"iTunes has stopped working" after upgrade to 12.10.10

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Level 1

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"iTunes has stopped working" after upgrade to 12.10.10

I upgraded to iTunes version 12.10.10 on my Windows 7 system yesterday. It seemed to install properly. When I start it, it seems to start properly, but within 20 seconds Windows reports that "iTunes has stopped working" and terminates it.

I tried holding down Ctrl+Shift when I started it, to get into the "safe" mode, but it still crashes the same way as before.

I tried reinstalling. It didn't help.

I plan to try uninstalling and reinstalling, and if that doesn't help, I'll try installing an older version, but I think I need the latest version to manage music on my iPhone SE (2nd gen.)?

-Albert.

Posted on Jan 17, 2021 4:01 AM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jan 20, 2021 2:37 PM in response to Cronstaal

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.

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jan 22, 2021 11:40 AM in response to Cronstaal

Not that then. Try a full tear down and rebuild again, run the installer as the administrator when reinstalling. If that still doesn't work try one of these:

iTunes 12.10.9.3 for Windows (32-bit) - iTunesSetup.exe (2020-09-15)
iTunes 12.10.9.3 for Windows (64-bit) - iTunes64Setup.exe (2020-09-15)

tt2

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Answer 3

Cronstaal Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 17, 2021 5:00 AM in response to Cronstaal

I found a solution. If I block iTunes from connecting to the Internet, it does not crash!

Now I know the problem has something to do with the way iTunes uses the Internet.

Is there anything else that I can do? Blocking Internet keeps some features of iTunes from working

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Answer 4

Cronstaal Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 24, 2021 4:21 AM in response to turingtest2

iTunes 12.10.9.3 does not crash, at least not so far. I can access the iTunes store and listen to samples of music.

-A.

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Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jan 21, 2021 11:48 AM in response to Cronstaal

Check for malware with a free trial of Malwarebytes.

tt2

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Answer 6

Cronstaal Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 21, 2021 9:07 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks for your ideas tt2. I went through your list(*), and I found that the only thing that helps is to prevent iTunes from connecting to the Internet. I was actually expecting that using a different account (I created an "itunes" user for the purpose) would help, but it didn't. It is also interesting that running in safe mode does not help -- apparently the mode isn't that "safe".

(*) it would, however, have taken too long to try *every* suggestion in your in-depth troubleshooting guide, so I skimmed for parts that seemed relevant. If there is something specific you think I should try, I'll look into it.

-Albert.

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Answer 7

Cronstaal Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 21, 2021 8:27 AM in response to BillBolbbit

> How do you block iTunes from connecting the Internet ?

You can disconnect the whole machine, or you can set up a rule in the firewall to block only iTunes. Click the "Start" button, search for "firewall", select "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security", select "Outbound Rules", select "New Rule...", select "Program", next "Browse" and select the iTunes executable, next choose "Block the connection", and the rest is probably understood.

-Albert.

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Answer 8

Cronstaal Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 22, 2021 9:41 AM in response to turingtest2

> Check for malware with a free trial of Malwarebytes.

There is only one file reported as suspect, and it is (almost certainly) not malware. The file is "C:\Program Files (x86)\SP-Forth\SPF4WC.EXE", and is part of a package implementing the FORTH programming language. Malwarebytes refers to:

https://blog.malwarebytes.com/detections/machinelearning-anomalous-100/

-Albert.

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