When you get a new computer or hard drive, you can move your iTunes library, enabling you to run iTunes on a new machine, and keep the links to these music files active.
Before you begin
Make a new backup of your iTunes library, or update your existing backup before you move it. Even if you already have a backup of your iTunes library, this step makes sure you capture any changes and makes the process easier.
Step 1: Install iTunes
Download and install the latest version of iTunes.
Step 2: Move any new content
If you’ve used iTunes on your new computer already, close iTunes and move your media to a new folder. This will keep anything you added to your new computer separate from your old library. These files can be added back to your library in Step 4.
Before you begin, de-select the option to keep your iTunes media folder organised:
- Choose iTunes > Preferences.
- Click the Advanced button.
- De-select “Keep iTunes Media folder organized.”
- Click OK.
Note: If you move your media to an external hard drive, you must connect that drive to your computer to access your files. Remember to back up the media you have in iTunes.
We recommend to have the “Keep iTunes Media folder organized” setting off, as this can move your files around, and invalidate the links Serato DJ creates to your tracks.
Next, move your iTunes folder, and any associated media to a new drive location.
Step 3: Copy the iTunes backup from your old computer
To copy all of your media files, including the library file that holds all your playlists and other settings, to your new computer:
- Locate the following folder on your old computer.
- Mac: Choose Go > Home from the Finder menu bar. Double click the Music folder.
- Windows XP: Navigate to \Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\.
- Windows Vista: Navigate to \Users\username\Music\iTunes.
- Windows 7 and Windows 8: Navigate to \Users\username\My Music\iTunes.
- Drag the iTunes folder in this location onto the desktop.
- Locate the external drive on your old computer:
- Mac: on the desktop.
- Windows: In My Computer or Computer.
- Double-click the external drive icon to open it.
- Drag your iTunes folder from your desktop onto the external drive, and safely remove the drive once copying has finished.
- Connect your external drive to your new computer, and drag the iTunes folder from your external drive to the Music folder (Mac) or My Music Folder (Windows). The transfer might take a while if you have a lot of content.
OS X: From the external drive to the Music folder:
Windows: From the external drive to the Music library:
- While holding ‘Alt‘ (Mac) or ‘Shift‘ (Win), open iTunes. This will allow you to manually choose the Serato Library file to open. Proceed to your iTunes folder, and open the .itl file in this location.
- Go back into the advanced tab of your Preferences, and adjust your iTunes Media folder location to the folder which your music is now in. If necessary, click the ‘i’ showing on any un-located tracks, and let iTunes locate this. You will also be prompted to use this location to find any other missing tracks.
You’ve now moved all of your music, playlists, and other information—including play counts and ratings—from your old computer to your new one.
Step 4 (optional): Add back new content
Copy any music shifted from your original location back into iTunes. iTunes will now import that content, and you should be good to go.