iTunes Help? very slow importing songs

jargey3000 said:

UPDATE: as suggested above, I just uninstalled the latest version of itunes & tried to install an older version- Version 12.10.11 for windows 64-bit.
I got this error message:"The file iTunes Library.itl" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes"

Now what??��*♂️

Removing your current iTunes and installing a previous version is part of the solution to use less resources, and stay on a version that works for you.

Keeping your music library is a different matter. It works pretty well while upgrading, because newer versions can read older libraries, but this doesn't work the same way going back in versions. You might want to import all your music from scratch, OR, you might want to install your previous version (compatible with your library) and then EXPORT your music library. This will create an XML file that you can import on a different iTunes version with the "import music list" function on the same area (file menu).

OK, no-one's asked... so I will.

Is this by any chance iTunes installed from the Microsoft Store?

If so, use something like Revo Uninstaller Free to get rid of it and install the standalone iTunes installer

Then post back if you're still having problems.

(iTunes for Windows has always been a kludge. In my experience it works perfectly every time on a macOS platform... but is an exercise in futility and frustration when ported to Windows... then exacerbated by trying (and failing) to make it a Store-delivered UWP app... IMO. )

Hope this helps...

which version, from that iTunes Installer link, should I install?:

Apple - Support - Downloads

jargey3000 said:

which version, from that iTunes Installer link, should I install?:

Apple - Support - Downloads

Apple used to show lots of more older versions, I see this is not the case anymore.

This is the version I use, from my personal archive. It's old, lacking features, but it works the way I like it, fast, consuming little resources, I have absolutely no issues with it. Try it, might be of your personal liking, or not.

The download will only be available for 7 days, it's free software.
Upload Files Easily | Fast File Upload and Sharing Up To 10GB

thanks hr......I might try that. but i guess i wud have to save my library as per above...not anxious to try doing that...
I might just stick with the new version...we'll see...

- - - Updated - - -

hroldan said:

Removing your current iTunes and installing a previous version is part of the solution to use less resources, and stay on a version that works for you.

Keeping your music library is a different matter. It works pretty well while upgrading, because newer versions can read older libraries, but this doesn't work the same way going back in versions. You might want to import all your music from scratch, OR, you might want to install your previous version (compatible with your library) and then EXPORT your music library. This will create an XML file that you can import on a different iTunes version with the "import music list" function on the same area (file menu).

if i understand the above, re exporting my library...the library would be saved on an .XML file....on my computer? which I could then import back into the new itunes?

jargey3000 said:

which version, from that iTunes Installer link, should I install?

It depends on your OS' 'bitness'. For Windows 10 running an x64 version then the direct download link is here.

Hope this helps...

jargey3000 said:

thanks hr......I might try that. but i guess i wud have to save my library as per above...not anxious to try doing that...
I might just stick with the new version...we'll see...

- - - Updated - - -



if i understand the above, re exporting my library...the library would be saved on an .XML file....on my computer? which I could then import back into the new itunes?

Yes, the XML file has wider compatibility, I do not know how far it goes, but I've been able to import it to diff versions without problem.

HELP!
ok....I think I exported my itunes library to an XML file.
Then I think I installed an older version of itunes on my PC
WHEN I OPENED itunes i got that error again about not being able to read the Library file....so I followed some instructions & got by that...i think...
But now I cant quire figure out how to import that Library XML file back into the new(old) itunes now on my PC. can anyone give me step-by-step instructons how to do that???
thanks

I'm using my Windows 10 desktop. I recently installed the latest version of itunes (version 12), & was finding the time to import selected songs from Cds to be really slow, compared to what it used to be, using older versions.
Came to the forum here for help. Got some advice about deleting the current itunes version & going back to an older version....but not being too technical, i think I may have balled things up!
As suggested, I tried to make an XML file of my itunes songs library, to import to an old version. I followed the instructions on this link:
How to Downgrade iTunes 12 for Windows to an Earlier Version

I seem to now have an XML file containing all my songs (approx. 170) , but it opens up under something called "Groove Music"???

I've uninstalled my old itunes program, and would appreciate ant instructions on
a) which older itunes version may work better (faster) for me
b) how to transfer , or import, or whatever this Groove Music xml file back into itunes

Hope someone can help...

jargey3000 said:

Hope someone can help...

This is how it worked for me:

Case 1: upgrading. Just install the new iTunes version, it will replace the old software, but when it detects your music and library file, it will keep it and use it to feed the new library file. Naturally, as you upgrade, your music library moves forward in versions, easily.

Case 2: downgrading (your case). Export your music library using iTunes export function, it will produce an XML file. Then uninstall your current iTunes software. You will likely end up with residual files, I suggest not deleting the folder containing the iTunes library, instead, rename from iTunes to it to "iTunes-old". Now install your older version (whatever your choice is), and let it end the process. Then use the import function (on FILE), and proceed to import your XML file, let it finish, and you will see your music library displayed on iTunes. Now, when you double click on the files, it might or might not work to play any music, why? because it depends on your iTunes configuration. IF... you have your music stored somewhere like C:\mymusic, then your files will still be there and your music library will work. BUT if you at some moment, told iTunes to keep your music library automatically organized, then all your files have bee copied to your Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\ folder, and because you renamed it, the files are not on the original location and you must move them back, manually. It's as simple as that.

Don't stress yourself too much. Most times it's transparent and easy, I've been lucky, ALWAYS, but I never tried EVERY iTunes version out there against any other version. But at least personally, this has worked for me, always.

About what you mention (Groove), don't double click on anything, follow what I suggested here.