Thread: Moving iTunes Library

I have a PC with a hard disk that is nearly full, as it contains 40GB of iTunes music files. [ am about to buy a new notebook computer and I'd like to know how I can transfer the library from the old PC to the new one. I have an external hard disk, which already has all my iTunes backed up on it.

You can copy your library but the process depends on a few things. You're off to a head start, though, because you already have the music files on a hard disk. The first thing to do is copy those files to the My Music folder on the new computer (in Vista, it'sjust called Music).

If you're not bothered about keeping the old ratings and playlists from your old computer, you can simply run iTunes now and tell it to organise your library. It will then scan all the tunes and put them in the correct folders for you. Second, you should deauthorise the old computer if you're no longer going to be using it. That's because iTunes oniy allows bought songs to be played on five computers, so you need to remove the old one or you may run out in future.

To do so, click the Store menu and click 'Deauthorize computer' (it may be in the Advanced menu on some versions ofiTunes). Sign in if you are asked to do so and follow any prompts that appear.