Poking around this topic here I wasn't able to find an answer. First one said to use iTunes, but it only offers Podcast or Audiobook as the media type and I couldn't change it as there was only Podcast or Audio Book as the drop down media options. Another direction was to choose import on Apple Music but there was no option for it in settings (...).
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Windows, Windows 11 (26200)
You have installed one or more of Apple Music, Apple TV, or Apple Devices for Windows. Once installed these apps cripple iTunes such that it only manages audiobooks and podcasts. As you have discovered Apple Music for Windows is not really a suitable replacement for iTunes, lacking many features such as the ability to rip CDs. You can rip a CD as an audiobook in iTunes, then locate the ripped files, add them to your Apple Music library, and delete them from iTunes. It is an ugly workflow. I would strongly recommend removing all three of the newer apps which will restore the suppressed features of iTunes.
tt2
You have installed one or more of Apple Music, Apple TV, or Apple Devices for Windows. Once installed these apps cripple iTunes such that it only manages audiobooks and podcasts. As you have discovered Apple Music for Windows is not really a suitable replacement for iTunes, lacking many features such as the ability to rip CDs. You can rip a CD as an audiobook in iTunes, then locate the ripped files, add them to your Apple Music library, and delete them from iTunes. It is an ugly workflow. I would strongly recommend removing all three of the newer apps which will restore the suppressed features of iTunes.
tt2
There is no way to import music from CDs in Apple Music for Windows. You still can in iTunes, but would need to uninstall Apple Music (and TV or Devices if you installed those as well) to allow iTunes to go back to its original functionality.
Thanks TuringTest2 - I had no idea. I thought I had to have both iTunes and Apple Music (I don't subscribe) and have been playing with MediaMonkey for a few months but it seems they are all "ugly" options. Just deleted Apple Music and there you go - iTunes has Music available again. Now to get it to find my library....
I'm sure the official line is that iTunes is no longer supported, despite the latest build being released less than two weeks ago. I don't think it helps that there is a subscription product called Apple Music, that has the same name as the software that is supposed to replace iTunes, Apple Music (for Windows). Switching to Apple Music (for Windows) doesn't mean that you need to subscribe to the Apple Music cloud music service.
See Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates - Apple Community for advice on fully tearing down your existing iTunes installation before reinstalling. This will generally allow iTunes to function correctly, once Apple Music/TV/Devices are removed.
tt2
Have you attempted a full tear down and deep clean of iTunes before rebooting and reinstalling iTunes? It should be possible to get it back into a useable state. Holding down shift-ctrl when launching iTunes can perform some internal housekeeping on the library database if the underlying cause of your problems is in that rather than the software installation.
tt2
For general advice see Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates.
The steps in the second box are a guide to removing everything related to iTunes and then rebuilding it which is often a good starting point unless the symptoms indicate a more specific approach. When reinstalling right click on the downloaded setup file and use run as administrator. It may also help to temporarily disable any non-Microsoft anti-virus.
Review the other boxes and the list of support documents further down the page in case one of them applies.
The further information area has direct links to the current and recent builds in case you have problems downloading, or want to revert to an older version if the current one won't work properly for you at the moment. Links to the most recent builds are now at the bottom of the page.
Your library and device backups should be unaffected by these steps but there are links to backup and recovery advice should it be needed.
tt2
Thanks tt2!
Let me give you the back story. About a month ago iTunes stopped syncing with my iPods. Visiting the Genuis Bar Apple told me they don't support it any longer which is ridiculous; they want you to pay for Apple Music but I've been using iTunes for years and have a considerable library, and was fine-tuning my playlists almost daily. One friend suggested uninstalling iTunes then reinstalling. I did that and everything populated just fine but iTunes crashed every time I went into one of the bigger playlists. On the phone with Apple support they told me to get Apple devices and Apple Music which I did. The playlists were there but now the importing problem. Argh.
so it's Sophie's choice; use apple music where I can theoretically sync my pods or iTunes and be able to import my own music though I can't access my main playlists as they crash iTunes. I'm going to attempt tt2's ugly workaround.
A back injury stymied my progress here, so please bear with me.
tt2 I'm trying the 'ugly' route as I want to continue syncing my pod with new stuff and updating playlists as I told you iTunes crashes when I click on one of the bigger playlists. I imported a disc, found it in Audiobooks and dropped and dragged it into iTunes, Only problem is it doesn't show in Apple Music. I tried dragging the folder to Apple Music's Automatically add file but no dice.
Ah and now the problems. So I imported the missing CDs into iTunes. All good. But when I want to sync my iPhone it says I need to download Apple Music again which then cripples iTunes.
So I plan to spend a few more weeks ensuring the iTunes library is up to date with my CDs (I bought an HP pc a few months ago replacing an Apple Mac) then reinstall Apple Music and sync with my iPhone then… cross fingers
iTunes should be able to sync media to an iPhone provided you don't use the Apple Music or iTunes Match subscription services, and you haven't installed any of Apple Music/TV/Devices for Windows. The current iOS firmware might recommend Apple Music, since that is clearly Apple's intended direction, but iTunes will still work once any potential driver/services/trust issues are ironed out.
tt2
💃💃💃💃💃
it works. Thanks so much. Been wrestling with this issue since April when I got the new pc!!! Just wanted to sync my phone and computer music playlists etc. not much to ask. Thanks so much!!
If you have instructions on the deep cleaning, I'd be much obliged.
Thanks TT2. I shall try that out today 🤞🏼
Importing a cd into Apple Music/iTunes (Windows 11)
