Learn how to completely uninstall iTunes, QuickTime, and other essential software components from your Windows XP PC.
How ToFor Windows Vista or Windows 7, see this
article.
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some rare instances, it may be necessary to remove all traces of
iTunes, QuickTime, and related software components from your computer
before reinstalling iTunes.
Use the Control Panel to uninstall iTunes and related software components in the following order:
- iTunes
- QuickTime
- Apple Software Update
- Apple Mobile Device Support
- Bonjour
- Apple Application Support (iTunes 9 or later)
Important: You
may see various alert messages if you uninstall these applications in a
different order or only uninstall certain components.
For detailed steps on removing and reinstalling iTunes and related components on Windows XP, refer to the following steps:
Removing iTunes
Note:
iTunes Store purchases or songs imported from CDs are saved in your My
Music folder by default and are not deleted by removing iTunes.
- Quit iTunes.
- From the Start menu, choose Control Panel.
- In Control Panel, open Add or Remove Programs.
- Select iTunes from the list of currently installed programs, then click Remove.
- When asked if you would like to remove iTunes, select Yes.
- After the uninstallation is complete, do not restart your computer if you are prompted to.
- If other program entries were listed for iTunes in Add or Remove Programs, remove those as well.
- In Add or Remove Programs, remove any iPod Updater applications that are listed in the same fashion as iTunes was removed.
Removing QuickTime
- Quit QuickTime Player.
- From the Start menu, choose Control Panel.
- In Control Panel, open Add or Remove Programs.
- Select QuickTime from the list of currently installed programs, then click Uninstall.
- When asked if you would like to remove QuickTime, click Yes.
- After the uninstallation is complete, do not restart your computer if you are prompted to.
- If other program entries were listed for QuickTime in Add or Remove Programs, remove those as well.
Removing Apple Software Update
- Quit Apple Software Update.
- From the Start menu, choose Control Panel.
- In Control Panel, open Add or Remove Programs.
- Select Apple Software Update from the list of currently installed programs, then click Uninstall.
- When asked if you would like to remove Apple Software Update, click Yes.
- After the uninstallation is complete, do not restart your computer if you are prompted to.
- If other program entries were listed for Apple Software Update in Add or Remove Programs, remove those as well.
Removing Apple Mobile Device Support
- From the Start menu, choose Control Panel.
- In Control Panel, open Add or Remove Programs.
- Select Apple Mobile Device Support from the list of currently installed programs, then click Uninstall.
- When asked if you would like to remove Apple Mobile Device Support, click Yes.
- After the uninstallation is complete, do not restart your computer if you are prompted to.
Notes:
Do not manually delete the Mobile Device Support folder located at
C:Program FilesCommon FilesApple. Use Add or Remove Programs as
described in the steps above.
Removing Bonjour
- From the Start menu, choose Control Panel.
- In Control Panel click "Add or Remove Programs."
- Select Bonjour from the list of currently installed programs then click Uninstall.
- When asked if you would like to remove Bonjour click Yes.
- After the uninstallation is complete do not restart your computer if you are prompted to.
Removing Apple Application Support (iTunes 9 or later)
- From the Start menu, choose Control Panel.
- In Control Panel, open Add or Remove Programs.
- Select Apple Application Support from the list of currently installed programs, then click Uninstall.
- When asked if you would like to remove Apple Application Support, click Yes.
- After the uninstallation is complete, do not restart your computer if you are prompted to.
Verify iTunes and related components are completely uninstalled
- Restart your computer.
- After the computer restarts, open Local Disk (C:) located in Computer or whichever hard disk your programs are installed on.
- Open the Program Files folder.
- Right-click the iTunes folder, choose Delete, and choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion. Note: This folder may have already been deleted if iTunes was successfully removed.
- Right-click
the iPod folder, choose Delete, and choose Yes when asked to confirm
the deletion. Click Continue if Windows needs confirmation or permission
to continue.
- Right-click the QuickTime folder (if it
exists), choose Delete, and choose Yes when asked to confirm the
deletion. Click Continue if Windows needs confirmation or permission to
continue.
- Right-click the Bonjour folder (if it exists),
choose Delete, and choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion. Click
Continue if Windows needs confirmation or permission to continue.
- Open the Common Files folder.
- Right-click
the Apple folder (if it exists), choose Delete, and choose Yes when
asked to confirm the deletion. Click Continue if Windows needs
confirmation or permission to continue.
- Open Local Disk (C:) located in Computer or whichever hard disk your operating system is installed on.
- Open the Windows folder.
- Open the System32 folder.
- Right-click
the QuickTime file (if it exists), choose Delete, and choose Yes when
asked to confirm the deletion. Click Continue if Windows needs
confirmation or permission to continue.
- Right-click the
QuickTimeVR file (if it exists), choose Delete, and choose Yes when
asked to confirm the deletion. Click Continue if Windows needs
confirmation or permission to continue.
- Right-click the Recycle Bin and choose Empty Recycle Bin
Reinstalling iTunes and related components After verifying that iTunes is completely uninstalled, you should download and install the
latest version of iTunes.
Additional Information
iPodService.exe Alert Follow
these steps if the message, "Cannot delete iPodService.exe: It is being
used by another person or program" appears when you try to delete the
iPod folder.
- Make sure that iTunes and the iPod Updater utility are not open.
- Press and hold Control-Alt-Delete. Select Start Task Manager.
- Click the Processes tab.
- Locate "iPodService.exe" in the list.
- Click "iPodService.exe" and choose End Process.
- Quit the Task Manager.
I have the same problem and performed all the steps listed in the previous post including cleaning the registry, file system, installs records and startup files. When I reinstall either iTunes or Quicktime after all this, I get the same error. Time to look for the XP disk and do a clean install...
it wonte happen i called apple and microsoft it says it my acer and i cant fix it
Hey,I also faced the same problem.When I wanted install iTunes in my windows 10 then can't install itunes on windows 10.I tried many possible processes but could not be solved.
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