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I need to reinstall Windows on my PC. How can I backup iTunes - app store purchases, iPhone backups, media library, iTunes U - and restore it to the new iTunes installation after Windows reinstall? I am using Windows 7 and iTunes 9.
Iulian Chira
Posted 2010-02-11T18:56:26.433
Reputation: 365
11
The easiest way is to go to C:\Users\<Your Username>\Music\ and copy over your ENTIRE iTunes folder (sometimes called iTunes Music) to a USB drive or some other backup location. When you reinstall Windows, install iTunes, but don't open it. Go back to that directory, delete the iTunes folder the installer created and move your copied folder back. Everything will be identical to how it was before you reinstalled (save for, of course, iTunes settings).
squircle
Posted 2010-02-11T18:56:26.433
Reputation: 6 365
1This will work on Windows as well as OS X; iTunes is nice that it keeps everything in one directory. This solution also assumes you have your entire music library consolidated in the iTunes Music folder (if iTunes is set to manage your music for you then you're ok). If not, now would be a good time to do so. – squircle – 2010-02-12T16:45:28.183
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Things to do:
%appdata% and copy the Apple folder. This takes care of your iPhone backup files.
Sathyajith Bhat
Posted 2010-02-11T18:56:26.433
Reputation: 58 436
If you install iTunes from the Windows Store, the iOS backups will be in the %UserProfile%\Apple directory rather than %AppData%\AppleComputer. – Steve – 2018-04-29T15:38:23.383
1Good question. You have my sympathy in advance. – DaveParillo – 2010-02-11T23:39:53.643
Please i need to do that but the folder doesnt appears, could it be because i dont connect the iphone yet? do i have to do that and then copy the entire folder? please help me!!! – None – 2012-02-02T04:02:48.203