How can I transfer my iTunes library from a PC to a Mac using an external hard drive?

Question

I want to move my whole iTunes library (including play counts, date added, playlists, etc.) from my Windows Vista PC over to my new MacBook Pro. The first time I tried, the music transferred over fine but none of the other data did. I ended getting mixed up as to what file was what so I deleted everything off the Mac and now I just want to start over again. How can I use an external hard drive to transfer the music, along with all the other data, from the PC to the Mac?

Answer 1

Well it IS possible. BUT, it's a long way to go.

Here's what you do.

Boot up your vista -

Go to "My Documents" - "My Music" -

Now copy the entire "iTunes" folder to your external harddisk (preferably firewire) -

Also copy all the songs if they're not in the iTunes folder -

Shut down your Vista



Turn on your mac -

Run iTunes and clean it. Delete anything that's in it. Then hit command+Q (Quit).

Plug in your harddisk and copy the "iTunes" folder to your user folder - Music - iTunes (Replace the old one if there's any) -

Now run the iTunes application again -

Go to file - import (or shift+command+O) -

Look for the .itl file (or .xml) in your itunes folder - Open it -

Here comes the hardest part

Since the file system on Mac is completely different, you'll have to locate every single song manually from your iTunes Music Library -

I don't think there's any other way to do it.

But there's something you can count on, even if you haven't fixed all the songs your iPod would still sync the data (how many times played and etc.), I know it's weird but trust me, it's true.



If you're a "history-freak" like me, then you'll think it's worth it too.



Bytheway, no one told me this method. I tried it myself and worked fine. I didn't lose a single song data from over the past three years and my iPod (Classic 80gb) is syncing fine from my new MacBook Pro. I don't use my iPhone to listen to music, so wouldn't know about that.



Good Luck,



Let me know if you have any questions.

Answer 2

here's a tip that not many people know about itunes, before adding the music to your new computer open up itunes and to to edit then preference then the advance tab and check the box that says 'Copy files to iTunes media folder when adding to library' because otherwise you would have to have the hard drive always plugged in to your computer to play the music because with out the box checked itunes makes a link from where it first found the music behind the scenes Then go to file

Answer 3

playcounts dates and playlists wont transfer at all