iTunes sits in memory but doesn't launch

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Level 1

7 points

iTunes sits in memory but doesn't launch

Hi, I have been having an issue with my iTunes install on my Windows 10 machine where when i go to launch it, it sits in memory but doesn't launch in the time frame it used to. Before, it would launch within seconds, now i'll be lucky if it launches within 5-10 minutes. On an SSD, this is pretty poor performance. When it does eventually launch, or at least when the window comes up, i still have to wait some time before i can click on anything within the program. But when i can get in, it behaves as quick as it normally would behave.

The troubleshooting steps i have taken are as follows:

uninstalled, restarted, reinstalled
made sure iTunes had everything allowed in the firewall
cleaned the registry

Posted on Mar 8, 2019 11:17 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

turingtest2

Level 10

272,795 points

Mar 8, 2019 12:42 PM in response to mknabster

See the second box in Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates for detailed tear down and rebuild advice. Disable any non-Microsoft anti-virus software when reinstalling and run the installer as the administrator.

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

272,795 points

Mar 8, 2019 11:33 AM in response to mknabster

If iTunes is apparently installed correctly try the following in turn until iTunes opens/closes/reopens/connects to the store normally:

Remove any SD card that might be in a card reader.
Exit the BTTray.exe Bluetooth utility if installed.
Locate the shortcut for iTunes, right-click on it, and select Run as administrator. Doing this once may fix certain launch issues. Some users were finding that with the 12.6.1.25 build, for example, they had to use this method every time and modified the shortcut accordingly.
Try holding ctrl+shift as you launch iTunes so it opens in safe-mode. Again doing this once may sometimes help.
Try disconnecting your computer from the Internet before running iTunes.
Delete the iTunes shortcuts from the start menu, desktop, task bar, or similar, then repair iTunes from the programs and features control panel.
Try Fix unexpected quits or launch issues in iTunes for Windows - Apple Support and test the behaviour in a different user profile or with a different library. If the problem only exists in your profile it may be possible to delete some of the iTunes preference files which it would seem that iTunes may be choking on. We can go into details later if the issue is limited to your own profile.
Temporarily disable any non-Microsoft anti-virus and see if that has any impact on the behaviour.
See the second box in Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates for detailed tear down and rebuild advice. Disable any non-Microsoft anti-virus software when reinstalling and run the installer as the administrator.
If you installed iTunes from the Microsoft Store you may find the traditional iTunesSetup.exe installer works better for you.
Or see the iTunes installers section of the troubleshooting tip and reinstall the last version that worked correctly for you. Note that iTunes 12.6.5.3 or iTunes 12.8.0.150 are the minimum versions required for devices running iOS 12.

tt2

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

272,795 points

Mar 8, 2019 12:12 PM in response to mknabster

You can create a new user profile specifically for the purpose of testing.

Try holding down shift while starting iTunes in case you need to get it to connect to the right .itl file.

See Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows - Apple Community in case that is the issue.

Remove and reinstall iTunes, running the installer as the administrator.

tt2

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Answer 4

mknabster Author

Level 1

7 points

Mar 8, 2019 12:07 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks for your response turingtest2! To your points:

No SD cards or removable media plugged in

Bluetooth not applicable

Set it as run as admin, no change

held ctrl-shift and launched iTunes, received prompt for safe mode where i pressed continue, but then it sat again

Disconnected from the Internet, no change

deleted shortcuts and tried launching from the EXE in program files, no change

I don't have other user profiles on this machine so i can't test in anything else, but i am curious as to what preferences can be deleted.

I did disable my firewall but no change

I actually used the normal Windows installer for iTunes so not from the Windows store

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Answer 5

mknabster Author

Level 1

7 points

Mar 8, 2019 12:25 PM in response to turingtest2

All right, I gave it a go. Created a test user account with Admin rights, launched iTunes, the terms and conditions popped up, accepted them, then it sat in processes. I only have one iTunes library, and on that profile, there was nothing set up.

At this point, i reinstalled iTunes twice with no change. Are there files that the uninstaller leaves behind that i could try deleting manually?

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