'iTunes Software Licence Agreement' every time I open iTunes

Just checking something before proceeding ... do you get a "configuring iTunes" message as well when you try to launch iTunes?

🙂 Thanks, Evve. That rules out a few possibilities.

I can think of two main remaining possibilities with this ... either a damaged configuration file (which would produce a systemwide issue on your PC), or a damaged iTunes preferences file (which would produce an issue which is localised to a single Vista user account).

So, let's try an experiment aimed at determining which of these we're most likely to be dealing with.

From the Start menu, choose Control Panel.
Open Add or remove user accounts (If using the Classic View in Windows Vista, open User Accounts. Then open Manage another account).
Select Create a new account and follow the instructions to complete the account setup process. (Give the new account full administrative rights.)
Once the new account is created, choose Log Off from the Start menu. Log into the newly created user account. (Don't use Fast User Switching to move between accounts.)

In the other account, try launching iTunes. The iTunes Setup assistant will run. Don't add files to the library when prompted. Let it eventually open to an empty library.

Now close itunes, and open it again, in the new user account.

Do you get the licensing agreement again in there too? Or do you get a launch without the licensing agreement?

🙂 yep, let's investigate the preference files possibility.

First, quit iTunes and log back into your usual user account.

Next, we'll have to set your PC up to view hidden files and folders.

From the Start menu, click Open.
In the Organize menu, click Folder and Search Options.
Click the View tab.
In the "Advanced settings" pane under "Hidden files and folders" make sure that the "Show hidden files and folders" option is selected.
Click OK.

Now, in Computer, open "Local Disk C:".
Open the "Users" folder.
Open the folder with the name of your usual user account.
Open the "AppData" folder.
Open the "Local" folder.
Open the "Apple Computer" folder.

Drag the "iTunes" folder you see in there out onto the Desktop. Now launch iTunes. (This will cause iTunes to rebuild that set of preference files.) *The license agreement will appear for you again.* (That is expected behavior when that particular set of preference files is being rebuilt.)

Now, quit iTunes, and launch her one more time ... does the License agreement appear for you this time, with the fresh set of preference files in place? Or do you get a normal launch?

🙂 Excellent news. Glad things are working properly for you again.

Did the trick for me as well, many thanks, it was so, so irritating and took forever to load. Now nearly as fast as you, Superman.....

🙂 Good to hear! Glad things are working for you too, Steve.

Hi

I also have this problem, but it does give me a "configuring iTunes" message when I try to launch iTunes.

Any ideas?

Ian

Does the issue seem to be systemwide or is it specific to a single user account on the system, Ian?

hi there b noir.. im having the same problem as above.

Ive followed everything you said...
I created a new windows user account and its opening normaly in the new account...
Though on my own account, its still comming up with the "set up" screens before it starts.. any other ideas i could try?

as ive said ive followed everything youve posted here, thanks man

*Replying to Gareth L*

Though on my own account, its still comming up with the "set up" screens before it starts.. any other ideas i could try?

iTunes setup assistant runs every time you launch, user-account-specific issue ... I think your other set of iTunes preference files (in your normal user account) might be damaged, Gareth. (Have experimented with this on my XP PC ... rebuild one set and the license agreement runs, rebuild the other set and the iTunes Setup assistant runs. So damage to the 'other" set might be causing your relentless-setup-assistant thing.)

So, we'll try swapping out your other set of pref files. Here's Windows 7 instructions. Make a note of any custom preferences you have set up, because this procedure will return everything to default that wasn't returned to default by rebuilding the other set. You might also have to reinstall any third-party iTunes add-ons/plug-ins after doing this one, too.

Here's Windows 7 instructions for rebuilding "the other set" *(Step 10* contains the crucial difference from the license-agreement-problem instructions).

First, quit iTunes if you have it open.

Next, you'll need to make sure you are set up to view hidden files and folders in Vista (or 7).

1. From the Start menu, click Open.
2. In the Organize menu, click Folder and Search Options.
3. Click the View tab.
4. In the "Advanced settings" pane under "Hidden files and folders" make sure that the "Show hidden files and folders" option is selected.
5. Click OK.

Next, you'll remove the iTunes preference folder (and contained file).

6. In Computer, open Local Disk: C or whichever drive your documents are stored on.
7. Open the Users folder.
8. Open the folder with the name of the Vista (or 7) user account in which iTunes always shows the setup assistant in when launching.
9. Open the AppData folder.
10. Open the Roaming folder.
11. Open the Apple Computer folder.
12. Drag the iTunes folder out onto the Desktop.

Now you'll rebuild the preference folder and file.

13. Launch iTunes. This will cause iTunes to rebuild that preference folder and file. *The setup assistant will appear for you again.* (That is expected behavior when that particular preference folder and contained file are being rebuilt.)
14. Now quit iTunes and launch iTunes again. If the preference folder and contained file have been successfully rebuilt, the setup assistant should not appear this time.

... any luck with that?

b noir.. Thank you SO much!

it worked a treat, its opening as normal now.
you have been really helpful, Im not that computer educated but your helping guides are the best I've ever seen.

a meaningfull, Thank you once again.
your time is appreciated

🙂 Excellent news, Gareth.

Many thanks for your kind words ... but give yourself a pat on the back too. There's a few more possible causes of the relentless-iTunes-Setup-assistants than there are for the relentless-iTunes-license-agreements. Your observation about the other user account allowed us to narrow in on the preference files as being the most likely possibility.