Q: Unable to Install, Repair, or Uninstall Apple Software Update on Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64
About three months ago (maybe longer), Apple Software Update would detect a new version of ITunes. When I ran the installer, it would fail with some error that I can't remember. Today, I realized that Apple Software Update hasn't run for a while, so I tried to open ITunes. When I did, it recommended I update to the latest version. I downloaded the latest installer (12.3.1 for Windows x64), and attempted to run it. I keep getting the error, "There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor."
Naturally, the first step I took was to search for the error. I came up with the following Apple Support page:
When I tried to run Apple Software Update, I was getting some error about being unable to find the security descriptor. It seemed to be a problem with the file in general, as right-clicking the shortcut generated the same error. I have since deleted the shortcut. The next advise in that article is to repair Apple Software Update. When I try that, I get a dialog box that says, "The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable." If I extract the contents of the ITunes installer using 7Zip, then use the path to that AppleSoftwareUpdate.msi file, I don't get an error, but nothing appears to have changed. If I run "repair" on that installer directly, I get the error "This action is only valid for products that are currently installed."
No matter what I try, I can't get Apple Software Update to install (fails with aforementioned "There is a problem with this..." message), repair (silently does nothing or fails with the aforementioned "This action is only valid..." message), uninstall (fails with the same message as the installer), or run. Does anyone have any ideas how I can get one of these four actions to succeed? Here are some other links that I have tried, along with what I am seeing on my machine.
Performing these actions had no effect on my symptoms. This page also contained a link to:
Unable to do this because I can't uninstall Apple Software Update.
Unable to uninstall apple software update
This particular user had another entry that appeared to indicate that the page here (If you see error 0x80090318 when you try to open the iTunes Store - Apple Support) helped him resolve it, by locating non-Bonjour winsock providers. When I take those steps, my only provider is Bonjour.
I have continued looking for a solution on a number of websites, but nothing seems to have any advice that helps in my particular situation. I was able to uninstall my old version of ITunes and install the new one, by extracting the contents of the ITunes installer using 7Zip and only running iTunes6464.msi (the full installer installs a bunch of other stuff, including Apple Software Update, which is failing on my machine). However, I would like to get Apple Software Update working on my machine. I appreciate any ideas or advice.
-Jeff
Windows 7, Ultimate SP1 x64
Posted on Oct 29, 2015 10:00 AM
Try the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Utility. The webpage won't currently offer to download it for Windows 10 users but the direct link http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9779673 seems to work OK, and the program appears to perform as intended.
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.
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, need to revert to an older version or want to try the iTunes for Windows (64-bit - for older video cards) release as a workaround for installation or performance issues, or compatibility with QuickTime or third party software.
Your library and device backups should be unaffected by these steps but there are links to backup and recovery advice should it be needed.
If the issue persists and you have a 64-bit system try the for older video cards version which is a 64-bit installer for mostly 32-bit code, similar to all 64-bit versions of iTunes up to 12.1.
If you've tried the above without success then see the method in Install missing components. What component fails to install, and what error message does it give? See this post for steps to produce detailed logs of the installation which may reveal why iTunes won't install.
tt2
Posted on Oct 29, 2015 2:16 PM