wi-Fi hard drive with an iPad
- Backing up and restoring an iPod classic
- Can’t restore iPod touch without passcode
- Retaining older versions of Apps during an iOS Restore










