When you try to start Apple iTunes for Windows or MacOS, you get an error message that says:
The iTunes Library.itl file is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have write permission for this file.
This happens commonly because, somehow the iTunes Library.itl file got set as read only. You can fix this by doing the following steps.
Windows Option 1 – Windows File Settings
- Navigate to the location of your iTunes Library.itl file. It is usually found at “C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes”
- Right-click the “iTunes Library.itl” file, then choose “Properties“.
- Uncheck “Read-only“.
- If you have a “Security” tab, select it. Ensure that your account has “Full Control” permissions to the file. If you don’t have this tab, ignore this step.
- Click “OK“.
Windows Option 2 – Using Attrib
This option is for expert users who know their way around a Command Prompt. These steps will set the iTunes folder where they are readable again.
- Open a Command Prompt by pressing the “Windows Key” + “R“.
- Type “CMD” then press “Enter“.
- Navigate to the location where the music files are located. For Windows 7 users, it’s normally in the C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media folder.
- Type “attrib *.* -r +a -s -h /s“, then press “Enter“.
This command may take a few minutes to run. Once complete, try to open iTunes again.
MacOS Option
- Exit iTunes.
- From the Finder, press “Command“, “Shift“, and “G“.
- Type “~/Music/iTunes/“, then press “Enter“.
- In the iTunes folder, there should be a “iTunes Library.itl” file. Rename this file to “iTunes Library.old“.
- Open the “Previous iTunes Libraries” folder.
- Find a file that says “iTunes Library <date>.itl” where the <date> is the most current date you can find.
- Move the “iTunes Library <date>.itl” file to the “~/Music/iTunes/” folder.
- Rename the “iTunes Library <date>.itl” file to “iTunes Library.itl“.
- Now try to start iTunes.
If none of the above steps work for you, it may be a bit more complex. Some people have told me they just delete the “iTunes Library.itl” file or delete everything in the “C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes” folder except “iTunes Media“, and it works for them. I think it’s risky to do that since you could lose data, but you may want to give that a try if you’re desperate.
v says
worked on windows 10! thanks so much!
Denis says
I have used Onyx (on Mac). ran it and repaired Permissions. And everything works again.
Mikey says
just delete those three and open iTunes it will generate fresh files
Steve says
Thank you so much!! This worked on my Mac.
oyeniyi ayobami says
thank you it was really helpful, but after the library the library extra also got locked but repeated the process and it worked. thank you
Jon says
I had this problem, but I had the far superior CopyTrans Manager open at the same time. Closed CopyTrans, all OK.
Nicola Jones says
I right clicked the library file, chose properties then advance. I then unchecked the ‘file is ready to archive’ box, saved and it opened iTunes
xying says
Hi Joerg, I just replaced the itl file, but it doesn’t work. Could you tell me where I can get the Genius.itdb and Extras.itdb to replace. Thanks a lot!
joerg voellger says
I replaced the 3 files “iTunes Library .itl; iTunes Library Genius.itdb and iTunes Library Extras.itdb” by the files from my old macbook then I renamed the files,
after restart and an update, it works fine.
Thank You for the help