For the Record.

How to backup Itunes library?

Summary

One way to back up your iTunes Library is to consolidate your library into one folder and then copy that folder to an external hard drive. This is a painless process that only takes a few moments to accomplish.

Note: If you would prefer to back up your iTunes Library by burning your library to CD or DVD click here.

Products Affected

iTunes 7 for Mac, iTunes 7 for Windows, iTunes 9, iTunes 8 for Windows, iTunes 8 for Mac

Step 1: Consolidating Your iTunes Library

To make the move as easy as possible, it's important to make sure all of the items in your library are in one place.

1. Open iTunes Preferences:
   Mac: Choose iTunes > Preferences.
   Windows: Choose Edit > Preferences.
2. Click Advanced.
3. Make sure the option to "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library" is selected.

   

4. Click OK.
   
   Note: After you click OK, iTunes copies any music files that weren't in the iTunes Music folder, and places the copies in the folder. The original files are left in their original locations. To save space on your hard disk, you might want to delete the original files.
5. Choose File > Library > Organize Library.
6. Select the option to "Consolidate files." Note: If you recently updated to iTunes 9, you might want to consider selecting the option to "Upgrade to iTunes Media organization." This updates the file organization of your iTunes Music folder.
   
7. Click OK.

Step 2: Copy iTunes folder to your external hard drive

To copy all the items in your iTunes library (including the iTunes Library file that holds all your playlists, playcounts, ratings, and other data) to your external hard drive, follow these steps:

1. Quit iTunes.
2. Locate your external hard drive.
   Mac OS X: On the desktop or Finder sidebar.
   Windows: In My Computer
3. Locate your iTunes folder:
   By default, the iTunes folder is located in:
   Mac OS X: /Users/username/Music
   Windows: \Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\

   If the iTunes folder is not in the default location listed above then you can find where the iTunes folder is located by following these instructions:

   1. Open your iTunes Preferences:
      Mac: Choose iTunes > Preferences.
      Windows: Choose Edit > Preferences.
   2. Click Advanced.
   3. The location of your iTunes folder will be listed in iTunes Media folder location box, as pictured below.

      

4. Drag the iTunes folder to your external hard drive. This can take a while if you have a lot of items.

   

5. When the transfer is complete, your iTunes Library will have been successfully copied to your external hard drive.

Credit to APPLE!