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Itunes won't load on new computer.

I brought a new computer running Windows 11. I had them transferer all of my stuff off of my old computer onto my new one. Didn't see my iTunes on it so I downloaded iTunes onto this computer but when I try to open it, I get "The file "iTunes Library.itl" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes. What do I need to do to get my iTunes back? Thank you for your help. Jim

Windows, Windows 6

Posted on Sep 1, 2023 12:11 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 1, 2023 2:55 PM

If your library is in a non-standard location another possibility is that the preference file that records which .itl file to open has been reset or corrupted. This may cause iTunes to open or create a library at the standard path of <User's Music>\iTunes. In this event, press and hold down shift/option as you launch iTunes to reconnect to the correct library file.


In a similar vein it is possible that a corrupt preference file may cause iTunes to fail at launch with one of these errors:

  • The file iTunes Library.itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes.
  • The folder “iTunes” is on a locked disk or you do not have write permissions for this folder.
  • The iTunes Library.itl cannot be found or created. The default location for this file is in the 'iTunes' folder in the 'Music' folder.

It may be worth trying the shift-start-iTunes method (option on a Mac) to actively select the .itl file that should contain your library. If you still get the error message try Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows and/or check for interference from anti-virus software.


For more info, see:

Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrad… - Apple Community


4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 1, 2023 2:55 PM in response to jlowe51

If your library is in a non-standard location another possibility is that the preference file that records which .itl file to open has been reset or corrupted. This may cause iTunes to open or create a library at the standard path of <User's Music>\iTunes. In this event, press and hold down shift/option as you launch iTunes to reconnect to the correct library file.


In a similar vein it is possible that a corrupt preference file may cause iTunes to fail at launch with one of these errors:

  • The file iTunes Library.itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes.
  • The folder “iTunes” is on a locked disk or you do not have write permissions for this folder.
  • The iTunes Library.itl cannot be found or created. The default location for this file is in the 'iTunes' folder in the 'Music' folder.

It may be worth trying the shift-start-iTunes method (option on a Mac) to actively select the .itl file that should contain your library. If you still get the error message try Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows and/or check for interference from anti-virus software.


For more info, see:

Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrad… - Apple Community


Itunes won't load on new computer.

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