Verified answer

An answer I have started copying and pasting because it gets asked so often.

The following is based on how I got my iTunes library off an iPod classic on windows 7.

If you lose your iTunes library from your computer or are transferring to a new PC then iTunes will only transfer purchased items off of your iPod. This is not good if you have a lot of music and video that you added yourself. What follow is an easy, free way to get files off of your ipod without using any additional software other than iTunes.

iPods as standard are not set up to be browsable within Windows so the first thing to do is to enable disk use in iTunes for your iPod, if iTunes asks you to sync or transfer purchases etc just decline at the moment.

Now you should be able to browse your iPod like any other removable drive within Windows.

Make sure you have set windows to show hidden files and you will see a hidden folder called iPod_Control. This is where your files are stored in a folder called music.

Within the music folder is a list of folders F00, F01, F02 F03 etc which are also hidden and inside these are your music files all with nonsensical 4 letter names. This doesn't matter as the meta-data is still there containing the title artist etc.

Copy the music folder plus any other folders you think may contain files you need such as games to your computer (if you want to be sure to not miss anything just copy every folder and under properties choose to unhide it. iTunes will not import hidden files and folders.

Now simply add all these folders to iTunes and it will populate the iTunes library, drag and drop or file>Add Folder to Library. The best way now to get the files with better names is to consolidate the library. Before doing this ensure you have chosen to have iTunes manage your media library. This will copy all the files to the iTunes library and fix all the filenames to something more useful. This can fail though on some files if there is no metadata attached to them.

An iPod can be synced with only one iTunes account at a time. once you switched to a new iTunes account or a new computer. You have to authorize your iPod to it at first, then you can upload music and video from the new iTunes to your iPod. But this way will overwrite the original files on iPod with the new iTunes. You may try this iPod transfer, it can help you copy files from iPod to computer for backup, you can also use it as an iTunes alternative to upload music and video. It will not erase your original iPod files. It's safe and works pretty well for me.

You may take a look at this website, it collects 7 free iPod to computer transfers, they are safe without any limitation, I'm sure you will find one to transfer iPod music to iTunes or computer. I personally prefer to using sharepod.

http://www.freedvdripper.net/free-ipod-to-computer...

Glad to help you. Contact me if you need further help.

Only know iDump is free. But it does not support iPod Touch.

I personally used Tansee iPod Transfer http://www.gutensoft.com/Utilities/Tansee-iPod-Tra...

Many of my friends are using it for its easy and safe transfer.

More importantly, it won't overwrite any original files on your iPod. And all song names are preserved. This is quite a special feature it ensures. It needs a small fee, but I think it's worth it.

Best luck!

You can also search more at http://google.com/

Cucusoft iPod iPhone to computer transfer can transfer 100 songs to comptuer for FREE.

Here is a guide.

http://www.allmediacopy.com/how-to-transfer-ipod-p...

* Transfer / backup music, photos, videos and podcast from iPod/iPhone to computer

* Transfer files from iPod to iTunes

iDump is FREE, you can give it a try. But idump does not support ipod touch. So I personally use Cucusoft iPhone/iTouch/iPod to Computer Transfer.It helps me to transfer my songs/videos/photos/playlists etc from my ipod touch to my computer directly and safely.It works well for me.

Free download it at: http://www.ipodtocomputercopy.com/ipodconverter/ip...

Hope it helps.

You can keep asking on http://answers.yahoo.com/ or use http://www.ask.com/ to search more

Look at http://www.freedvdripper.net/free-ipod-to-computer... I haven't tried any of them except Songbird (and not on an iPod) but they claim to be free.

I heard this iPod to iPod/Computer/iTunes works pretty good on this.

AVCWare iPod to iPod/Computer/iTunes Transfer can quickly and easily transfer your iPod songs, vdieos, photos, playlists, ratings, and other info directly to iTunes, transfer music and videos from any iPod back to any Windows computer. It can also transfer music and videos from your iPod to iPhone or other iPods.

http://ipod-tool.com/ipod-software/ipod-to-ipod-co...

All types of iPod/iPhone are supported. It saved me time and money.

I advise you to use it. Really save time.

You can search more at http://google.com/

You can try a professional iPod to Computer Transfer.

http://www.topsoftcenter.com/avc-ipod-tranfer.html

This iPod to Computer Transfer can copy all your iPod files including iPod music, video, photo, tv shows, podcast to your computer.

It can help you backup all your iPod fiels to your local computer in case of the crash or lost of your iPod.

Download utorrent by searching it on google.com, after that go to thepiratebay,org look up a program Im too . And download it there will be a key , tell me if you need help or if you need me to email you the program , just do it in add detail or any other way. =)