New Itunes and playlists and music missing.

Hi, I am trying to move myy Itunes folder from my old computer to my new computer. I do not wish to consolidate my library. In the past I copied my .itl file across and that would allow to see all my music and playlists.

I am running Windows 11 and now running 12.13.10.3 iTunes. After copying my music to the same path on the old computer onto my new computer it loads empty apart from some purches.

Can someone help me please?

Posted on Oct 19, 2026 10:40 AM

2 replies

poonam_kumawat

Level 4 (1,080 points)

Oct 21, 2026 10:43 AM in response to Yort70

You shouldn’t need to consolidate your library. The key is to make sure iTunes opens the original iTunes Library.itl file from your old computer, rather than creating or opening a new, empty library.

Close iTunes on the new computer.
Make a backup copy of the entire transferred iTunes folder before making changes.
Hold down Shift while opening iTunes. When prompted, choose Choose Library.
Browse to the transferred folder and select the original iTunes Library.itl file.
If the library still appears empty, check that the .itl file is the correct one and that the music files remain at the same paths recorded in the old library.

More Info: Move your iTunes library to another computer.

Yort70 Author

Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 22, 2026 3:03 AM in response to poonam_kumawat

Hi,

Thank you for your reply and appears what I want. However when I try to add the library I now get the error:

"The iTunes library.itl is locked, on a locked disk or you do not have write permission for this file."

For completeness I am running Windows 11 and my library was copied from old computer to new computer maintaining the original paths,

TIA

Troy

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256379074