How to re-create your iTunes library

Re-creating the iTunes Library file

Follow these steps:

1. Quit iTunes.
2. Locate your iTunes folder.
   • For Mac OS X the iTunes folder is stored in one of the following locations:

     /Users/[your username]/Music

   • For Microsoft Windows XP and 2000 the iTunes folder is stored in

     \Documents and Settings\[your username]\My Documents\My Music\

   • For Microsoft Windows Vista the iTunes folder is stored in

     \Users\[your username]\Music\

3. Open your iTunes folder.
4. Drag the iTunes Music Library.xml to the Desktop
5. Drag the following file from your iTunes folder to the Trash:
   •  
   • Mac OS X: "iTunes Library" (in versions of iTunes prior to 4.9 this was called "iTunes 4 Music Library").
   • Microsoft Windows: "iTunes Library.itl" (in versions of iTunes prior to 4.9 this was called "iTunes 4 Music Library.itl")
6. Open iTunes.
7. From the File menu, choose Import.

   Tip: Do not add any music into iTunes at this point.

8. Navigate to the iTunes Music Library.xml file on the Desktop.
9. Mac users: Click Choose.
   Windows users: Click Open.

After re-creating your library, any devices that you sync with iTunes (Apple TV, iPod, etc) will see your iTunes library as a new library and will completely resync."

For steps to backup and restore playlists see "iTunes: How to backup and restore playlists. "

If your podcasts list in iTunes is empty after following these steps, click here.

If the iTunes Music Library.xml file is not available, follow the "Add to library" steps in "iTunes: About the Add to Library, Import, and Convert functions" to add files back to the Library (because the iTunes Music Library.xml file is not available, playlists and other information will not be available).