How to move your digital music and video collection to Windows XP
Congratulations, you are about to experience the ultimate in digital music and video with Windows Media Player for Windows XP. But first, if you have copied music and video, such as MP3 and Windows Media Audio (WMA) files, to your computer using a previous version of Windows Media Player, there are some important steps to take before you move those digital media files to Windows XP.
Getting started
First, pick which upgrade scenario applies to you. Youll need this information for Step 2 below:
- Quick upgrade from your existing Windows operating system to Windows XP
- New installation of Windows XP on an existing computer
- New computer running Windows XP
For more information regarding which upgrade option is right for you, see the How-to article “Upgrading from Previous Versions of Windows”.
Three easy steps
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Step 1 - Prepare your digital music and video files |
- Go to the Personal License Update Wizard for Windows Media Player Web page, and then download and run the Personal License Update Wizard for Windows Media Player. This wizard will update licenses that have been issued for your WMA music and video to the latest version. This includes updates designed to make it easier to share music on home networks and gives you the ability to move and play your music on up to 10 computers. While the wizard is running, you may be prompted to upgrade Windows Media Player. After you have upgraded the Player, the wizard will resume.
Note: Depending upon the number of licensed music and video files you have on your computer, this step may take a while.
- Back up your licenses. For more information, see “To back up your licenses” in Windows Media Player Help.
For more information regarding licenses, see "Understanding licensed files" in Windows Media Player Help.
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Step 2 - Move your music and video files to Windows XP |
Follow the instructions for your Windows XP upgrade scenario. Once youve completed the steps for your scenario, continue on to Step 3.
Quick Upgrade to Windows XP
Follow these instructions if you are planning to upgrade your existing Windows operating system to Windows XP:
- During the upgrade process, your music and video files will be preserved and upgraded automatically. However, as with any upgrade, it is recommended that you back up any important files before upgrading.
- Install Windows XP upgrade. For more information, see the How-to articles “Windows XP Home Edition Quick Upgrade” or “Windows XP Professional Quick Upgrade.”
- If you have purchased music and video online, in Windows Media Player click Tools>License Management>Restore your licenses and follow the instructions. For more information, see "To restore your licenses" in Windows Media Player Help.
- Continue to Step 3.
New installation of Windows XP on an existing computer
Follow these instructions if you plan to do a new (clean) installation of Windows XP on your existing computer:
- Copy your music and video files and any other data files to your preferred backup device or media such as a Zip disk, burned CD, or another computer on your home network.
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IMPORTANT A new installation may delete program and system files from a previous installation. It is strongly recommended that you run the wizard and back up your digital music files before you install Windows XP. If not, you may need to re-copy (rip) your CDs to your computer. |
- Perform a new installation of Windows XP. For more information, see the How-to article "Windows XP New Installation"
- Copy your digital music and video files onto your newly upgraded computer.
- Restore your licenses. For more information, see “To restore your licenses” in Window Media Player Help.
- Continue to Step 3.
New computer running Windows XP
- From your existing computer, copy your music and video files as well as your backup license file to your preferred backup device or medium such as a Zip disk, burned CD, or another computer on your home network.
- Copy your digital music and video files from your backups to your new computer.
- Restore your licenses. For more information, see "To restore your licenses" in Window Media Player Help.
- Continue to Step 3.
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Step 3 - Play your music and video |
Congratulations! Now you are ready for the ultimate digital music and video experience. You can take full advantage of your digital music and video collection with the following new features:
- Play your music and video on multiple computers using a home network. For more information, see the How-to article “Home Networking.”
- Transfer and play your digital music and video files on up to 10 computers.
Playing music on your computer
If you upgraded to Windows XP, you can play all your digital media in Windows Media Player for Windows XP.
If you performed a new installation or purchased a new computer running Windows XP, the first time you play your music, you will be directed to the Personal License Migration Service Web site. This site will walk you through a quick process to save the licenses for your digital music library on that computer. Once that process is complete, you can play your music and video files in Windows XP!
Playing music on another computer (your laptop, home computer, or office computer), or on your home network
Now you can transfer and play your digital media files on up to 10 different computers. When you move digital music to a new computer, the first time you attempt to play it, you will be directed to the Personal License Migration Service Web site. This site will walk you through a quick process to save the licenses for your digital music library on that computer. Once that process is complete, you can play your music and video files on that computer.
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