Windows 7: Transfer iTunes Library and Settings from Windows XP and Vista

Today was a big day for my Dell computer. Because, I installed iTunes and transferred (moved) my entire music library over to it. This was important because I am retiring my old computer and needed to get my beloved iPod hooked up!

The first piece of amazement for me was that Apple does not provide any tools through the iTunes software or via their website to transfer all of your settings from one machine to another. This can be annoying to setup all of the tabs and keep track of your music library! So, after a little Google searching, I came across Aleksandar Vacić's blog for which he provides a solution:

1. Copy C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\ into the identical folder in new install.
2. Copy C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\ into the identical folder in new install
3. Copy entire contents of old C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\ into the identical folder in new install

However, this does not work for transferring or moving iTunes settings on Microsoft Windows 7 from Microsoft Windows XP (although it does work for Windows Vista to Windows 7). The reason being, is that Microsoft in Windows Vista and Windows 7 they remapped the folders so they do not line up exactly. So, an updated version of Aleksandar's checklist would be:

1. Copy the folder C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\ to the folder C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\

2. Copy C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\ to the folder C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Apple Computer\iTunes

3. Copy entire contents of old C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\ to the folder C:\Users\USERNAME\Music\iTunes

Then start up your iTunes and you will have been successful in the move or transfer of your settings and library to your new Microsoft Windows Vista PC.

Did this solution work for you? If so, please let me know with a comment!

Also, if you are interested in what the mappings of all the old folders in Windows XP were versus what they are in Windows 7.

Microsoft Windows XP	Microsoft Windows Vista
Application Data	AppData\Roaming
Cookies	\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies
Local Settings	\AppData\Local
My Documents	\Documents
NetHood	\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts
PrintHood	\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts
Recent	\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
SendTo	\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
Start Menu	\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
Templates	\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates

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