How to move from 'iTunes for Windows' to Apple's new media apps without losing content

First, open iTunes and review all the music, TV shows, and movies in your library. Remove any content you no longer want. Look for duplicate content. You should also open File Explorer and browse through your iTunes Library folders to make sure all your content and the associated folders and files are organized properly.

To download and install the new apps from the Microsoft Store, click on the following links:

• Apple Music
• Apple TV
• Apple Devices

Open one of the media apps. Let's start with Apple Music. Sign in with your Apple account when prompted.

After signing into the Apple Music app, wait for your music library to pop up. Click on each of the folders on the sidebar -- Albums, Artists, Songs, and Playlists. Make sure all your albums are intact and try playing a few songs from different albums.

Next, open the Apple TV app. Select the folders in your Library for Movies and TV Shows to make sure all the content appears. Try playing a minute or two of different movies and TV shows.

Next, try the new Devices app to make sure you can back up and sync your iPhone or iPad. Open the app. The first time you do this, a message pops up telling you that Apple Mobile Device Support needs to be uninstalled. Click Continue and allow the tool to be removed.

Connect your iPhone or iPad to your PC. Click the Trust button and then type your passcode on your device.

First, try backing up your iPhone or iPad. Select one of the two options: Back up important data to iCloud, or Back up important data to this computer. If you wish to encrypt the data, check the box for Encrypt local backup and then type a password to secure the backup.

If the backup doesn't kick off automatically, click the Backup Now button and wait for it to complete. When the backup is finished, a bar at the bottom will show the amount of storage space used up.

Scroll down to the Options section. Check or uncheck any boxes depending on your preferences. Typically, I leave all four options unchecked.

Next, you'll want to try syncing your content. Music is a good place to start. Click the three-lined hamburger icon at the top of the left to display the sidebar and select Music.

Check the box for Sync music onto iPhone (or iPad). The first time you do this, you may receive a message asking if you want to remove your existing music, movies, TV shows, and books. Selecting Remove & sync will delete all your content, forcing you to resync it. Instead, click Cancel.

Recheck the box for Sync music onto iPhone. Make sure the option is enabled for selected artists, albums, genres, and playlists. Scroll down the window and choose how you want to select the music to sync. You can opt for Artist, Album, Genre, or Playlist. I typically go with Artist and then Playlist. Select the category you want to use and then check the boxes for the items you want to sync to your device. When ready, click Apply or Sync.

After the process is finished, the graph will show you how much space is taken on your device by all your content. Hover over each colored section on the graph to see the used space for each content type.

Click the hamburger icon and select Movies. Check the box for Sync movies onto iPhone. Check the boxes for the movies you want to sync to your iPhone or iPad and click Apply.

Click the hamburger icon and select TV Shows. Check the box for Sync TV shows onto iPhone. Check the boxes for the shows, seasons, or episodes you want to sync to your iPhone or iPad and click Apply.

To sync photos from your computer to your mobile device, click the hamburger icon and select Photos. Check the box for Sync photos onto iPhone from. Click the dropdown menu to the right and select the folder with the photos you want to sync.

To sync everything in that folder, keep the selection set to All folders. Otherwise, click the box for Selected folders and check the boxes for the folders you want to sync. Check the box for Include videos to sync any videos in the selected folders. When ready, click Apply.

After you've set up the new apps and synced your content, you should check iTunes, if only to make sure that your audiobooks and podcasts are still accessible. Open iTunes. By default, a message pops up telling you that music, movies, and TV shows are now available in the Apple Music and Apple TV apps. Check the box to prevent this message from appearing each time.

In iTunes, click the dropdown menu at the top and select Podcasts. Review all your podcasts and try to play a couple of episodes. Click the menu again and select Audiobooks. Check all your audiobooks and start playing a minute or two from selected titles.