Skip to main content

How To: Sync an iPod without deleting your music (on PCs)

iPod ClassicSometimes your computer dies and if you haven’t backed up your files, you may have just lost all of your music. Maybe you buy a new computer but you’ve still got your music loaded up on your iPod, or you’re plugging your iPod into a friend’s computer.

Every time you plug an iPod into a new computer, iTunes prompts you to sync the mp3 player with that iTunes library and the music that’s there. If you sync your iPod all of your music will be automatically deleted. 

Recommended Videos

We’re here to help you prevent losing all of your music. We have a step-by-step process to help you.

A couple of notes before we begin:

– This how-to is for PCs, not Macs. Some of the steps might be transferrable but this is aimed at PC users.

– This does not work for iPod Touches.

– You can try an iPod ripper but many of the programs that do this tend to cost money and the free ones are hard to find or don’t work very well. Our process below is free and doesn’t take up too much time.

1. Either click the ‘My Computer’ icon on your desktop or click ‘Start’ on the taskbar then ‘My Computer. Next click ‘Tools’ followed by ‘Folder Options’. Now, click the ‘View’ tab. A large list will come up, you need to scroll down it until you come across ‘Show hidden files and folders’. Click on that and then click ‘OK’. Minimize the ‘My Computer’ window.

2. Plug your iPod into the computer and open iTunes.

3. Click the iPod icon on the left side of the iTunes window. A box may appear that will ask if you want to sync the ipod with the computer. Do NOT click ‘Yes’. If you do click ‘Yes’ your music will be deleted. 

4. At the bottom of the iTunes window click the ‘Enable disk use’ box. 

5. Bring ‘My Computer’ back up. You should see the name of your iPod and in icon for it located under the ‘Devices with Removable Storage’. Double-click the iPod icon.

6. Open the folder titled ‘iPod_Control’ folder, then open the ‘Music’ folder.

7. Highlight all of the folders in the ‘Music’ folder. You can do this manually or you can use the short cut hitting the “CTRL” and “A” keys at the same time. Once you’ve highlighted all of the folders, copy them. 

8. Paste the folders to your desktop. If you’re afraid of cluttering your desktop you can try copying the entire ‘Music’ folder by only copying that folder specifically and pasting it onto your desktop. If that doesn’t work for you refer back to Step 7. 

9. Go back to your iTunes. Click ‘File’ then choose ‘Add Folder to Library’. Select one of the folders that you put on the desktop. The songs in that folder will then be added to the iTunes library. Rinse and repeat for all of the other folders.

10. Click the disconnect iPod button in iTunes. Wait about 10 seconds and then reconnect the iPod. Now, when you click the iPod icon in iTunes say ‘Yes’ to the prompt to sync your iPod. 

Because you added your music to the new iTunes library you won’t lose any of the songs and might even add a few. 

Topics
Scott Younker
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Here’s how iOS 18 is going to overhaul your iPhone’s email app
An iPhone showing the home screen in someone's hand.

We're just days away from Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2024), which means we're about to get our first look at iOS 18. The new iPhone operating system is expected to get RCS texting in the iMessage app, more customization options for the home screen, and maybe a significant design change overall. Now comes word that changes will be made to the native Mail app.

According to AppleInsider, the Mail app is about to undergo a significant transformation. It's getting a powerful new search tool, Smart Replies, automatic sorting for different email types, and more. But the real excitement lies in the app's expected integration of AI functionality, a feature becoming a hallmark of iOS 18.

Read more
Be careful with your iPhone! Repairing it just got more expensive
Someone holding an iPhone 15 Pro Max outside on a patio, showing the back of the Natural Titanium color.

According to 9to5Mac, Apple has significantly changed its repair and standard warranty policies — potentially resulting in higher repair costs for iPhones and Apple Watches.

The policy change pertains to “single hairline cracks.” In the past, this type of problem was covered by the standard warranty for these products. However, it is now being treated as “accidental damage,” with customers being required to pay for the repair.

Read more
Have an iPhone that won’t turn off? Here’s how to fix it
person holding an iphne 15 pro max.

When you try to turn off your iPhone 15 or any other model, you may encounter a situation where it doesn’t turn off as expected. Maybe you're getting ready for bed, want to keep your phone silent while you head to the movies, or it's acting up and you need to reset it. There are numerous situations where you may want to turn your iPhone off, and if it refuses to, that can obviously be quite annoying.

Read more