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You've put a lot of time in your iTunes library, create playlists right only and the rating of each song you have. Now you buy a new laptop and has decided to make the switch – from Windows to Mac (Mac or Windows). Unfortunately, transferring your iTunes library along with their lists and classifications, not just a matter of moving the music files. Of course, the specific track metadata such as artist and album files are copied, but data assigned, the playlists and ratings? ITunes files live in "internal database that can not be simply transferred from PC to Mac

In fact, the best way to transfer your iTunes library is to use iTunes built-in backup and restore. This copies the contents of your CD collection or DVD's, and nowhere else. However, if you have a collection of 60 gigabytes and has no time to lose tens of standing around burning discs, this way for you. The method described here lets you copy files directly from one computer to another and take your playlists and ratings of the songs you.

This guide will be a bit complicated for the new iPod user, if you want to transfer your iTunes library with ease, try the transfer iPod for Mac (Mac to PC) or this transfer iPod music (From PC to Mac), which can help upload music to the iPod and only two clicks to transfer from iPod back to your new computer.

Step 1. On the source computer. To ensure that both teams remain the same folder structure in the source library, in iTunes Preferences panel, the tab advanced, make sure "Keep iTunes folder organized and Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library" are controlled.

Then from the Advanced menu, select "Consolidate Library." The consolidation process may take some time, depending on the speed of your machine and the size of its library. When that process is complete, you are ready to export the data from the library. From the File menu iTunes, select "Export Library …" and save the file somewhere Library.xml the target machine.

Step 2. On the destination computer. Now is the time to prepare the Mac, your destination computer. First, create a new iTunes library. (iTunes will automatically do so for the first time you launch him, and if you want to store your new library somewhere other than the default, hold down the Option key (Shift on Windows) when starting iTunes to create a new library.)

As in the source machine, make sure "Keep iTunes folder organized" and "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library "are checked in iTunes Preferences. Creating a note of the folder where music files your library back to life, and quit iTunes.

Now is the time to copy the music files in the music folder the source machine to the folder Music of the target machine. You can do this through the network, or use an external drive. Just make sure that the destination has all the same songs as the source.

Step 3. Library.xml convert the file from PC to Mac format now Library.xml file that you exported in the source contains all the music playlists and classifications, but contains file paths specific to your PC. Mac and PC in accordance with file paths differently; drive letters PCs, but the use of Mac do not. So, to make it importable by your Mac, we have to find and replace the Windows paths throughout the file with Mac paths of friendship.

To opening the file Library.xml in a text editor. If you have a large iTunes library, like me, this file may be several megabytes (18 in my case), so the opening may take longer than usual. If you can, use a machine with more memory.

Now, you'll notice that the file from a PC Library.xml contain along with many other plain text XML markup, references to cities with more pace in this format: file: / / localhost / C: / path / to / iTunes /. Using a simple search and replace, change the entries to the destination path using Mac format, for example, file: / / localhost / path / to / iTunes /. This is what my search and replacement seemed, PC F: position of the external hard drive on my Mac called "Media":

Note the Mac path does not includes a drive letter, but the PC does. Replace the / path / to / iTunes / folder to where his new library. Save the edited file. (Depending on the speed of your machine and Library.xml file size, this may take a few minutes.). Be sure to check that the source path was correctly replaced with path destination, if that part is not exactly correct, you'll be screwed later.

Step 4. Import your Library. Now your new library is ready for all classifications hard-earned and playlists. Open iTunes on the target machine. Although all the music copied to the right folder, iTunes does not. Yet.

On the File menu, select Import … And select the file you exported and edited Library.xml source – then that 'er go. It will take some time, but iTunes will suck in all playlists and tracks with rating information in their new library.

When finished, you'll notice that you have duplicates of standard playlists from iTunes issue as the 25 Most Played, Music Videos, etc. You can delete the duplicates. Also, that the whole process of determining gapless playback may take a while for their new library, too.

About the Author:

I’m a geek! I can’t think of a better way to describe myself. I’m a geek about internet marketing… and creating software… and investing. I love to learn new things and experiment with almost everything.

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